Topic awaiting preservation: Me finally on LINUX!

I installed Red Hat 9 on a separate box from my usual comp.

I am using Linux now to post this so I was able to get internet/network set all up through the LAN.

But I can't figure some things out:

How do I set up a server? (Web, ftp, mail, ssl, ...)
I can't seem to get VNC installed (or I can't find it if it is installed).
How do I access the shell?
I can't view any images on any of the windows machines in the network.

Please also give me any tips, this is my first actual use of the Linux operating system. I think I'm getting hooked... heh...

Thank you!

For every question, there is a verbose howto somewhere online.

Assuming you're using GNOME, you can get a terminal by going to Applications > System Tools or something...or just hit ALT+F2 (iirc), then type "gnome-terminal" - there's probably a little black rectangular looking icon on one of the panels for it, too.

Before you get too comfortable, though, you might want to think about another distro...y'know, besides one that's been dead for a really long time.

(Edited by reisio on 07-20-2005 02:00)

Yeah, I can't decide... Mandrake, SuSE, or Debian? Which is best for a server? I want one that'll last. I'm sorta leaning towards Debian based on this.

Can someone tug (or even push) me in the right direction? I'm confused with all them distros...

I only got Red Hat because I have a book for learning it, but I guess it doesn't matter since Red Hat is scratched off the list now.

Yes, Debian.

Ok, thanks. I allready have 3 coasters from Red Hat, I'd hate to see more.

Do net installs and you won't have to bother with coasters.

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but I guess it doesn't matter since Red Hat is scratched off the list now.

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I'm note sure what you mean by "scratched off the list". Red Hat is a perfectly valid distribution, reisio just meant that you're using a version that's a couple years old. Red Hat is a good way to go, and if you want to use it get a copy of Fedora Core 4. That's the latest version. It was just released in June.

There was a discussion here several months ago about which distribution is the best for someone just starting with linux. You might try some of these:

Best linux for webserver.
If I switch to Linux...
Which Linux?

Try searching for linux


Also look at Can you direct me to Linux documentation?

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-- not necessarily stoned... just beautiful.

I currently go with Debian. Works like a charm for me. Little tricky to set up if you don't know what you're doing -- but good once you do.

But yes, RedHat 9 is quite dead by now. I suggest trying Ubuntu if you want to move towards Debian. I've used it and it is probably the best "newbie" distro out there.

http://ubuntulinux.org/
http://debian.org/

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Website

(Edited by Iron Wallaby on 07-20-2005 05:16)

I did mean Red Hat 9 is old and dead, but if you'd then asked if I recommend current Red Hat (Enterprise) or Fedora Core, I wouldn't have.

Go with Debian; it is one of the oldest that's still around and kicking (other being Slackware), most popular distribution that isn't produced by people that are after money, and incredibly stable. There are more distributions based on Debian than any other for a reason (iirc, it is THE most popular distribution period if you lump it together with all of the distros based off it).

I personally use Gentoo (which is close to what I imagine Debian would be if it were focused on source packages instead of binaries), and while I do recommend it, it takes a certain idealist/purist/control freak/patient spirit to be simpatico with it.

re: Ubuntu - please don't use it, it's just bastardized Debian. If you want Debian, use Debian.

(Edited by reisio on 07-20-2005 05:21)

Zavaboy -

With your current experience I'd suggest spending less time looking at distros and more time getting to know Linux. Assuming you stick to a mainstream distro, you're not going to find too many differences right away. Instead of installing various distros I'd recomend sticking with what you got and see where it takes you. If you're not having any problems with RH 9 why look to update already? Familiarize yourself with the OS and then if it no longer suits you look for something different.

I agree with Jestah. Stick with it for a little while and get used to doing stuff in Linux. After that, move on. I hear good things about Debian and FedoraCore, personally I stick with Slackware.

Read lots and get used to using a terminal.

Later,

C:\

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CPrompt said:

Read lots and get used to using a terminal.

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Scratch that. Read lots and become intimate with the terminal. Once you're comfortable with that there's no going back... it's a thing of beauty.

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re: Ubuntu - please don't use it, it's just bastardized Debian. If you want Debian, use Debian.

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But it's actually a very good bastardized Debian. I wouldn't use it myself -- too purist, of course -- but it takes everything good about Debian (minus the control) and makes it easy to use. You don't have to recompile your kernel to turn off that stupid APIC support, or tweak the sound drivers and alsa, or do anything fancy to get DVD's to play (they're automounted on the desktop). It just works. It has a bunch of kinks to work out, but it's VERY young... so I'm really impressed with it.

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(Edited by Iron Wallaby on 07-20-2005 15:58)

I'm now currently on Debian (accessing it through VNC from my windows machine) and I like it better than Red Hat. Much of it just seems simpler, though I still need to get comfortable with Linux.

I basically have this Linux for testing and learning. Like so I can play around without worrying about screwing my host up and getting my site deactivated. Also it'll give me a experiance with root access.

As some of you said above, I do plan to stick with what I have until I get a better handle on what I'm doing.

Thanks for all the help! I feel I'm a part of something now.

I have one problem, not Linux related:
Whenever I boot up I'm promted to pres F1 (to continue) or DEL (to go to settings), but my keyboard isn't going to be plugged in to the machine. How do I make that go away? I let my brother try because I'm clueless when it comes to BIOS settings. He tried, but ended up having to reset it back to the way it was because my computer wasn't booting up. Any solutions?

It doesn't timeout and boot automatically after a while?

Nope... thats the only part of the bootup process that requires interaction.