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Hi John,
Thanks for all your comments...they are helpful and encouraging. For the moment, I'll just reply to this one bit...
On Wednesday, November 12, 2003, at 10:28:07 AM PST, you wrote:
Well, first, I wrote:
3) As a total "newbie" getting ready to perform my first Linux installation, should I be concerned enough about these various issues that I should perhaps pay my local computer tech to come over here and hold my hand as I go through this process?
Then you replied thusly:
You could if your computer tech isn't a Windows weenie who only knows wizards and the MS bible of "reinstall if it doesn't work". A hard habit to get out of, I can tell you.
I've certainly encountered the type described above, but he's not one of them (as evidenced by his reluctance to simply re-install when he's helped me over the past four years with my troublesome Win98SE and WinME computers...often finding more focused solutions). I feel that I can trust him to help me with my Mandrake installation, as he has a lot of experience with not only Windows, but also Linux distros and Mac. Before he went into business for himself, he was for many years the computer hardware/OS/network guy for Boeing, and dealt with everything from mainframes to the various flavors of PCs and laptops with a variety of OSs.
He custom built my new computer for me, and I know that he also builds computers and installs OSs for people who use only Linux distros. In each case, he installs only hardware he's sure will work well with the intended OS. That said, he built this computer with WinXP in mind, so we'll see what happens when the Mandrake installation takes place.
I am thinking that I would be more comfortable with him here to help me with the installation, because he would have a better chance than I of understanding and dealing with any obscure technical issue if it pops up during installation. I'll certainly be watching over his shoulder (or asking him to look over mine), so I don't think I'll really miss any learning opportunity by just having him here. More likely, just the opposite, as he can explain to me as we go along just what might be happening.
Melissa,
My first linux was Mandrake 9.0 which I started on just under a year ago. I missed out 9.1 because I hadn't finished fixing the things I messed up in 9.0, and I've just installed 9.2 - mostly successful so far! I've learned that the best way to learn Mandrake is by doing it. If you feel more comfortable having your tech friend there, make sure he knows that his primary role is to keep you supplied with coffee (or other beverage of your choice!). By all means ask questions, and let him jump in if you look like you are getting lost, but you need to be the one doing most of the work.
Before you start, make a list of all the hardware you've got, and make sure it is all connected and switched on - Mandrake is pretty good at auto-detecting, but it sometimes gets it wrong, so check before accepting Mandrake's selections. Make sure you know all the details of your internet connection! And make notes at each stage of the installation, so you have records of which options you've chosen - very useful if you need to change anything later!
I recommend a book called "Moving to Linux - Kiss the Blue Screen of Death Goodbye!" by Marcel Gagne - a very useful starter guide for people looking to move away from Windows - I wish I'd had this book before I started!
Good luck with your installation.
Margot
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