On Wed, Mar 06, 2002 at 05:15:46PM -0600, Carnes, Kevin wrote: > OK, after hearing lots of hype about how Linux is the best thing since > sliced bread,
Better. Like bread with jam. >I'm putting the claims to the test and trying to install > Debian on a new Intel box. Debian? What sadist told you to start with Debian? >I'm an old VAX/VMS system manager and have > been playing with computers in various forms for 20 years. So you should have a good head start on things like understanding the process, planning your disk partitions, making a cheatsheet (or not needing one) of all your relevant hardware in case the info is required. >If Linux is > so easy to install, I should be able to do it with a minimum of bother, > right? NOT! So, this mailing list request is a test of Linux support. > I'm assuming this is where you go when stuck. At the risk of getting flamed by this particular group, I might suggest starting with another distro just to prove to yourself that Linux is indeed easy to install. As much as I happen to like Debian for its philosophy, its packaging system, and everything else, the install does leave a bit to be desired. Until you've been through it 5 or 10 times and maybe grown accustomed to it. I am not exaggerating when I say: The latest versions of RedHat, Suse, & Mandrake are all far easier to install than Windows. And just might do a better job of detecting hardware & self-configuring. Debian is not like that. You want an easy install? Here's another one. Linux geeks tend to look down their noses at Corel Linux, and it's now pretty out of date, but wow what an easy install that one had. As long as all your hardware was supported, you had to click your mouse maybe half a dozen times and then 10 to 12 minutes later you'd be done - online, sharing files on an existing Windoze network, using your printer, whatever. -CraigW
