Linux... for free?

[fatboyjim]

Hi,

I was just wondering if there was a version of Linux (it could be a cut down demo version - i just want to try it with no commitment) that is FREE (or very cheap)

If there is where can I download/get it from

And what is the difference between different versions of Linux- I've heard the name Red Hat mentioned before. I m trying to get into programming and want to start off by trying various things in Linux.

Thanks,

Jim

[HAL9000]

All versions of Linux are free. When you purchase it in the stores, you are purchasing the CD's and some basic documentation (actual printed material). I have been running Mandrake on my web server. It was recommended to me by a friend because he said it would probably be fairly trouble free for me to install as it uses a graphic interface and I knew VERY little about Linux. Still don't know too much, but hanging in there anyway.

[fatboyjim]

So it's free? Is it downloadable then or is it just too massive for that?

Any other sources where I wouldn't have to pay too much (if I did buy it from a store how much could I expect to pay?)

And what are the differences between versions (Red Hat etc)

Jim

[HAL9000]

I can't tell you much about the differences as my experience has only been limited to Mandrake. It can be downloaded, but if you're on dialup, it's gonna be painful. I just downloaded Mandrake 8 in ISO format to burn to a CD for a friend. The ISO images (2 of them) were about 550Mb each. Linux isn't expensive to buy in stores either. I've seen celophane wrapped CD's for as little as $3.00CDN, boxed versions with installation documentation for around $30.00CDN, and bonus pack versions with extra software and documentation for anywhere between $50 to $80.00CDN.

[WickedLittleSlaveBoy]

the differences aren't as big as you would think, as far as the base system goes...they might structure their init scripts a bit differently, or there might be a little variance in what daemons they provide, I believe there are at least two versions of cron floating around....but, ultimately, at that level, they're pretty similiar.

the big differences are in the way they distribute packages, setup programs. configuration tools(or lack of) and the programs they provide with their distributions....Mandrake and SuSE bludgeon you with packages; Debian has a confusing setup for beginners; Caldera, Mandrake and Red Hat give you a graphical X based install program(Caldera did it first); and SlackWare uses the framebuffer device to set the video modes via LILO, so you don't have to configure your Xserver, provided your video card support VESA 2.0 instructions(note, this might not be a good thing, if you have a badass video card)...there are numerous differences in the ways they have provided to configure the system and each distribution goes for a different market, except Red Hat, which tries to be all things to all people. Corel Linux just seems to be complete crap.

I would advise you to go to Linux Mall or Cheap Bytes and buy 3 or 4 different distributions and find the one you like, they're only aroung $2 a piece + S/H at Linux Mall...a bit higher at Cheap Bytes.

once you find the one you like, buy the full version for support, extra documentation and to support the community.

of course, you could always just pick up on of the Linux Unleashed Books and get a copy of whatever distro with it.

[lynchmob]

In addition to WickedLittleSlaveBoy's suggestions,you can also go to www.lsl.com and get linux on cdrs.
Lynch