Linux Help

gymmic · 09-20-2002, 05:01 PM

I am a Avid Ms Windows User that Is trying to step in to the World Of linux. I came across mandrake linux because i was told that It was easier to use than most other linux releases out there. Can't do anything more than surf the internet.. And I am lost any help appreciated.

sde · 09-20-2002, 06:51 PM

hey, welcome to codenewbie =)

the first thing you gotta do is figure out what you want to do.. as soon as you do that, .. let us know and we will help you do that..

you are obviously using graphic mode, but the beauty of linux to me was found in the terminal. you can do pretty much anything from there.

gymmic · 09-20-2002, 07:35 PM

What I am interested in doing, is doing the same that I would do in Win XP. I know that this may be too much to ask for, but I am willing to make Baby Steps. SO here it is. I am a new web programmer. I am trying to learn some new languages. I am going to school studying IT.. Chaning From Medical. I want to be able to write my papers and figure out the Apache server, and hook up my network under the linux mode. Under windows I have 5 Computer in my home network. As of right now I have 1 computer on Dual Boot, as soon as I Figure this Linux thing Out. I want to use one of these machines as a server. I want to set up my FTP up under linux. And overall just really learn linux. I am opoen to any suggestions.

I know that I am using the graphical mode, but I really do not not much more about it.

Thanks for your help.

P.S.If this is too confusing I appoligize.

sde · 09-20-2002, 11:14 PM

not confusing =)

now i am no where near as proficient with linux as some of our other members here, however i can give you my point of view as a novice linux user.

i would suggest first try to setup your box as a web server. i'm not sure in mandrake, but with redhat and many other distros, it's already installed, and you just have to start the service.

in redhat the command is: [SHELL]# service httpd start[/SHELL] but the commands vary between distros. of course you execute this command in the terminal. using the terminal from graphic mode is perfectly fine.

if you have trouble with apache, or starting your web server, .. just start a new thread here and give us as much information about it as you can.

good luck =)

btw. i didn't miss the text editing thing.. someone else will have to suggest a good one. the terminal has a few built in, but i'm assuming you want something in a graphical mode. i'm still dependan on windows for this.

have fun

revolution · 09-21-2002, 11:59 AM

Greetings and welcome

Mandrake is one of the easiest to install and is where i started when i decided to get into 'nix really heavy. Although Drake is easy and a good place to get going to try to laern your way around the diffrent "Desktops" or Window managers i would suggest Redhat for trying Apache and FTP. The hardest thing i found about switching from Windows wasnt learning a new system, but rather unlearning the "Windows" way of doing things. There is a GUI for just about everything in 'nix, but sometimes the gui doesnt do what you want or can be confusing as hell.

Now that im done rambling, ill give a few places to start to get you used to 'nix and leave you in the gui mode....
(these are some of the programs i use on a daily basis, they may not be your style, but its a place to get an idea)

Mozilla
www.mozilla.org for your browsing pleasure

Evolution http://ximian.com/products/evolution/ for Email, and a few other related things

Kmail comes with KDE, another one to get you used to email clients

Gftp http://gftp.seul.org/ ftp client

Xmms www.xmms.org for your mp3 listening pleasure

Gaim http://sourceforge.net/projects/gaim/ for Instant messaging

now, there are tons of diffrent programs out there that do all those things, but those are the ones ive found that work for me :rock:

gymmic · 09-21-2002, 02:34 PM

Thank you for for shining a light onto the linux hole I'm in. I was wonderring the software that I currently use on my Windows machine is that compatible with linux as well? Or is it like Windows and Mac, on how they really do not like to work with each other.

Thanks For the info

gymmic · 09-21-2002, 02:39 PM

BTW the link that I get on my email is not working properly. The url of the link is set up as http://codenewbie/forum//showthread....3&goto=newpost

when i click on it it takes me to the white screen of death, well the DNS page on my computer. Only when i Change the link to include the www.codenewbie.com, and such to the link above does my browser send me here. I dont know if it is my browser that does not recognize this form of address or if it truely is an error in the forums email support. any how... thought i should bring this up... Thanks

abc123 · 09-21-2002, 02:59 PM

programs on windows are made to run on the windows file system, fat or ntfs, so they won't run on a linux environment, which is ext2 or something like that?

so no, no windows programs will run on your linux machine.

revolution · 09-21-2002, 07:34 PM

thanks for the heads up gymmic, it should be fixed now

Windows programs arent compatible with linux persay...although certain programs have been written to change that, the most famous being "Wine" http://www.winehq.com/
that will run alot of windows programs in 'nix in an emulation type of state. The other program is from Codeweavers http://www.codeweavers.com/home/
who has a package for Office and another for plug-in type for WMP, Realplayer and a few others. Now you prolly wont be able to run Flash 5 or programs like that, but it should give you an idea of what you can run. There is one for games too from TransGaming http://www.transgaming.com/ and they have a growing number of games they've gotten to work in it, but check thier site to see if they've tried the game you want to work.

Good luck