Hello! I am a windows user. I never used Linux before. Ever. I want to learn how to use Linux. I installed the free VM Ware Server, and I want to experiment with Linux.

I have several questions:
1)What distributions would you guys recommend for me to try?
2)Can you guys recommend any good Linux tutorials? (books and online tutorials would be ok)

The biggest intimidation for me on Linux is that it is substantially different from windows that at first I have no idea what is going on underneath. This feels really uncomfortable. On windows I know how the operating system is supposed to behave, so I can notice differences as they occur during usage(i get this feeling that I am at least somewhat in control).

So if you guys know of any good tutorials based on personal experience or whatnot, it would be highly appreciated.

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Hello! I am a windows user. I never used Linux before. Ever. I want to learn how to use Linux. I installed the free VM Ware Server, and I want to experiment with Linux.

I have several questions:
1)What distributions would you guys recommend for me to try?
2)Can you guys recommend any good Linux tutorials? (books and online tutorials would be ok)

The biggest intimidation for me on Linux is that it is substantially different from windows that at first I have no idea what is going on underneath. This feels really uncomfortable. On windows I know how the operating system is supposed to behave, so I can notice differences as they occur during usage(i get this feeling that I am at least somewhat in control).

So if you guys know of any good tutorials based on personal experience or whatnot, it would be highly appreciated.

http://tldp.org/guides.html and look for "Introduction to Linux - A Hands on Guide".

It's a matter of personale choice, but I find SuSE Linux vith the KDE graphical user interface very user friendly. I am running SuSE 10.1 on a Pentium II Deschutes which was my crunching box in SETI, Einstein and QMC up to a few days ago. Now I have installed SuSE 10.3 32 bit version an an Opteron boz, but I could have installed also the 64 bit version. I have downloaded both versions from OpenSuSE and burned them on a DVD using the Pentium box. You can update on line all SuSE Linux versions.
Tullio

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I agree with the "personal choice" statement.
Listing of most distros: http://www.linux.org/dist/

My thoughts on some distros I have used-

Graphic Interface:
a) If you are coming from a Windows background, KDE will make you feel more "at home".
b) If you are coming from a Mac background, Gnome is the ticket.
c) If you are a Unix, CPM, or MS-Dos person, the command line (no graphics) distros are the fastest.

Distros:
a) Ubuntu (Gnome) / Kubuntu (KDE) - Nice, easy, dependable "beginner's" Linux. Makes custom setups very difficult because of the way it "protects" the user.
b) Fedora (Gnome or KDE, selected at install time) - A "Do Everything" distro, somewhat bloated (to turn it into a cruncher you need to turn off a bunch of services, sort of like using Win XP to crunch). Does support almost anything you want to do however.
c) SUSE - I used this until they and Novell got into bed with Microsoft. I personally don't like their package manager, but that is preferance.
d) ARCH Linux - Nice "cutting edge" Linux. Fast, small, more difficult to install than some of the main-stream distros. Warning- x86_64 version does not support running 32 bit apps, this makes it hard to run Boinc (most projects do not have 64 bit apps yet).
e) PCLinuxOS - KDE based, easy to setup and run, nice "Live CD" version if you just want to play with Linux before you install it.
f) DSL or DSL Not - Very small, quite fast. Requires a pretty good knowledge of Linux to use. Will run off a flash card (or even a floppy if you do enough pruning) very handily.

As a final notes
- Get ready to do some searching for answers to your questions on the internet. Almost all the distribution's have their own "got-ya's". Most answers are on the web if you phrase the search right.
- If you are installing onto a laptop be ready for problems with the Wireless setup, they are somewhat painful (In a lot of cases the "stock" setup will crash the system a boot time).

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Boinc Button Abuser In Training >My Shrubbers<

I have used Slackware, Unifix, Corel and am now using SuSE on my two computers, a PII and an Opteron box. I find it is easy to uodate online, but I agree about the package manager. I use mostly rpm, a very good tool. The PII is a dual boot system using SuSE 10,1 and WIN98SE since I am a simulated flier, the Opteron box (a SUN 64 bit WS which arrived with Solaris installed) runs SuSE 10.3 32 bit to crunch SETI, Einstein and QMC with good results.
Tullio

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I used to do all SUSE but have been migrating to Ubuntu lately. The main reason was the ubuntu forums are pretty good. Also, it was the only Linux distribution I could find that ran on all of my hardware (SPARC / Intel)

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Fear will keep the local systems in line. Fear of this battle station. - Grand Moff Tarkin

changed my second machine to kunbutu cAN GET ONLINE and download boinc, but can't install or run it.. this is so much fun..

changed my second machine to kunbutu cAN GET ONLINE and download boinc, but can't install or run it.. this is so much fun..

Not a linux guru but maybe something simple will help. Rename the download to something simple like "current_boinc.sh". Then open up a shell/console, go to where you downloaded the boinc file and type "sh current_boinc.sh". It should make all of the directories you need. Then go to the boinc directory (wherever that may be) and click on the "boincmgr" icon. It should fire up the program, ask for a project to attach to, type in the url (I can't remember what it is but it was in a recent post) and it should download more software and the actual work units. If anyone can explan better or I've said something wrong (tired, brain dead) then please jump in...p
p.s. On the main page under "community" click on "questions and answers" then "unix/linux" may be of help...

changed my second machine to kunbutu cAN GET ONLINE and download boinc, but can't install or run it.. this is so much fun..

Take a look at:

Installing The BOINC Client Software on Linux

(Aside: You might say the "fun" bit is part of the reason why there are no viruses on Linux... You always have a balance between security and usability...)

Good luck!
Martin

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See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

[quote Then go to the boinc directory (wherever that may be) and click on the "boincmgr" icon. It should fire up the program, ask for a project to attach to, type in the url.
This would all be fine ..but when I click on boincmgr ..nothing happenes. I have the boinc directory with all the files in it ,but clicking does nothing. ..[/quote]

I am using SuSE 10.3 and run SETI, Einstein and QMC with BOINC client 5.10.28 which was compiled for Ubuntu Linux but also works for SuSE. I start by going to the BOINC directory and start first the client by the run_client command. Then I start the manager by the run_manager command and attach to the various projects. When I am satisfied I kill the manager and start it again when I want to see whats's going on. I also use the boincprog program which has a small window and is also useful to see what's going on.
Tullio

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changed my second machine to kunbutu cAN GET ONLINE and download boinc, but can't install or run it.. this is so much fun..

Would that be the version from the SETI/BOINC download page?
If so, try installing BOINC through the package manager instead.

For Ubuntu users I would strongly recommend just using the version that is in the repos. Use the Synaptic Package Manager (System -> Administration) and find the "boinc-client" and "boinc-manager" packages and install them. Or you can do it from the command line with "apt-get install boinc-client boinc-manager"

After it is done installing there will be a BOINC icon in Applications -> Accessories that will start the manager. Installing it this way also makes it start crunching automatically on boot and will automatically upgrade through the Ubuntu update manager as new versions are released.

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A member of The Knights Who Say NI!
For rankings, history graphs and more, check out:
My BOINC stats site

Use the Synaptic Package Manager (System -> Administration) and find the "boinc-client" and "boinc-manager" packages and install them.

There is no boinc in the package manager. here's a snapshot of my boinc folder.I've tryeed to use the run comand but still no luck.I liked the way it automatically setup my network..sent this snapshot to myself by way of webmail.

..........don't give up on me...I feel like I'm getting closer!

Ah I guess it is in the "universe" repository which isn't enabled by default. In the Synaptic manager go to Settings -> Repositories and check the "Community-maintained Open Source software (universe)" option. Then click the "Reload" button in the toolbar. Now you should see a total of 4 boinc related packages.

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A member of The Knights Who Say NI!
For rankings, history graphs and more, check out:
My BOINC stats site

I'm using kubuntu the list of repos only includes a ubuntu page,and it updates but no boinc packages. theres a place to add rposotories but I have no address.
Can't find community based open source.
tryed some stuff in the manager,fraid i goofed up now when i try to open i get a cant acess message. maybe i'll start again and install ubuntu instead of kubuntu?

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories/Kubuntu
http://www.kubuntu.org/doc/7.10/add-applications/C/repos.html

Thanks for all the help. I couldn't stand not crunching so I put xp back on.partitioned the drive and will try linux on it also, thanks for the links. I'll stay after it. Actually I get bored with my machines running stable for so long , that I have to change something,FSB,OS,number of fans,something...anything

Ok ,got kubuntu up and boinc running.Now I was wondering about how to install the opped app. Thanks again.