Is linux right for you? Some tips on getting started.

jubalj · Last edited by jubalj on 24 Oct, 2003 4:43 pm; edited once(1)

Linux is a powerful operating system. Untamed, however, it can result in loss of data and leave a bad first impression for a newbie. Here are some links that could help you in having a good linux experience:

Basics

Why linux?
http://www.linux.org/info/advocacy.html

Try before you emerge your self:
http://www.workspot.com/

(click on the demo to get an instant red hat desktop within your browser right now!)
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html

or http://knoppix.net/

(download a bootable linux demo that autoconfigures itself while not touching any of the data on your harddisk).

finding the right distribution:
http://distrowatch.com/

(has links to most of the reviews and download mirrors too).

Check hardware compatability
http://hardware.redhat.com/hcl/

Buying the CDs
http://www.linuxcd.org/

for New Zealnad: http://www.linuxshop.co.nz/

Finding the right applications:
http://linuxshop.ru/linuxbegin/win-lin-soft-en/

[find an equivilant to your fav windows software]
http://linux.tucows.com/

http://www.linux.org/apps/index.html

http://sal.kachinatech.com/index.shtml

Tutorials:
http://www.tldp.org

http://www.linuxheadquarters.com/index.shtml

http://www.linuxquestions.org/

http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/demos/

http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/views/linux/tutorials.jsp

Command line:
http://www.ctssn.com/

http://rute.sourceforge.net/

Getting help with specific hardware:

Modem (you may have to download the right drivers while you still can get online!)
http://www.linmodems.org/

Printing
http://www.linuxprinting.org/

Scanning:
http://www.mostang.com/sane/

Digital camera:
http://www.gphoto.org/

http://www.teaser.fr/~hfiguiere/linux/digicam.html

DV camera or firewire:
http://www.linux1394.org/

http://kino.schirmacher.de/

Misc sites

Remote admin:
http://www.webmin.com/

[web interface to completely administer computer over TCP/ip default port 10000]
http://www.openssh.com/

[Secure shell, probably already installed]

Client tools to log in remotly:
http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/

[putty - windows client for ssh]
http://winscp.sourceforge.net/eng/

[windows client for secure copy - great for transfering files from linux to windows remotely]
http://www.jfitz.com/tips/ssh_for_windows_doc_version2.html

[how to use above tools]

Database admin:
http://www.phpmyadmin.net/

or http://phppgadmin.sourceforge.net/

[web based admin for postgresql or mysql]
http://www.aquafold.com/

[non opensource but free cross platform db tool]

Find software for a specifc task:
http://freshmeat.net/

[index of 1000s of opensource projects]

windows programs under linux:
http://www.winehq.com/

[allows running of windows programs under linux]
http://www.codeweavers.com/home/

[comericial, office / quicktime under linux]
http://www.netraverse.com/

[win4lin lets you install windows within linux]
http://www.vmware.com/

[creates a virtual PC within which another OS can be installed to run simultaneously]

Gaming:
http://www.transgaming.com/

[comericial, directx games under linux]
http://happypenguin.org/news

http://www.linuxgames.com/

Running linux tools under windows:
http://www.cygwin.com/

Linux News:
http://desktoplinux.com/

[news on linux use on desktops]
http://slashdot.org

[all kindsa interesting news for geeks]
http://www.linuxdevices.com/

[linux in devices]
http://opensector.org/

[opensource in govenments]

Humour:
http://i-want-a-website.com/about-linux/

Hope you have a fun enjoyable experience, if you need more help just search http://www.google.com/linux

or ask at a forum such as this!

Jubal

Edit:Added a few more links.

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US; rv:1.4) Gecko/20030726

Edward · Joined: 01 Dec 2002 Posts: 3316

SuSE Hardware Database:
http://hardwaredb.suse.de/index.php?LANG=en_UK

Mandrake Hardware Database:
http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/hardware.php3

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i586; en-US; rv:1.4) Gecko/20030624

SillyDog701 Moderator
xubuntu 9.10

Josh · Joined: 21 Jun 2002 Posts: 691

Thanks for the good advice!

UserAgent: Mozilla/5.0 (compatible; Konqueror/3; Linux)

Josh
SD701 Moderator
User of Safari 4.0.3 on Tiger

Edward · Joined: 01 Dec 2002 Posts: 3316

Linux Journal:

http://www.linuxjournal.com

Linux Magazine:

http://www.linuxmagazine.com/

UserAgent: Opera/7.11 (Linux 2.4.20-4GB i586; U) [en]

SillyDog701 Moderator
xubuntu 9.10

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