[ale] Newbie and Dual install

[Preston Boyington]

ringo wrote:
> I'm brand new to Linux but I'm taking a course at Ga. Tech that requires
> I use the software from http://playerstage.sourceforge.net/index.html
> which only runs on Linux. I have a Compaq laptop with a Pentium running
> at 475Mhz with 192MB of Ram and 2 gig free hard drive space.

First do these two things:
1) go to http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/compaq.html and look up your 
specific computer.  you will be able to see what others have running on 
similar hardware.

2) download a Knoppix cdrom from http://www.linuxiso.org/  Knoppix is a 
"LiveCD".  it runs from cd at boot time and will give you an idea of how 
your machine will function under linux.  you will most likely want to 
type the following in when you see the command prompt when Knoppix first 
starts:

knoppix desktop=icewm

this is known as a "cheat" (you will see instructions on pressing F2 and 
such for more cheats) and will boot Knoppix with the IceWM desktop. 
IceWM is more Win9x like than KDE and GNOME so it should be somewhat 
comfortable.

>It currently has windows 98 on it and I would like to keep it because some
> of my compilers and programs require it. 
> Is this enough room to install Linux?

yes, but with this laptop you probably shouldn't run desktops like GNOME 
or KDE as they are "bulky" (IMHO).  something like IceWM, WindowMaker, 
or Fluxbox would feel faster.

> Which version do you recommend?

debatable.  if you are just wanting something to install for the short 
term then i would suggest SuSE, Mandrake, or Fedora.  if you can get 
someone to walk you through the "rough" spots then I would suggest 
*gasp* Debian or Slackware.  Debian and Slackware are going to be much 
"lighter" on your system (again opinion) than the previous mentioned big 
three.

> How hard is it to install it and keep the windows?

it really is not hard.  just read your choices and ask questions.  most 
people here will help.

> Is there a site that will walk me though the installation?

ask questions here if necessary.  I have a Compaq laptop running Debian 
3.0 (Woody).  it has a 133mhz processor, 32mb ram, and a 2gb hard drive. 
  after a full install i haven't used but 600mb of hard disk space.  if 
i hadn't installed all those audio players, internet browsers, office 
suites, and games i could have kept it relatively small. ;-)

> Thanks
> Ringo
> 

your welcome,
Preston