Linux

ValiantVenality · Post by **ValiantVenality** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 11:54 pm

Is there any way I can download linux operating system and if I dont like it change it back? Or get a better one........ Ive heard linux is preety cool. Can someone that has linux take a picture a post it? One of the only reason why I want to try Linux is because it has a cool penguin.

elliott · Post by **elliott** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 12:25 am

Just try a LiveCD distro like MEPIS, Knoppix, SLAX, etc. It boots and runs entirely from a CD without touching your HD. If you don't like it take out the CD and reboot, your computer will start normally.

Here are some screenshots from my systems:
Debian SID, XFCE4

ZenWalk 2.2, XFCE4

Trv · Post by **Trv** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 7:49 am

Im installing SUSS OSS 10.0 as i type this (on my other comp) and its looks pretty sweet.

http://en.opensuse.org/Download

Xiro · Post by **Xiro** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 8:32 am

i have a question, assuming i try it with a liveCD distro, should i also put executable files on the disc for it to have access to, considering that it doesnt touch my HDD?

Post by **Sparkfist** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 9:42 am

That's not needed. Most live distros will mount your hard drive, but you will not have write permission and it will not be possible to install linux on the hard drive by assident. The term that it doesn't touch your hard drive is more that it doesn't require a hard drive to run.

Remember that it's really a way to use or try linux without the work or worry of installing it on a hard drive.

Post by **bicostp** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 9:42 am

There isn't a way to add programs to many Live CD distros. Slax has a modular expandability thing (you put downloaded files in /etc/modules or something like thta; check their site) and DSL has MyDSL (download modules and burn them to the root of the CD). As far as things like the SuSE 9.1 live CD, there isn't an easy way to add programs to them. If you want to do that, get a spare hard drive to tinker around with and install on. That way you can install any of the applications you want but your Windows install will be untouched. Just remember, installing programs is generally not as easy as opening an .EXE file. Since every distro is different, you'll have to open a command prompt and tell it to compile and install the program from source code. (don't worry; it's not as daunting a task as you may think. Just remember 5 commands: sudo su, ./config, /make, /make install, and possibly /make clean.) Just check your library dependencies before you install. (This is a bit more complicated than just running a program; I know. But the one-program install is the achillie's (sp?) heel of Windows. It's how many of those spyware programs and viruses install themselves. (Some use ActiveX, a key component of Internet Explorer)

Distros like Ubuntu and SuSE make it even easier. Just select the installer utility (YaST for SUSE, not uer what Ubuntu's is) from the menu, then select the install programs option. Then installing programs is as easy as entering your root password, checking off the programs you want, and clicking "install"! This takes care of all the libraries for you.

Knoppix has about 2 gigs of stuff on the CD, so you'll have most of the popular stuff (Konqeror, OpenOffice, Firefox, KDE...)

But the best thing to do if you want to play around with Linux is to get a spare hard drive and install onto it. Whatever you do, DO NOT INSTALL ON YOUR WINDOWS HARD DRIVE UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING! Once the partition tables are written and new data is added, that's it. There isn't any way to "put it all back". Repartitioning and installing somethign new will destroy all the data on the hard drive.

I recommend KDE if you want a cushy WIndows-like environment, or Fluxbox if you want to be a mit more minimal. I don't like Gnome very much, but it's an option too.

Harshboy · Post by **Harshboy** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 10:26 am

Whow! N SUSE Live DVD! I'm Downloading it right now!

vb_master · Post by **vb_master** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 12:28 pm

One word: Workspot
You can use a real Linux computer over the internet!

Post by **gannon** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 7:17 pm

I just got a new pc and installed FC5 on it, runs nicely. Since it's not a final release there are a few issues still though (x tends to crash once every few days)

Harshboy · Post by **Harshboy** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 7:19 pm

Workspot aint accepting new accounts, and the Demos are always full!