excelent distro but no good for newb's

Forum: User Feedback
Topic: excelent distro but no good for newb's
started by: totty

Posted by totty on Nov. 10 2003,13:48

Just like to say I'm really impressed with dsl, but I think it needs a larger user base before its going to be suitable for total linux newb's like myself.
I've found it too different to other distros to be able to search the web for help and try to muddle your way through which only leaves you with the forums on this site for help. Which if you look through you'll find loads where the problems were never solved, more than any other forum I've ever used. I'm not trying to blame the forum users (without there help I wouldnt have got x on my desktop or past the scsi scan on my laptop), but each person can only know so much, its just simply down to lack of users.
I think I'll probably try something more mainstream next like red hat and then maybe give dsl another go once I have a bit more experiance.

Thanks

Totty

Posted by That 1 Guy on Nov. 10 2003,20:34

Well I can understand where you're comming from. I was a complete linux newb and this was the first distro I tried. This was before the fourms were around. I used damn small to learn on because it dosen't need to be installed so if I screwed up I could just reset. Do it like I did, just jump in with both feet. If you screw up no biggie, just reboot. Now I'm not such a newb now I'm more like a newb with a clue(somewhat

), but to each thier own.

Posted by totty on Nov. 10 2003,23:32

Well I'm pleased to say that Thanks to some recent help I'm giving it another try.
I chose dsl partly for the same reason but I was also curious to see exactly how much could be crammed into such a small distro. I've always complained about bloatware. The problem was I hit a total dead end with noting I could think of left to try, with more users would come more searchable info which would make dead ends less common.

Posted by blahblah on Nov. 15 2003,07:34

Totty,
You did not specify what you really like to do with a linux disto-whether you want dsl as a LIVE CD or a hard disk installed system. If you want a distro with a lot of users I would suggest KNOPPIX and use it as a LIVE CD. It is also a good distro for a hd install.
If you migrate from dsl to Red Hat then as a newbie(I hate this word-I prefer Beginner) you are in for a big surprise as red hat is quite different to dsl.
DSL came from knoppix,so it would be better for you to go to knoppix first.And it only needs 1 cd .
The route you will be taking is DSL-Knoppix- Debian!

Posted by johnmarranca on Nov. 30 2003,17:52

As far as a distro for "newbies", I think DSL is PERFECT. Look, after struggling with Mandrake's "Linux For Windows", and a few other distros that I tried (and even became a shareholder of), they were still quite involved for the beginner. What's worse is that when mistakes were made, it was usually devastating. (Once or twice my "Linux Ignorance" even led me to have to revert to the old "a:/fdisk /mbr" to start AGAIN)

DSL running as the LIVE ISO is great (so long as you don't shutdown frequently), since any mistakes that a new user makes are wiped clean upon "reboot", I have learned quite a bit from using it in just a few days.

I now have a new use for my old AMD K-6 (I usually use BeOS...but the K-6 has a "non-compliant" video card)

John

Posted by Ono Tadaki on Dec. 08 2003,04:40

Newbs might want to try VMWare, an application that lets you install any operating system to a file that creates 'virtual' partitions for the OS. If you mess up just delete the file and reinstall... You can even make a back-up of the file so that you can replace the messed up OS if you screw it up. Good luck.

Posted by Rumble!! on Dec. 10 2003,21:06

I always suggest Gentoo stage1 for beginners

Posted by rob.rice on Dec. 24 2003,05:44

almost all distros are the same once you have them installed SOOOO
you could go any place to get help
try this place
< http://linuxcult.com >
or there a lot of mailing lists

Posted by Mika on Jan. 10 2004,04:55

I think DSL 0.5.2 is a very good distro, and it is also useful as a rescue disk. I downloaded DSL today after reading about it in < http://www.rootprompt.org/ >

My only complaints are:
- 60 Hz display refresh rate gives me headache (is there a way to change it?)
- I could not find a way to get my keymap (fi-latin) to load successfully

It might also be a good idea to remove all irrelevant knoppix options that do not work in bootprompt (displayd when F2 is pressed at boot)

I like the small size and snappy feel of DSL (loaded toram). I also like the selection of programs, all small but adequate for the job.

Good Job

I will be following the development of DSL

Posted by johnmarranca on Jan. 14 2004,16:51

I AGREE!!! The 60 Hz refresh is horrible!!! It doesn't cause many problems on my laptop, but on my 19" KDS, it makes you very light-headed. Granted, on my GHz Athlon, DSL is GREAT(!!!!), but if the refresh could be changed (I prefer 90 Hz MINIMUM...as I do in BeOS), DSL would truly be better.

jm

Posted by ke4nt1 on Jan. 14 2004,23:07

ditto on the 60 hz refresh ... 蟵 real killer on my CRTs

I have looked over the xvesa site for info... no such luck..
I don't know if it can be rebuilt from sources and modified
thru config...

Anyone had any success "apt-get"ing the xfree servers,
or any other xservers, and adding them to a hd install of dsl?
That would give us some options with refresh rates.