[sclug] Crash Course

[Alan Cocks]

In article <52849825040728093867cabaae at mail.gmail.com>, Sandeep Varma
<darker.trooper at gmail.com> writes
>To fill in a bit on how much I know, I decided to tell you all about
>my (lack of ) proficiency in Linux.
>
>I have some command line experience, and can navigate in the file
>systems with basic commands like 'ls' and 'cd', but no more than that.
>As you can probably guess from that, I also don't know a thing about
>compiling, let alone touching a kernel. I'm very willing to learn
>however, and the massive time slot of the summer holidays should give
>me plenty of time to do so. Can anyone give me any hints/guides or
>point me in the direction of some on this subject?
>
>Any replies will be very greatly appreciated. :-D
>
>---
>
>Sandeep Varma, Slough UK

As a near newb myself I speak from mostly empty experience, but
enthusiasm.
Suse is very friendly at installation, and is surprisingly accommodating
of installed hardware. I am running with this distro - mostly dual boot.

I installed a number of PCs from PIIs 128Mb to P4 1Gb with 9.1 suse,
some previously with 9.0. All were impressive. (Some early version bugs,
mostly sorted with online updates which were soon available).

I would rate suse 9.0 and 9.1 as probably easier to install than xp. And
probaly easier to use, though 'different'. But of course with linux I
gather it is usually important to *read* the notes offered during the
install. I made some mistaken decisions by using my windows blur-brain -
saying yes to everything. not always useful.

I note that the iso for the personal version 9.1 is now freely available
for download. The pro version (can be installed free via ftp) includes
network stuff (samba etc) and other things and while this can be added
to the personal one anyway, for me as a newb it would be too big a
challenge.

I actually bought the 9.1 boxed from Amazon (5 CDs, 2 DVDS, 2 good
manuals)

Command line is still there and many suse veterans use it only, but
until I get my linux legs I find YAST excellent, and just the thing to
get me using the box, while I gain experience.

(have just seen you are in slough - I am in bracknell - if you wanted
suse maybe I can help - mail me?)
-- 
Alan Cocks Berkshire UK