[plug] Fwd: linux

[Denis Brown]

Hello, Steven.

> Dear Sirs,
>
> Being a beginner downloading from the internet is mind boggling,how does one
> get to save and extract to the right file.Any answers?Please inform me how to
> subscribe.
>
The subscription information will be on the PLUG website (left-hand side,
"Resources", Mailing list.)   The website itself, for the record, is at
http://www.plug.linux.org.au

The website also lists ways of obtaining Linux (in many distributions!)
If the thought of downloading from the internet is not for you, there are
several places in Perth (you *are* in Perth I presume) that will sell you
full- or starter sets of CDs.  Computing magazines sometimes have starter
CDs for various Linux distributions as part of the purchase price.   It
would help us to help you, if you would be kind enough to share some of
your underlying interest in Linux, your experience level and the
capabilities of the PC(s) upon which you would like to run Linux.

For example, you say that you are a beginner, but perhaps that is true
only of Linux - you may be well versed in Windows, MAC, etc and could
leverage that knowledge effectively to the new platform.   Linux varies in
its "user friendliness" at an installation level from the "insert CD1 and
boot the PC" through to highly interactive setups.   I started in using
Linux with a distribution called Debian several years ago, at a time when
something like 10 floppy disks had to be used just to get a fledgling
Linux installation going, then the rest I brought in off the 'net.   That
was very much a hands-on process with much manual figuring out what was
needed en route.

Back when RedHat was at version 8, I did a test installation and found it
a case of "insert CD1 and boot the PC" followed by hitting "return"
several times to select whatever the system determined was good enough.

If you have a particular interest in Linux vis-a-vis scientific computing,
games, multimedia, etc, etc that information would help in guiding you, at
least until you feel comfortable to experiment under your own steam, in
the choice of a distribution, whether your present hardware is going to
be suitable, etc.   Many variables as you can see.

Anyway, if you subscribe to the list, "Welcome aboard" and I'm sure that
you'll find answers to your questions with the people here.   Enjoy :-)

Cheers,
Denis (not quite the raw beginner I was 6 or so years ago, but still
learning every day!)