Re: Linux for newbies

["Gabriel Orozco" <gabriel_orozco () mx sumida com>]

This was my case:

I began with Redat 6.0, and I liked it. Later I noticed Mandrake, and wanted
to test the cutting edge of the linux world (yes, Mandrake is always with
the latest, even alpha stage versions)

for Redhat, afther 6.2, nothing was the same. many bugs, many configurations
that later were not working.

then, I began with Slackware. I recognize in the local linux group the ones
that  always help the others, are the Slack guys. They help me to do the
most needed thing in linux: READ. they told me where to look for programs:
Freshmeat, Sourceforge, etc.

Since then, I tried several distros, just to know them. even Gentoo. but I
use Slackware for all server activities. Right now, in my desktop computer
at home, I have Mandrake 9.2 and Slackware 9.1, and after trying some
programs in Mandrake, I still always use Slack.

if anyone want to learn how to use linux, and how to use it well, and it's
beginning, I would recommend Slackware. if the user needs everything running
in a new cutting edge system, maybe Mandrake would be a good startpoint,
provided the user learns how to READ.

my 0.2

Regards
G

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Doug Reed" <dougreed () houston rr com>
To: <security-basics () securityfocus com>
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2003 12:17 AM
Subject: Re: Linux for newbies


> > You will likely get two classifications of answer to this question.
> > > From the "make it easy to get results fast camp" you will see responses
> > along the lines of Redhat, Mandrake, and Suse. From the "Don't make it
> > too easy so you actually know what is going on" camp you will see
> > responses like Debian, Gentoo, and Slackware.
> Aye, I am from the "second camp" as well :)
>
> I started off with Mandrake, then moved to RedHat.  I found them both to
> be pretty sluggish, and I don't think I learned very much using either
> of them.  And what I did learn was specific to that distro, not
> universal.  I moved to Slackware after my experience with the other two,
> and the knowledge I've gained since then is tremendous compared to what
> little bit I would have learned if I had stuck with "DrakConf"
> (Mandrake) or "Up2Date" (RedHat).
>
> As for the other two, I tried installing Gentoo a while back, but I
> don't think I quite knew enough at the time to get it running.  I
> thought the whole download & compile process was a bit intimidating, but
> I've been promising myself I'd give it a try.  I can't say anything
> about Debian, as I haven't tried it (yet).
>
> Doug
>
>
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Forum Systems PRESIDIO: PGP / XML GATEWAY APPLIANCE
The Presidio integrates PGP data encryption and XML Web Services security to 
simplify the management and deployment of PGP and reduce overall PGP costs 
by up to 80%.
FREE WHITEPAPER & 30 Day Trial - 
http://www.securityfocus.com/sponsor/ForumSystems_security-basics_031027 
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