Re: Linux wannabe

[Erik Steffl <steffl@bigfoot.com>]

Abner Gershon wrote:
> 
> I just can't take it anymore! My $2000.00 Dell PC with
> 256 meg RAM running MS Windows ME crashes hourly at
> least. I am ready to take the plunge and give Linux a
> try.
> 
> I am a professional but not in computers. Is it
> possible for a mere mortal to install Debian on his
> desktop PC in dual boot configuration with MS Windows?
>  Robin Rowe called the Debian installation, "sys admin
> hell," in March 2001 Linux Journal.  I bought that
> issue to learn tips about the installation but found
> the article too superficial to be of much help.  Where
> can I find/buy simple step by step accurate directions
> for installation of Debian Linux on a PC?  Should I
> give Red Hat a try first?

  well, if you want to install linux the redhat might be a better
choice. However if you plan to use it as well (= update it, (un)install
software) etc. there is no competition to debian. IMO.

  there is quite a lot of docs on www.debian.org and elsewhere on the
net. If you want something relatively authoritative and printed I guess
the o'reilly debian book is OK (I haven't read it, just judging by
reputation of o'reilly). See:

  http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/debian/

  the whole books seems to be online (click on Online book link on the
URL above)

  hint: the installation process is not that bad, just don't play with
dselect too much (IMO example of _extremely_ bad user interface), after
installation use aptitude or apt-get or similar tools to
install/uninstall software (they all use the same underlying mechanizm
just provide different user interfaces)

	erik