Which linux distribution

[kasavien]

Hi all

I was wondering if anyone could help me, i'm looking to setup an old linux PC with a linux distribution. I'll be mainly using it to run a bit torrent client to upload and download essential mixes and the like. I amy also use it for a bit of programming, but its main use will be to run a bit torrent client. My problem is i only have a limitted knowledge of linux and i'm not sure what the best distribution for the job would be. The computer it will run on will be an old dell with a P3 processor 20Gib hard drive and about 256mib ram. If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated either on which distribution to get or how to set up what i need.

Thanks in advance

Andy

[Workaholic]

As you said you have a limited experience/knowledge of linux I would recommend you try something nice and simple such as Ubuntu (you can get these free from here... https://shipit.ubuntu.com/

[mike_w]

Something relatively small is probably best here, so Ubuntu sounds like a good idea. Fedora Core and SUSE are also pretty good, but they come on plenty more than one CD.

[johnny02004976]

yeh i went for Fedora Core too

http://download.fedora.redhat.com/pu...re/4/i386/iso/

free from the above link

[kasavien]

i've requested a ubuntu distribution, so i'll see what thats like i guess. I'm guessing i'll have to look online for any instructions/help that i may need, or do distributions come with documentation? By main concern is that i only have a limited knowledge of command line commands. I guess i'll have to learn by doing

[mike_w]

I've found wiki.ubuntu.com to be useful, and I don't even use Ubuntu.

[mrbanana]

If you have any problems check out the Ubuntu forums:
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/
You have to register first to use the search function.

Very helpful and friendly group of people. And refreshingly free of the kind of linux user who's response to every question is 'go read the man pages'

[atrull]

another vote for ubuntu or debian. Move to debian once you're comfortable with ubuntu and want a more technical oriented linux distro - they more than alot in common (ubuntu was original based on debian), though there are key differences.

[Whalefish]

I stuck Ubuntu on my old Debian box and was impressed.
I have also recommended it to a chap who wanted to convert his office over to Linux and he told me that he was surprised how easy it was to get it up and running.

[yamangman]

http://www.slackware.com/

[ikonia]

how many times must we have this thread.................

[directhex]

how many times must we have this thread.................

about once every six weeks.

it's always interesting to see how the replies change over time

[Workaholic]

how many times must we have this thread.................

Perhaps every 3 months (when the newer distributions comes out?)

[directhex]

Perhaps every 3 months (when the newer distributions comes out?)

you'd think that, but someone ALWAYS (in this instance johnny02004976) links to an obsolete version

[Tin Ribs]

Just tried SUSE 10 64bit Linux and I'm a bit stumped. Never used Linux before but I thought I'd give it a try. I was keen to see a 64bit operating system for speed and response but it seems there will never be a driver for my x-fi sound card and I cant get 3D graphics to work on my Nvidia graphics card. Still trying though until Vista rears its ugly head.

[directhex]

it seems there will never be a driver for my x-fi sound card

the key to driver support in linux, now and always, is to bug the company until they get sick of it & relent. see http://us.creative.com/support/contact/emailform.asp

and I cant get 3D graphics to work on my Nvidia graphics card.

http://en.opensuse.org/NVIDIA - though i have little experience with desktop RPM distributions