Anthony1uk

Hi, i am considering giving linux a trial on my system. From reading around and asking questions i have decided this will be either Mandrake or Suse that i try.

I went to the mandrake site to download the software and it said there is a retail powerpack version of the software.

Is this version ulitimatelty worth getting or should i stick with the free version. Obviously if i like it i would like to keep it so i dont want to spend ages setting my machine up with installing the free and then wiping it off and installing the retail so can i ask is the retail version neccissary or recommended.

Or another option would be to have version 10.2 beta. Should i go for that instead.

Another question is i have saw the retail mandrake power pack version for sale cheap on ebay, But it is the 6 cd version. Can i ask being 6 CDs is it akward and fiddly to install and use from that (ive pm'ed the seller asking if they can get the retail DVD version i noticed they may possibly be a reseller).

Another question is if i get the mandrake (either 10.2 beta or retail version) how would i set it up. What i would like is to have it on my slave drive (if thats possible) and for my computer to automatically boot up windows but for some intervention by me (such as putting in a boot CD/Floppy or holding down a set of keys or something). Is that possible. I read somewhere that it is possible with Suse. Like i say i dont want linux to replace windows (at the moment at least) all i want is to be able to use it as a test so i would like to automatically boot up windows if thats possible.

Thanks for your help
Anthony

batty_professor

I would like to have continued this within the other Linux thread you started, but here goes. As far as buying a boxed distribution, I don't see any advantage for you, except that if you have a dollar amount invested in the software, perhaps you'll find yourself more commited to it. A word of caution, I can't recommend a beta version, such as Mandrake 10.2 beta 2, for it is still buggy, (although you'll see I am using it I also reported what I've found), and would not be to your advantage. Leave the research and bug reporting to the more experienced. 10.1 is a stable distro. and is a good choice. The installation should start from booting the computer with CD#1 in the drive. The installer is graphical based and nearly comparable to a windoze installation. The installer will want to know your time zone, your preferred language, keyboard preferences, your name, the name you want to use for a user name, and at least one password. Before you are done, you will need to set up a bootloader. This can be on a separate floppy, but most put it in a special partition on the hard drive. That choice is yours, however I discourage the use of the floppy, since it has physical vulnerabilities. IMPORTANT! The installer has partitioning tools within, it will ask where you wish to install your Linux system. For obvious reasons, do not select "erase entire disk", You may safely select "use free space", you can also cliick the "expert" button, for more partitioning options. This should show how the existing partitions are being used. Be very careful, as this partition tool is going to do exactly what you tell it, and it don't warn if you're about to write over your windoze partition. I'm going to try to upload a screenshot of a similar interface.

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Anthony1uk

Hi, by any chance does anyone know of any web pages which detail the differences between the retail and freeware versions of the linux software.

The two im most interested in are Mandrake (powerpack the retail is called) and SUSE.

As i dont want to waste my money if its not neccissary, but i really am curious as to what you are paying for in the retails as there £60 in pcworld

Thanks
Anthony

batty_professor

The Mandrake download page explains it well here. http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en/ftp-premium.php3

Wilber

I know that Suse is a bit more 'windowsy', in that it has more of an icon-drag n drop style interface than other linux OS. Although they all seem to be going that way these days. I prefer using a terminal myself at least you know what you are making the computer do. I would guess a prettier interface might slow down the 'puter marginally. If I was you I would get the free Mandrake. I mean it's free. It's linux. what else is there to it?

just looking at the link above, I don't think you need the retail version. Graphics cards drivers, Flash and the rest of the stuff it says it has are also free to downlaod from their respective homepages.