I would like to try to get into linux, but i'm so enslaved to windows i'm having problems.

i've tried mepis and debian...arklinux won't even install.

is there any desktop environment that is very close to windows? how about when i try to install programs?? is there a default folder for apps that i should extract things to?

i don't want to develop or anything...i just want to try the open source stuff.

thanks

mrbillyjackson----gmail if you prefer

I use Fedora Core 2 and have been very happy with it.

http://www.redhat.com/fedora/ 

Once your OS is installed, you can extract most things to any folder. When you install, you'll get a home folder. Just create a "download" folder there an put everything in one place.

To install most of the apps, you just have to extract the files using "tar" or some other program. Then most have a ".build" program that you run. The rest usually takes care of itself.

I love Linux as a server. Very stable. I dont know how sold I am on it as a desktop OS. Still getting used to that one. Cant beat all the free open source software, though.

Good luck!!

a recent PC Mag had a nice writeup that featured Fedora

i quit...

not downloading 4 cds worth of stuff for fedora

went back to mepis cause that's what worked most completely for me...but installing stuff is ridiculous

free is great and all, is it that hard to make something that will just install?

this is why MS is so damn gigantic...it's just plain eaiser.

i tried...phook it

You dont need all 4 CDs. I think you'll get a good base install for a desktop in the first 2. I think you should only need disk 3 or 4 if you want to install some of the server options (mySQL, Apache, Samba, etc).

Two other things you may want to check out:

http://dyne.org 

http://lamppix.tinowagner.com/ 

These sites allow you to download and make 1 CD that you can boot a PC from. You get a lite version of Linux to play with. No need to install anything. Everything runs from the CD. Tons of free sofware to play with. When you are finished, remove the CD and reboot the PC. The PC returns to the old OS.

Dynebolic is probably the cooler of the 2. You get tons of Audio/Video software on that one. I saw a presentation on it once and was very impressed of what it could do. I have a copy of the disk, but have been too darn busy to do anything with it.

ok...i'll try some more

downloading dyne now

the other one sounds good since I built and maintain a website that is php...might try it as i get more accustomed

i have a hard time with this crap wihtout a live person to walk me through stuff...and beacause i try to skip the basic knowledge of the system the way you can do with windows

got ubuntu 5.04 installed and on it now...we'll see if i can install some of the programs I want

trashed ubuntu and found zenwalk...based on slackware

pretty much all i need right out of the box...except

i transfer mp3s to my Nokia 6230...or would like to...through my dku2 usb cable.

I don't need bluetooth or contact/calendar sync or all that jazz...basically just want to treat it as a usb thumb drive

but be damned if it can be that easy. gnokii installs but i can't find access to my MMC card directory anywhere.

surely i don't need a comp science degree for this????