Just like the DOS-era ... start learning at the prompt :D

I tried linux, about 5 years ago, quit because i needed office-apps ... and the Linux one's couldn't cope with the Windows apps.

But i'll switch within a year or two. Open Office is a very well made Word/Excell substitute. Apache + MySQL + PHP is a superieur (understatement of the year) solution for MS Access.

Freeware = :banana:

Love the prompt, and I still do. The good part is that I have a plethora of PC's here, so I dedicated a stragler for linux. The intention was to put at least a webserver on it, and when I learned enough, to convert my internet router to linux.
However, the problem started with the how to of the webserver: download and install. and just how the f- do I do that?? Guess they tought everyone is guru. It took me 5 seconds to do the same on windows...

and freeware: I've bought one win95 upgrade in my early (and I admit, still stupid) PC years, and I've been downloading free windows upgrades ever since. It wasn't absolutely free, but I think it was a very good deal.

Didn't know XP was a free downloadable windows upgrade.

Just check the web, it's all over it.

that doesn't make it officialy free :p

freestyler, Debian is a great distro but one of the worst to learn linux. : )

Gentoo is duable if yuo stick to the (very well written) manual.

Debian is a server OS, try Redhat/Suse if you want a workstation OS

It was for a server, linux for "workstation" use isn't up to par if you play games now and then.
I learned DOS the hard way, linux is only more of the same. But if you're rooted on dos/windows, and don't have the time to learn, it's just not happening.
And DOS is crystal clear compared to linux.

Nah I'll stick to messing with hardware for the moment, untill I got more time. Having a windows running (fairly) stable is just as much of an art as dealing with linux.

:rolleyes:


you don't install Debian or Slackware as your first linux install. not done. no wonder you couldn't get anything to work.

try Redhat/Suse to get to know the Linux OS, and advance in the use of the CLI :)

I tried redhat WAAAY back (around the P200 era) didn't see a lot of difference in CLI mode, GUI however was different (gnome vs KDE) but still wasn't much use.