[Sderby] A Linux Network?

[Barry Woodward]

Dear Reader,

6 weeks ago I began investigating Linux, using SuSE 9.0 Desktop and Server
CD's provided free by Linux User Magazine. I need help, please.

I Installed the Server version on my Dell 1.2 Mhz Desktop which has 512Mb
Memory and 120Gbytes HDD. This is my primary Home LAN File server using
Windows 98 SE . (Two Stars and a Bus use two 4 port hubs and cat 5 cable.)

I loaded the KDE desktop and it defaulted to the highest resolution. Ugh!! I
am 61 and use reading glasses. I used Windows98 to open (and read) the
documentation on the SuSE linux Cd's.

I looked at the KDE Help files. It was soon plain that they had been written
in 1998 for a KDE version prior to 1.8 My current KDE version is 3.2 The
ReadMe file gave an ominous warning of the dangers of installation before
reading the Manual. Unfortunately, I could find no Manual. I suspect that
the author meant "How-To" files I found them to be either very sparse
(Example: Topic 1 Networking:- Linux was made for Networking. Topic 2
Kwrite.......) or so full of complex jargon as to be incomprehensible to
anyone but the author.

Some time later I noticed an additional tiny icon, clicked it, and found the
Desktop Resize options, at last. More experimenting revealed the YAST
configuration tools and, overall I enjoyed my experience with SuSE. Except..

I could not get the Network to operate. It works under Windows 98SE, but not
at all under SuSE. In the installation documentation there is a small print
statement that certain Modules are available for installation if you have
the SuSE Pro version. Hmmm.

I suspect that means SUSE Sales believe that only professionals will want to
set up a network. Amateur home users like myself are not supposed to want
networks yet. Are those that do expected to buy software licenses for
hundreds of users?

I realized that installing a new HDD provided an ideal time to install SuSE
Linux and connect it to the Internet. I did so. It worked. So I chose the
option to download update files. 2 hours and 20 minutes later it had
finished the download and installation. During which it corrupted the Root
Administration Login (or Password).

I removed it from my Hard drive, using Partition Magic 7.0 This found 21
partition errors before it finally succumbed. For the first time ever,
Partition Magic failed. Good old Windows Fdisk and Fdisk /mbr came to the
rescue. So I am currently back to using the reliable and easily configured
Windows 98 SE as my LAN OS.

I will use SuSE for my further studies but I would be very grateful if
anyone can tell me how to configure Linux on my LAN instead of Win98 SE?

Thank you for your valuable time