[NBLUG/talk] Where to start???

[hayden]

Hi All,

I have been lurking for a while trying to gain some understanding of this
Linux thing, and have decided that instead of calling myself 'hayden the
hatchling' it should be 'hayden the egg'.  Should any of you adult penguins
feel disposed to 'sit' on this egg until I can figure out how to peck my way
out of my shell it would be greatly appreciated!

    Note: While a certain amount of "monkey see, monkey do" instruction is
to be expected at the begining stages, I have a genuine desire to understand
the "how and why" of things.  Hence, while answers of a, "Go hither and do
thus", nature will be gratefully recieved, it is to be hoped that they will
from  time to time include instruction along the lines of "Go to URL
'..xyz.***' and read section 9 paying particular attention to sections 9.3
and 9.4!".....or something like that!  Hopefully that's not too much to ask.
re: Books;  I'm  retired on a very limited income and cannot afford to
invest several hundred dollars in books.  As I don't want to start any
arguments here about relative merits, I ask that you suggest, what are in
your opinion, "the best three ", by e-mail to: hayden at pacific.net.  And
thank you.  (Please use 'Linux books' in subject line so I don't accidently
dump you into the 'Block Sender' file.  tx.)

My equipment and distribution choice:

The tentative distribution choice is Debian.  In my reading there seem to be
two arguments against this choice.  a) It's not cutting edge. (Scarcely a
consideration for an 'egg'.)    b) It requires more commands being typed in
(and don't make a mistake or you'll screw things up!)   hmmm!  First time I
picked up a hammer I missed the nail, .....but I learned.
If there are more compelling reasons for another choice I will, of course,
listen to them carefully.

Equipment:

    I bought my 'box' used about five years ago and the only original things
left in it are the video and sound cards.

Motherboard:  FIC VA 503+  via mvp3 chipset  L2 cache

CPU:              AMD K6-2  500 Mhz  (pc 100 bus)

Core (ram):   128 + 64 dimm (I think in Linux world ram is called Core,
isn't it?)

H.D.:              20 Gig

Sound card:  Creative labs model # ct 2260   (main chip Vibra 16)

Video card:   Cirrus  isa  vga  1 mb

Modem:       Actiontec 56k voice   (my constant connection speed is 31,200
bps)

Monitor:      Dell (if model is important let me know)

Keyboard:   Omnikey Plus (northgate)  (If anyone knows where I  can obtain a
floppy and/or manual for this I'd be grateful!)

Printer:       Hp deskjet 940c

CD  drives:   52x and a brand spanking new Memorex 52x32x52

floppy drive:  about two yrs old (if brand or model important let me know)


I had hoped to download Debian with the new cd burner  but apparently my
slow connection precludes this.   Reading nblug posts indicate it will,
nonetheless, be useful in the future.

So there I am folks.  Anyone want to help create a "hatchling"?

yr. obdnt.srvnt.,

"Hayden the egg"

P.S.  Any word on the next Ukiah lug meeting?