I think I'll give this one a whirl:
http://www.winlinux.net/ unless anybody knows something adverse about it.
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This post is kind of late, but I'll give my opinion anyway. While I don't have anything to say against WinLinux, since I've never used it, I'd say it would be wiser to go with a different solution. First of all, version of Linux that run in a Windows partition (such as WinLinux) are generally much slower than those running in a native partition, since they do something called a file-loopback device (or something like that, I don't recall the exact term), where files are created in the Windows partition that hold the Linux filesystem. You boot into DOS mode, then type a command and loads the kernel, and from there everything else, into memory, removing the previous OS. So while this type of installation is fine for trying Linux out, you shouldn't use it for a serious set-up.
Second is the reason to not bother with WinLinux. The newest version of Linux Mandrake (7.0 right now) has the ability to boot out of a Windows partition, but it can also run off of a native partition. I purchased the 6.5 version a CompUSA a few months ago, and it included a special version of PartitionMagic that repartitioned my drive without erasing my old data, so that I could try it out. I also purchased Mandrake 7.0 Deluxe at CompUSA a few weeks ago (I believe it was about 50 USD). While it doesn't include the version of PartitionMagic, the manual led me to believe that it comes with a version written by MandrakeSoft. The graphical installation is extremly easy to use, and the installation manual explained everything. As for booting, the 6.5 version also had BootMagic, though you could buy System Commander, or use LILO's boot prompt (where you type "linux" for Linux or "dos" for Windows).
Note that there are probably many other distributions out there that have these same features. However, I can't speak for them, since I haven't used them enough to comment.
Thank you very much, Keith. That's all I needed to know. I'll have a look at Mandrake before I risk all and plunge for Red Hat.
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hehe... maybe I'm biased, but if you're inclined towards RedHat, why not go all out and try them first? They just released 6.2, and their install package keeps getting better... []/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/]
I've run RH with Win98 AND winNT4.0 all on the same machine, with windows (either flavor) as the main boot partition... it's really not that difficult... and this way, you don't have to worry about getting used to one system and then changing to another... and then, of course, reinstalling mySQL, perl modules, etc....
It's all a lot of fun to do, but why do it twice? []/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/]
Matt
Eileen,
I'm no Linux freak, but I would decide to take Red Hat instead of Mandrake. I think it's easier to install and Red Hat is very popular. Myself, I'm using SuSE Linux, which is the most popular Linux distribution here in Germany and very easy to install.
Carsten
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Carsten Müller, Hamburg (Germany)
Yes, you're both right. It's got to be Red Hat. I Like the idea of having everything on the one machine too.
Now when am I going to get around to this....
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I don't have a bias toward distros, though most people seem to. It's just that when I went to the computer store, Mandrake was something like $20 cheaper, and it came witht he re-partioning tool. I knew that Mandrake was based on Redhat, though it's taking its own path now. That was version 6.5 (maybe it was 6.2 and MacMillian hiked up the number, I'm not sure). The install wasn't as easy as it could be, but it wasn't that tough. When 7.0 came out, I went to get that one, and checked out Redhat 6.2 while I was at it. Still more expensive, and it didn't have as much with it. Mandrake 7.0 was real easy to install. I didn't lost any of my previous work, since it didn't overwrite the /home and /usr/local directories (I think those are the one). Any programs installed after installation are supposed to go in /usr/local, so everything worked fine. I'm running Win98 on a seperate partition, and it isn't difficult at all to dual-boot. You just have to make sure you don't install LILO in the MBR (master boot record) if you plan on using another tool to dual-boot, or that you install Windows first (since it automatically overwrites the MBR). For now, I'm happy with my current setup.
Actually, I have no bias.. I just have no experience with the other distros! []/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/] The company I used to work at used redhat linux on its web-servers, and I got hooked up with it there.. since then, I haven't had the time to install any of the other ones to try them out... I've heard really good things about BeOS, for example... as well as FreeBSD... if there were just more time in the world... []/w3timages/icons/crazy.gif[/]
matt
Matty,
In reply to:
I've heard really good things about BeOS, for example
Yes, BeOS is great, but it's *no* Linux distribution. It's a completely different and new operating system.
Carsten
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Carsten Müller, Hamburg (Germany)
Carsten,
I stand corrected... []/w3timages/icons/blush.gif[/] I just visited BeOS's site, and although it is an alternative OS, and it is free, it mentions nothing about being similar to Unix or Linux... or Windows for that matter... []/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/]
I'm getting into the habit of spouting stuff off without really thinking about it... I'll have to watch that! []/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/]
Now, it's time to go close on our house... I'll be out of the loop for the weekend while we move into it... []/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/]
Enjoy!
Matt
Good luck with the House moving today, Matt.
See you next week.
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Matty,
only the so-called BeOS 5 Personal Edition is free (for non-commercial use). The Pro Edition isn't. That Personal Edition is ready to install under Windows, so you don't need an extra partition for it and you can easily start and use it right from your windows partition.
BeOS is a very interesting product, it's designed for audio and video purposes. It's very stable, and it comes with a very intuitive, logical and object oriented user interface. I like it very much.
Good luck with the house moving!!
Carsten
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Carsten Müller, Hamburg (Germany)
Eileen,
just thought I'd let you know... I installed turbolinux at home the other night... smoothest linux install I've had... ever! []/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/]
I decided to install all modules, and as an example it installed:
- Apache 1.3.9
- MySQL 3.23.something
- Postgres some.version
- Php
- DBI and related modules
- Python
- Mod_Perl and Mod_Python
- Firewall software
- proxy software
- network traffic logging software
- web logging software
- etc...
In other words... perfect w3t development system! Looking forward to using it... if you follow the instructions (which are pretty easy to understand), it installs right next to your windows system... (for those who don't feel comfortable making the jump straight to Linux...)
All in all, very slick product... (also uses RedHat rpm's...) I've been using RedHat for the last couple years, but I think I'm gonna take some time and experiment with this flavor... []/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/]
enjoy!
Matt
ps - does anyone else out there have any experience/comments about turbolinux?
I've just been over to look. All this is a bit confusing to a total greenhorn like me. Which of their packages should I get?
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eileen,
I installed their server product.... to be exact, it was the TurboLinux Server 6.0 Lite....
matt
Thanks Matt.
I'd have got the wrong one and given myself a lot of grief. []/w3timages/icons/crazy.gif[/]
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Personally I think you should try Debian.. It's one of the more popular distro's..
Only downside is that .deb packages aren't as easy to find as .rpm's.. eventhough they are a lot nicer.
Once you install, make sure to get the latest version of Helix Gnome if you plan to use it as a desktop.
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Jeremy 'PeelBoy' Amberg