98 to linux

[atari]

just wondering what i would have to do to convert a windows 98 machine to a linux machine

also i hear there are different types of linus, which one is best for a begginner

also (no.2) what software do i need to run to make it a web server..


thanks all...

[Force Flow]

Linux is completely different from windows. You'd have to repartition and reformat to put linux on.

Probably Mandrake 9.1 would be the best linuxiso.org
No extra software. It's all included.

If you want to run a server, Red Hat is the way to go.

[Dangermouse1]

If you have not used Linux before and you have a large enough hard drive you can have a dual boot system and keep windows while you get used to Linux. As for the best version Red Hat probably if you want a server but if you have a CD burner you should be able to down load most of them for free and give them a try.

[jglen490]

I would recommend Mandrake 9.1 as it is a complete distro that can be fairly easily configured to a variety of tasks. As for set up, it couldn't be easier. You won't need to pre-setup or format anything. All the tools are included and availble with the installer.

The most critical decision you need to make before you start is whether to dual-boot, or just jump right in. Please make that a conscious decision before starting.

Other than that, it's a piece of cake with an existing FAT-style filesystem to take a part of the space or just overlay the entire thing with a Linux filesystem.

[Force Flow]

Oh, btw, when you repartition in the mandrake setup, don't use windows free space. That destroys your windows O/S. Use partiton magic to partition in windows to get a partition with free space (5GB or so). Use that space for the linux native and swap partitions.

[Computer Hobbyist]

A real issue for you to consider is the amount of Ram you have in your windows 98 machine. If you have a fair amount (256 mg or above) you should have no problems, if you have less then you will find that Mandrake 9.1 running the default KDE will be very clunky. Many of the complaints I read about Linux arise from somebody trying to run the lastest Linux distro with the latest Linux Gui (KDE or Gnome) on an old machine that wouldn't run Windows 2K well either. Rule of thumb, if your machine throws up on Windows 2K it will probably do the same with Linux with the latest version of KDE or Gnome. Reason, similar resource demands to run the Gui.

Now if you run on the command line instead of in a gui just about any old Windows 98 machine will do fine.

[LocoCoyote]

CH makes a good point. Often folks talk about linux being good for older machines with fewer resources...they are talking about running without a GUI. All GUIs are resource intesive.

[Floppyman]

For a webserver you will want to use Apache-- should be included with most major linux distros.