Installation: Pacing Yourself
Now, its time for you to decide what packages, or software, you wish to install. Depending on what you plan to use your system for, you may choose different software. Most distros come with “preset” options, such as ‘Workstation’ and ‘Server.’ I recommend you select ‘Workstation.’ If you have any specific needs (i.e. special Linux software, the GIMP, etc.) then you should also select those through the “Individual Package Selection” dialogue.
Now, once you tell it to install, it will then install all of your packages that you selected to the computer. Remember that this takes time, so calm your jets and read a book while you wait for your fresh Linux to install. Keep on guard for any dialogues, especially those regarding putting in a different disk or a lack of free space.
You Are Not Being Specific Enough!
I know that this guide is very general so far. However, you must understand that there are well over a thousand different distros of Linux and the amount of time it would take me to cover them all would be enormous. Also, check your distro’s web site as they most likely have an extremely detailed installation guide.
Installation: The Home Stretch
Now that you have installed Linux, your installation program will ask you some questions regarding everything from networking to drivers to X Windows. Usually, you can figure out what is going on by reading dialogues. Also, remember that Linux is pretty good at detecting your hardware and that you must configure it sometime, so why not do it now?
Next, your installer will probably ask you for information about a user to create. In Linux lies a core philosophy that is different than Microsoft’s: do not let users harm themselves. In Linux, the “root” user (root) has all the power to do whatever it wants, as long as it stays within the domain of the current computer. Users, on the other hand, have limited permissions that restrict access but also protect them from themselves. In Windows, you are fundamentally always logged on as root, whether you like it or not. Create the user and continue.
Next, the installer will want you to configure LILO. Go ahead and say “yes” to LILO, and configure it accordingly. Usually, new users would want Windows to be their default OS.
Finally, the installer will ask you to reboot. Go ahead and reboot (do not “hard” reboot, wait for the kernel to do its thing) and take the CD from the CD-ROM drive once it has finished.
Congrats! You have now installed Linux!
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