[Sussex] New & fairly incompetent Linux user

[Rupert Swarbrick]

I recommend Slackware, as no one else has <sob>.
Everything works, but it's easy to mess around with, compiling random 
packages from source as, because the packaging system's so basic, you 
don't have to faff around with .spec files or whatever - just use e.g. 
checkinstall.

Obviously, you lose out on some of the "magic" that you get with some 
other distros, but I reckon the tradeoff is worth it.
This is especially true for me, because I also have only crappy dialup, 
and this way, I can use packages straight of Linux Format cover DVDs 
etc. without having to go searching the net for rpms or debs.

Of course, I may be wrong...

>Hey People,
>
>Ta for all the helpful advice. I was reassured to find that I've
>already tried all of those suggestions so it must just be the norm for
>crappy dial-up!
>
>Just wanted to throw a bone out for you all to chew on... 
>
>I'm thinking of buying a cheapo second-hand desktop to Linux-it (rid
>that evil Microsoft beast from the face of the earth i say) and then
>use for some fairly light work, and i'm mulling over which distro to
>go with. My current (stereo-typed) views are as follows:
>
>Mandrake - Good for Linux-virgins as it has lots of nice GUI's and can
>do lots for you but a bit restrictive and cumbersome once you know
>what you are doing. (Particularly unimpressed by most of the Mandrake
>Control Centre progs). So, I want a change...
>
>Debian - Awe-inspiring, seems to be the holy-grail to most Linux
>enthusiasts that I've spoken to. But needs a decent web-connection i
>think?
>
>Red Hat - Linux people doing their best to immitate Microsoft.
>
>SuSe - Not really sure about this one, not met any users but seems
>fairly popular...
>
>Gentoo - Bit quirky, used by the bloke who introduced me to Linux but
>again I'd appreciate any info...
>
>Knoppix - Good for diagnostics. Thats it.
>
>Any others?
>
>So, basically... I'd appreciate any suggestions to correct my
>misconceptions and show me the way! Go on, convince me...
>
>Paul Baines.
>(Still using his cacky dial-up internet connection).
>
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>  
>