Fedora Linux

Anybody have this OS installed? I downloaded a version (turned out to be an older version) and installed it on my computer last night. It wouldn't boot up to the "desktop" screen...it kept asking for a login and password- both of which I had never assigned. With a little search, I discovered that I had installed an older version of Fedora (Version 2) and I am currently downloading version 4. I am hoping this will work. I'm using it - or going to use it - as a duel boot with Windows XP Pro. During the installation phase, I was reading off what it was installing, and looking forward to all the neat stuff that comes with Fedora - but of course I was disappointed when this version kept giving me errors (something about server X couldn't be loaded??)

So, does anybody have Fedora 4 Linux installed? If not, which versions of Linux do you guys like the most? I've used the live cd boot of Knoppix before and it's pretty cool - but you don't get everything that supposedly you get with Fedora. I like the idea of configuring the installation to be used either as a home desktop OS, a Workstation OS, or a Server OS. I mean come on, if you bought a Windows based sever OS, it'd cost you $$$ hundreds of dollars!

How new of a computer are you installing this on. X server probably wouldn't start due to lack of hardware support for your graphics card. Fedora 4 will most likely get you going.

I have never used Fedora but I did cut my teeth on Red Hat 9 while I was in school. Since then I have mainly used Ubuntu and SUSE. By far I like SUSE 10.0 because it is the most complete after installation. It allows you to load Java, flash, and many other video codecs while you install.

How much have you used Linux in the past. It is tricky to learn how to install new programs that aren't packages. I have some good sites that could help you learn some basics.


Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntulinux.org/)
Ubuntu Guide (http://www.paulstamatiou.com/2005/10/24/how-to-ubuntu-linux-for-novices/)
SUSE (http://www.novell.com/linux/suse/)
Tips for Linux (http://www.codecoffee.com/tipsforlinux/index-linux.html)
Adding Windows Media Support (http://allyourtech.com/content/articles/28_12_2005_add_windows_media_support_to_your_linux _box.php)

Play around with those and let me know if they help any.

Thanks! I was about ready to ask how to install new packages. I was trying to install real player 8....not that I really wanted it, but just because I wanted to see how to install downloaded programs. The Fedora Core 4 installed like a breeze.....actually using it right now. I have messed around with Knoppix some....just booting it off the cd and playing around with it. Of course, I couldn't download and install linux programs that way.... This has alot development tools...supposed to come with Eclipse for java developement. I chose the workstation installation, so I could customize what software I wanted to install. I installed mysql (hopefully I can use that with the java development,) some other development tools for C and C++...etc....what I found interesting is that I can customize the installation anywhere from just being a home desktop OS to being a server OS. Once I get comfortable with the basics, I might try it out on a better computer and see if I can set that computer up to be a server. I have installed this on a pentium III Dell. I got it duel booting with Windows XP Pro. So far, everything is working quite well.

I spent 2 years trying to get an install of MythTV working on Fedora and a couple of Xboxes. It worked OK, but it was a constant struggle to get things working right. Devices are so different that it is definitely not for the timid. I ended up trashing it recently and going with Windows MCE - worked fantastic out of the box.

Linux is great, but it's a lot of work if you aren't familiar with it. If you have the time and the inclination, though, you can't beat the cost!