[SC.LUG] Re: SC digest, Vol 1 #99 - 2 msgs

[Neil Lucock]

On Saturday 24 May 2003 11:00 am, sc-request@mailman.lug.org.uk wrote:

> From: Roger Gibson <rcgibson@iee.org>

> My ideal system would be Linux based, but with an option to load
> Microsoft based software on top when required for compatibility, and
> also to use MS software  where this is unavoidable. --snip--
>
> 1.  What modes of combining Windows XP Pro and a Linux Distr. on a
>     single PC do you recommend
I've just attempted to put Linux on an XP machine. It was a bit of a battle=
,=20
XP really wouldn't let it boot from the (Linux Format) DVD and repeatedly=20
gave the "safe mode" menu, even when the BIOS said to boot from the CD driv=
e.=20
Mandrake 9.1 is supposed to be able to resize NTFS partitions, but it told =
me=20
that all data on that partition would be lost. The owner didn't want to los=
e =20
Windows. Partition Magic is a very useful product, it made new (Linux)=20
partitions for the installation. Buy it before you attempt to install. Once=
=20
the partitions are made, all was fine, but it would only boot from a CD, no=
t=20
the DVD.
> 2.  What Linux 'flavour/s' do you recommend for use for self developed
>     Fortran and C software, together with Office XP Pro compatibility.
I've always found that Mandrake has nice tools, but that's because I've=20
learned where everything is and what things do. SuSE is just as good.=20
Cheeplinux do a =A330 box with Mandrake, Redhat and Debian (I think) and a =
few=20
other bit and pieces. If you want to experiment, it's not a bad way of=20
finding out which you like best. Or, ask nicely and anyone with a CD burner=
=20
will make you a copy of any GPL installation CDs.
>
> 3.  What books do you recommend as manuals to consult when keeping up
>     with general system administration, and are there any good places
>     in the North West where I can go and browse Linux books before
>     choosing ones I fancy.
Linux for Office Users is a good introduction to the software, Linux=20
Administration Manual by Nemeth, Snyder and Hein for in depth coverage.=20

> 4.  Are there any other warnings you feel I should heed before I jump
>     in?
No. Get it, use it, forget windows.

regards,
neil