I got a Linux Box! (and: I'm back)

[Jaded Masses]

Hey, as the STGODers may have noticed, I had to leave because of computer troubles (folks, command.com is an important file ) and I have returned with a new computer. Furthermore its a Linux box, specifically a pre-installed mandrake 10.0. (one of these but with 3ghz. )

So.... Now what?
For instance how do I browse a CD? install something? How come there is no root login, but some files/folders are root only? What software should I acquaint myself with?Any system settings I should be aware of?

I've never used Linux before and while I'm going to be using the GUI mostly, I would like to learn text only. I'm kind of lost, the GUI's pretty self-explanatory, but only for the things I already know about. There is a lot going on that I don't know about, and I'd really like to master this computer. SDNet is not the only place I'll be looking for help -I'll be reading tutorials and hopefully hook up with the local Linux group- but I'd really appreciate any you guys could give me.

[Terr Fangbite]

http://www.mandrakeusers.org helped me alot to learn mandrake linux. Right now it seems to be experiencing techical difficulties, but it should be up soon I hope.

[Einhander Sn0m4n]

Speaking of Linux for N00b!3s, what's the best distro for someone migrating from Windows? I hear Mandrake's friendly while still being powerful enough to keep people like Wong happy.

EDIT: BAD M0J0 ON T3H TYP0!

[Laird]

Speaking of Linux for N00b!3s, what's the best distro for someone migrating from Windows? I hear Mandrake's friendly while still being powerful enough to keep people like Wong happy.

EDIT: BAD M0J0 ON T3H TYP0!

I've been messing with lindows... or whatever the new name of it is called... I like it.

Edit:Linspire? I think thats what it's called.

[phongn]

I've been hearing very good things about Ubuntu Linux lately.

Mandrake is a pretty newbie-friendly installation. I have no idea how to use it, though, since I prefer GNOME over KDE.

[Praxis]

Speaking of Linux for N00b!3s, what's the best distro for someone migrating from Windows? I hear Mandrake's friendly while still being powerful enough to keep people like Wong happy.

EDIT: BAD M0J0 ON T3H TYP0!

Actually, the most Windows-friendly is Xandros Linux, but it costs $80.

[Darth Wong]

So.... Now what?
For instance how do I browse a CD? install something? How come there is no root login, but some files/folders are root only? What software should I acquaint myself with?Any system settings I should be aware of?

I've never used Linux before and while I'm going to be using the GUI mostly, I would like to learn text only. I'm kind of lost, the GUI's pretty self-explanatory, but only for the things I already know about. There is a lot going on that I don't know about, and I'd really like to master this computer. SDNet is not the only place I'll be looking for help -I'll be reading tutorials and hopefully hook up with the local Linux group- but I'd really appreciate any you guys could give me.

There's no graphical root login for security reasons. You can open up a command prompt and "su" to root. Some software is installed with a convenient installer program, while other software requires the "configure, make, make install" routine. You know you're quite proficient at software installs if you can successfully install MPlayer from source. As for system settings, I would suggest that you make a point of running MandrakeUpdate and downloading any security updates available for your system (although Linux apps are usually ultra-paranoid about security updates, and the majority of security updates are for local user exploits, rather than the Internet exploits that the average home user should be worried about, so there are a lot of security updates out there that technically aren't necessary if you trust the local user, which is usually, well, yourself).

[Jaded Masses]

There's no graphical root login for security reasons. You can open up a command prompt and "su" to root. Some software is installed with a convenient installer program, while other software requires the "configure, make, make install" routine. You know you're quite proficient at software installs if you can successfully install MPlayer from source. As for system settings, I would suggest that you make a point of running MandrakeUpdate and downloading any security updates available for your system (although Linux apps are usually ultra-paranoid about security updates, and the majority of security updates are for local user exploits, rather than the Internet exploits that the average home user should be worried about, so there are a lot of security updates out there that technically aren't necessary if you trust the local user, which is usually, well, yourself).

Thanks man!
We had figured out a way to get to root, but your way is considerably easier to use (as you don't have to shut down the computer ) I share this computer with 2 others, but being family I'm hoping I can trust them. Can you explain the "configure, make, make install" routine?

A question, How long did it take you to learn linux, or did you grow up with it?

[Drooling Iguana]

The "configure, make, make install" routine is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. To install most packages from source, after extracting the files from whatever archive type you download them in (usually tar.gz) you go to the directory that it was extracted to, and from that directory type "./configure". That'll launch the autoconfiguration process for that program. Once that's done type "make" to compile it, then "make install" to copy the files to the places they need to be on your system in order to run properly.

[Jaded Masses]

Okay new question.

I figured out how to mount CD's, except for audio CD's. The report given is
"Could not mount device.
The reported error was:
/dev/hdc: Input/output error
mount: /dev/hdc: can't read superblock"

It looks to my eyes like it means it doesn't recognize the data or something, but I would think I could still access it. So how do I load music CD's?