anybody know where I can download the latest version of Linux

[bigslammer]

I'd like to give it a try and since it's free why not?

[KillerBug]

I would sugjest getting a CD of redhat from ebay. They sell them off by the hundered for $5 a copy, and usualy throw in an extra disk.

[Virus]

You can get it everywhere, but here is a good fast place to get anyone of them.

ftp://ftp.metalab.unc.edu/pub/linux/distributions/ (http://ftp://ftp.metalab.unc.edu/pub/linux/distributions/)

Now you just need to choose which distribution. You could download the whole install of linux, but that wouldn't be very useful if installing off of a windows drive.

If you have a burner you could find someone who has an iso image of linux. And download and install with that. I have one but I think it is corrupt.

First read the documentation and make sure your hardware is compatible.

To install linux. You need to get the boot disks made. Boot with them and choose the ftp install method and ftp server.

I'll use Redhat as an example. Goto

ftp://ftp.metalab.unc.edu/pub/linux/distributions/redhat/redhat-6.0/i386/ (http://ftp://ftp.metalab.unc.edu/pub/linux/distributions/redhat/redhat-6.0/i386/)

Then get rawrite.exe from the dosutils folder and bootnet.img from the images folder.

Go into dos and run rawrite. Follow it's directions. Also you will need a floppy for this.

Reset the computer and insert the boot disk. Follow the directions. If you want to keep whats already on your hard drive and do a duel boot. Don't choose Server or Workstation installs. Choose Custom and you will have to set the hard drive partitions manually. Read the documentation for what partitions you need to create.

After that you should get to a point where it will ask you for the install method. Choose FTP. Then enter your network card settings. It will ask you for the server where to install from.

url ftp.metalab.unc.edu
dir /pub/linux/distributions/redhat/redhat-6.0/i386/
^write down for future use.

It depends on your connection, but it should take a while to install. /forum/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by Virus (edited 09-10-99).]

[Dominus]

Now remember: there are many many more distributions besides Red Hat. Including: SuSE, Mandrake, Openlinux, Caldera, Debian, TurboLinux, and countless mor (though these will most likely sum up your best choices)

Take a look on each of their sites to see if they offer anythong you may want. I really hope that Red Hat doesn't become synonimous with Linux & that the market is open for free and spirited competition between distros. The more competition, the more diversity and innovation. Thats one of the few points of capitalism I like.