SpudFiles

Anyone here use Linux or have experience with reformatting computers to use it? I'm asking because I'm going to run Linux on a very old HP 6330 to see how I like it and if I do I'll download it onto my computer that I use.
BTW I'm going to use an aLinux model from here.
EDIT: anybody???

I dual boot my computer with Ubuntu. Its a free version of linux.

I'm a network administrator. I have *nix (linux, unix, freebsd) experience and have done... thousands... of reformats.

One wonderful thing about Linux, besides the open-source community and work environment, is the huge resources of help and how-to's. There are complete step-by-step guides to reformatting and installing most versions of Linux.

Since your "test" computer is so old, you won't be able to run any of the new (and best) versions of Linux. I'd try something like Knoppix first, which runs from a CD and requires no installation to your hard drive - so you can even run it on your "good" computer without installing it to the drive.

Linux is very reliable, much more stable and secure than Windows, and 95% of the software you'd need for it is free. There's great help available online, too. Having said this, most versions of Linux are not for computer newbies. You should be comfortable working in a command-line (DOS, console, etc...) environment, and preferably have a basic understanding of programming (Not saying you should know how to write code, but understand the principals of computer programming [very useful for setting up config files, etc... in linux]).

Linux Mandrake (now Mandrivia) is a great one to start with (after you try Knoppix, since it boots from CD). Mandrake/Mandrivia is uber-easy to install and use. Ubuntu isn't bad for ease of use either. Once you get comfortable with a reasonably user-friendly linux, try Debian. It's a little more command-line based than many of the others, but in my opinion, it's the best all-around (apt-get anyone?).

Let me know if you have any issues finding Linux help sites/forums. If you have any particular questions, feel free to IM or email me.

Good for you for trying out open source.

Peace,
Pete Zara.

Holy sh*t...
Excuse me but an HP 6330?!
HOLY CRAP!!!!!!

Dude, if you want to see if you like linux, don't put it on something like that.
Just about ANY linux distro would suck on it....
sry...

I dual-boot!

Yep, 1998 HP 6330 but I figured it can run Windows XP so I though Linux would work.

Wow, I can't believe you got a working copy of linux on there...
Well, I can say this, you're not going to want to ever convert 100% to linux, simply because, as sad as it is, 87% of software is made for windoze...
(REAL STATS!!! I sW3@r!)

I dual-boot, Vista RC2 beta and SuSE Linux 10.2

aLinux is GREAT for a first timer. Although I do recommend Ubuntu...
I use SuSE because that's the CD (well DVD...) I found on my roommate's desk...

If you get serious, go ahead... Buy Red Hat... Or pirate it (WHICH I DON'T SUPPORT AT ALL )