[1stFreedom]

One mistake the various distributors are making is having a massive download. Some versions take up 3 cds. Not everybody has broadband (only about 25%).

I tried downloading one version and after four days of downloading I gave up. But I'm resisting paying $39.00 for something that is supposed to be free.

Granted I could download older versions, but like everybody else I want the latest version.

These distributors need to break apart the core OS and GUI from the other freebee programs. A two part installation would be nice. This way you could get the system (GUI included) up and running and then choose to download the rest of the package.

[Will_Zurmacht]

i just converted a box to RH 8.0, smooth setup even for SWB DSL. Still not MS quality, but better than my RH 6.1, 7.0, and mandrake 7.0. If you cant wait for the download (and I cant blame ya!) look for a "linux for Dummies", or other Linux books, most will sometimes carry a distro in cd's in the back of the book,so you get the book and linux for 19.99 (this is how i got RH7.0) you can also pick up a cheap version at places like Staples, I actually bought the RH 8.0 for 30.00ish. If worst comes to worst send me an email and i'll snail mail you a copy!

If ya wanna get real crazy, and dont have a spare box,get old apples from your local school, theyre throwing them away, and play with Linux on the power pc...yellow dog linux for PowerPC

[krb]

Just go to a website like CheapBytes.

They've got the 9.0 release of Mandrake Linux for like 7 bucks. And that comes on 3 real CDs (not CD-R).

[A CA Guy]

Question:
I just picked up a computer for fun to back up my system at FRYS. 800MHZ with Linux already on board.
Can that operating system handle most windows programs and devices?
Could I run Office 2000 and add my cd-rw hardware and run it's software? In general.

[dwollmann]

Most distributions try to cater to the broadest audience, that being folks who want to buy the package and install the whole shootin' match at once.

With that said, there are ways to start with minimal installs and then add packages as you go. Some distributions make this easier than others. Probably the easiest approach would be to visit debian.org and download the three- or four-diskette install set, write the diskette images to floppies, then follow the directions and do a network install off of one of the Debian mirror sites. That would cut your download requirements for a working system to a minimum, then you could fire up dselect and choose packages as you go.