[NTLUG:Discuss] Linux beginner list?

[Greg Edwards]

Wayne Dahl wrote:
> 
> Hi all.
> 


> 
> Sooo...my next question is...can you recommend a good email list for
> beginners?  Having read some of your posts, it's obvious to me that I'm in
> way above my head here right now.  That doesn't mean I'll leave, it just
> means I don't want to bother you folks with what you would probably
> consider painfully elementary questions.
> 
> I appreciate the responses to the last question.  I figured I would
> probably hear "upgrade your system" and I will shortly.  I don't leave the
> machine on when I'm not sitting in front of it as it's not on a UPS and
> this Windoze machine I'm using right now is getting even quirkier than M$
> can be because our power sucks here and goes off without warning.  Happened
> just yesterday and this machine was on while I was in the living room.  I
> REALLY need to get a couple of UPS's.
> 
> Thanks for the help,
> 
> Wayne


Wayne,

I'd say stay right here.  There are plenty of good answers here for most
any question you have.

There was an attempt to startup a newbie list a while back but I'm not
sure if it ever really took hold.  Anyone know the status on that?  Also
you can go to the beginners session at the monthly NTLUG meeting to get
some face to face help.

As far as your distribution goes I agree with the general "get a newer
version" responses.  You can go down to MicroCenter, Frys, CompUSA, etc.
and pick up the non deluxe version of most any distribution for $29 or
so.  Or just download and burn your own CD if you've got the tools to do
so.  I'm partial to Mandrake but virtually any of the majors will get
you where you need to go.  OBTW, only get Mandrake if you target is
Pentium class or better.  It's the only distribution that is compiled
above 386 class hardware.

Also I highly recommend getting to know how to get around the LDP web
site (http://www.tldp.org, was www.linuxdoc.org).  Good place to start
and they have a downloadable copy of the "The Linux System
Administrators' Guide" which is one document you really, really want. 
If you can spring for the cover price go buy the store copy as it helps
support LDP.

Good luck and remember "The only dump question is the one that was never
asked".  Well except for maybe the one I ask :)

-- 
Greg Edwards <greg at nas-inet.com>