Linux?

[fatboyjim]

Oh dear, you're going to think i'm incredibly stupid. I can probably get hold of a copy of Linux from somewhere but would I be able to fit it onto my 2gig HDD?

I only want it to play around with and try and get it to work and understand it.

What is the copy that I would need? I've heard a lot about Redhat and stuff, I have no idea what it all means but would like to give it a go.

And why do people favour Linux over windows. I don't want 20 replys about windows being crap (admittedly it is) but I would like some weighing up done between Linux and Windows


Thanks

Jim

[reboot]

"Weighing up":
Linux can do everything Windows can do, do it faster, and do it for free. Period.
You'll need a really small distro if you want to fit it into a small drive and still leave windows alone. If you can dedicate a drive to Linux, then it would be great.
Pick up a second HD, even a 1 gig is lots for Linux, and then download and install any distro you like.
Mandrake 8 is probably the easiest to start with, but it's also really big.
Take a look at Linux4win, http://www.linuxmandrake.com/en/lnx4win.php3 if you just want to get your feet wet.
Check some PC magazines, specifically "Maximum Linux", which includes a CD, usually with a couple of smaller distros on it, for you to install.

[Floppyman]

Yep, I agree. Mandrake 8.0 is good, its install is really easy, I think RedHat isn't quite as friendly as Mandrake. 2 gigs is plenty, I installed quite a bit of extra stuff and the total was just about 700mb.

[fatboyjim]

Is the linux for windows the path to follow then (I'm perfectly happpy with getting hold of a CD of linux and FDISKing to a certain partition type and then installing linux)

I'm sure I could work it out either way (possibly )

Anyway, this Linux for Windows thing, does it actually install linux proper and allow a dual boot with Windows or does it run inside Windows (if it runs inside Windows I've just been put off)



Jim

[reboot]

Well, what it does is load Linux via an "image" file, sorta through windows.
If that's not what you want, get Mandrake 8. You won't be sorry.

[robo555]

Peanut Linux is a real small distro, and has all the things you need to play around with Linux. They have a 80MB distro, or a larger 600MB ISO. It contains all the softwares you need to run a server, use KDE, ICQ, etc.

http://www.ibiblio.org/peanut/

It can be install in Windows or native Linux partition (installing on native Linux partition is 900x faster!)