Reference http://www.redmondlinux.org/

I am so very sick of Windows 9x that I can't BEGIN to describe it. Every time I get this sick of it, I go to the net to investigate Linux, yet again. I bet there are several million people like me, just waiting for a version that is Windows User friendly.

After this latest bout with Illegal Operations, BSOD's, 15+ restarts per day, and recently getting a CD burner... I am seriously considering making the switch to a dual boot.

I read the descriptions of all the distributions available as well as several websites on the ones I thought I might be interested in trying, but there was ALWAYS something negative about the installs, even in the ones that say they have a GUI and are Non Unix - Layperson User Friendly.

I have considered the following distributions that promise at http://www.linux.org to be "easy to install" with a GUI but when you dig deeper they are not, at least not in my opinion:

WinLinux, BestLinux, Corel Linux, easyLinux, (there was a couple more...)

What I do with my computer is Internet Research for a local ISP here in Las Vegas.

I build Webpages with Netscape Composer and Notepad.

I surf the net, I do word processing.

I use email and my SoundBlaster/CD-Rom/RealJukebox give me hours of MP3 music enjoyment. Is the Linux Napster client easy to install?

I chat, use ICQ, nothing earthshattering. Windows simply has way too much "stuff" that I don't need or use. MY husband does even less.

I have some questions, and my system information is below:

1) First, I have almost zero money and wish to attempt this alone. Will I have access to my C Drive to ask questions if something goes wrong?

What information about my hardware do I need to compile before I attempt this? I want to be prepared. I know my settings for email configuration, and I think I can find the port info, but if I need info about my hardware, what do I need? I have all the manuals. If I am missing one I can get it off the net. Do I need any info from COX Cable, my ISP?

2) I have a 7.85Gig C Drive running Win98SE, and a 852MB (slave) D Drive. Can I install Redmond Linux on the D Drive? The RL site says 600MB unpartitioned. Does that mean the unpartitioned area is unpartitioned from Windows or just an unpartitioned 600 WHOLE MB's of uninterupted space? Are any modifications necessary? I can reformat my D drive, it is only holding some misc backup files from C Drive, it's nearly empty. I can remove them and Redmond Linux can have it as HOME.

3) I have a cable modem, it stays online. I live and work online. Do I need any information to configure it? Configure is a 4 letter word to me. I work at home and depend on this machine, but if it is as User Friendly as the website says, I am willing to give it a go.

4) What precautions should I take? I have backed up EVERYTHING I don't want to lose from C drive in event of a complete meltdown. What is a worst case scenario? I have read this website: http://www.linux.ie/newusers/beginne...neral-info.php and I am prepared to create a boot disk. After I download the RL-OS, I need to make the CD. I have EZ CD Creator 4, do I choose DATA CD that allows it to be read by other computers using windows or the DATA CD that is only readable from my CD Drive?

5) Am I correct in assuming that Linux will not be able to read my files in C Drive due to the 32 Bit? What is FDisk? Will I need to get FDISK for my boot disk? Or is this automated? (hoping) Will I have to go into the BIOS? *cringe* I assume so - I'll have to boot at some time and have the computer look for the CD I created in my E drive. Or is there another method...

7) Can you tell if it supports RealJukeBox? I would still be able to use Windows if I had to, I assume, but does most of the software written for other Linux distributions work with RL too? Also I use "Human Click" a lot, I'll check their site to see if they have a Download for Linux OS's.

My intention is to use Redmond Linux to become comfortable with the Linux Experience and grow into more complex versions at my own speed, probably settling on RedHat since it seems to be the OS that is most popular.

I realize the Redmond Linux distribution is for computer newbies, but I want an easy first 2-3 months. I love to learn and I am not afraid of the learning curve. I want to rid myself of Windows on my computer. I HATE IT. The last thing I want is to have a bad experience with Linux. I have heard of people getting RedHat first and concluding it is too hard and UNinstalling Linux. I don't want to be one of those people..

So, with that in mind, I am REALLY ITCHING to download the RL OS, are all of these components compatible with Redmond Linux?

I am running:

Award Modular BIOS v4.51PG
Motherboard is ASUS P5A Super 7
450Mhz AMD K6-2 3D Processor
Diamond Monster Fusion AGP (16MB) Video Card
SoundBlaster AWE64 - Model CT4520
8Gig C Drive is 32Bit, the D is not.
192MB DRAM
17inch Orion Monitor Model 7A730
Okidata Printer Model OL600e
UMAX Astra Scanner Model 2000P
Realtek RTL8029(AS) PCI Ethernet NIC
Samsung CD-R/RW Model SW-408B (E Drive)
Atapi CD-Rom - F Drive (slave)
Logitech Scrolling Mouse
...Really low on patience for WinAnything.

I am very computer savvy as a USER, not a tech. The creator states that there will be no command-line prompts in RL.., so I should be fine. I do want to learn all about that, I just don't want to be confronted with it the first day. Even though I have several years of computer and Internet experience, I had to look up what GUI meant... I don't need hand-holding as far as using it goes, I'll read the HELP files, learn the lingo, whatever it takes, but I am terrified of the installation.

Sorry this is so long, I am so very frustrated - me and about 100 million other people feel this way about Windows - RIGHT NOW.