So I decided that next semester I would turn my old 550mhz box into a linux server to handle my file sharing. I'm learning basic Linux commands using Knoppix 3.7, and I'm wondering if anyone has some useful info for me; such as: suggestions for a Linux OS, HD formatting, Software to use etc? Keeping in mind that I am a noob.

Don't use [linux distribution], use [other linux distribution] you silly noob!

Depends. Answer a few basic questions for us:

How automatic do you want your computer to be? This is in regards to security updates, hardware detection and driver installation, and other general housekeeping tasks the OS does in the background.

How secure do you want it to be? Many "desktop" Linux distributions have lax security policies to ease the transition from other operating systems. The more technical distros implement a tighter classical unix-style environment which is less friendly to hostile takeovers.

Do you have an aversion to learning? Do you want something that "just works," or are you willing to get your hands dirty? Any experience with a shell? Ever hand-edited a configuration file for a complex program like Apache or X?


I have no doubt that after I post this, the more zealous users will come out of the woodwork and yell "Use Ubuntu! Use Fedora! Use Mandrake!" without even considering your needs or situation. I dare them to prove me wrong by posting thought-provoking questions instead.

Well if all you want it to do is simple file sharing any distro will do. I don't think security is really an issue for a lan server.

What you probably need is a distro that is well documented, or has good support forums.

Since you have knoppix, why not install that to hard drive? As far as software, the main thing you need is samba for file sharing.

As per request I have posted "thought-provoking question instead". I hope I helped prove you wrong, but I don't see how posting "thought-provoking question instead", would accomplish this.
Sincerely
Obviously Lame Smart-Ass

Never redone a config file (unless you count pc game configs). And in terms of automation, I really don't want to be bothered with it very much. My goals in this project are to A) learn how to use Linux (not necessarily well) and B) get rid of people downloading from me so I can game in peace.

Nah, you gotta use the HURD!

I do not think slackware is the best distro out there, but it is a very good "learner" distro. Simple and plain.

ok, i'll look into slackware.

http://www.gentoo.org

i just recently went to gentoo as my final linux distro.

ive tried the following:
debian
slackware
redhat
gentoo
mandrake
freebsd (not linux)
and a few other small distros (im assuming you ant to stay mainstream)

My current setup:
Gentoo 2004.3

I will never go back to the other builds. If done correctly, all of them can work for you, but I of course recommend Gentoo because it makes you in control the second you start emerging ebuilds.

Gentoo is easy to use (once you get the install done correctly) and has a great package manager.

Im not trying to sway you here but look into it if you want something that will get you up and running while still letting you get your feet wet.

gentoo is great, but if you're just starting with linux you've gotta be willing to dedicate a decent amount of time to it. its got a pretty steep learning curve compared to other distros. that, and the fear of being called a gentoo elitist asshole, are the reasons i almost never recommend it.

it is good though, ive been using it exclusively since around april. and i really dont even have any desire to try another linux distro. ive been wanting to give freebsd a try, but every time i get another box to play with i end up just installing gentoo on it.

What mee said is very true about time. The benefit of this is that you will LEARN about linux rather than have everything automatid for you.

I have been using linux EXCLUSIVELY for a month, and before this only used each other distro maximum of a week. I found myself hating linux because all other distros seemed to want to do it for you. Finally I found gentoo and I will never change distos and I am finally done with Windows .

If you do end up running gentoo I have this advice, start off with a stage3 tarball, then chose all your packages and try them out. Then reinstall using a stage1 and emerge all packages. Then your system is HOT!!

Good luck with whichever distro you chose.

(Check out fvwm for whichever distro you chose as well, its my fave )

gentoo is not elite. it has amazing documentation, so even a monkey can install it.

Gentoo may not be elite, but it is fast!

even if you HATE gentoo, if you have used it at all you should HATE that stupid ass website. the hatred has nothing to do with gentoo or linux itself, but that so many people think those quotes are "funny" just because they use a bunch of technical terms you dont understand.