[Wolves] Need some help!

[Helen Randle]

> Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2003 19:29:50 +0100 (BST)
> From: Peter Oliver <p.d.oliver@mavit.freeserve.co.uk>
> To: wolves@mailman.lug.org.uk
> Subject: Re: [Wolves] Need some help!
> Reply-To: wolves@mailman.lug.org.uk
> 
> On Sun, 10 Aug 2003, Helen Randle wrote:
> 
> > Having been on the list for a few days now, and been reading the
> > messages, I thought it was about time I posted something.
> 
> Erk, hope the uncharacteristic arguing hasn't scared you :-)
I've been on scarier!! :-)
> 
> > I need some advice on what Linux to go for. I'm kind of drawn
> > towards the off the shelf in a box type, as they seem easiest to
> > work with (I'm not a computer novice, but I don't get all the kernel
> > and stuff!),
> 
> By buying a boxed set you save yourself the bother of downloading a
> distribution, get printed manuals, and perhaps a limited amount of
> telephone support.
ok
> 
> If you have broadband internet 
I don't
>you can probably quite happily get away
> without any of these, but it's up to you.  For example, Redhat have
> online manuals at "http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/linux/", but
> remember that you won't be able to get at them if you're computer's
> down.
> 
> > but there are quite a few to choose from.
> 
> Indeed, and at the end of the day it's pretty much down to personal
> taste.
> 
> Mandrake is often hailed as being particularly friendly for new users,
> but I've never used it in anger myself, so can't really comment.
> 
> Redhat has the advantage of being the most popular distribution, and
> is hence well supported for 3rd party software, etc.  Being a Linux
> user in a world of Windows users can sometimes feel a bit lonely, but
> at least with Redhat there's plenty of people who know it.
> 
> Lots of the people at this LUG use Debian, but its geeky to the core,
> and people new to Linux/Unix are typically discouraged from using it.
I'm not really geeky, I prefer simple and straight forward.
> 
> > I know what I need my computer to do, but that seems more relevant
> > to applications than OS (Ok, so I'll probably need help with that
> > too!)
> 
> If you just want to do the usual web/email/office stuff, any
> distribution will do.  They all come with stacks of programs.
That's good to know. I do want to do other stuff, but I've just put about 
that on my reply to someone else (sorry - forgot names!!), so you'll 
probably see that.

Helen