Web server address - 246Part IIIChoosing and Installing a Linux DistributionFinding Another
246Part IIIChoosing and Installing a Linux DistributionFinding Another Linux DistributionYou can go to the Web site of each distribution (such as http://fedora.redhat. com/downloador http://slackware.com/getslack) to get Linux software. Those sites often let you download a copy (or sample) of their distributions andgive you the opportunity to purchase a boxed set. However, a way to get a more complete view of available Linux distributions is to goto a Web site that s dedicated to spreading information about Linux distributions. Use these sites to connect to forums, download sites, and documentation aboutmany Linux distributions. Here are some examples: .DistroWatch (www.distrowatch.com) The first place I go to find Linux distributions is DistroWatch.com. Go to the Major Distributions link to readabout the top Linux distributions (most of which are included with this book). Links will take you to download sites, forums, home pages, and other sitesrelated to each distribution. .LinuxISO (www.linuxiso.org) Like DistroWatch, this site also connectsyou to download sites, as well as forums, home pages, and other sites forLinux distributions. Look for the Helpful Stuff box on the LinuxISO home pagefor great information on getting, burning, and verifying Linux ISO images. .Linux Help (www.linuxhelp.net) Select the ISO images link from thissite s home page, and you can find download links to ISO images for many ofthe most popular Linux distributions. If you don t want to download and burn the CDs yourself, there are plenty of ads onthose sites from places willing to sell you Linux CDs or DVDs. Distribution prices areoften only a little bit higher than the cost of the media and shipping. If you really likea particular Linux distribution, it s a good idea to purchase it directly from the orga- nization that makes it. That can ensure the health of the distribution into the future. Books such as the Red Hat Fedora Linux Biblecan also be a good way to get a Linuxdistribution. Up-to-date documentation is often a weakness when you have nothingbut a CD to start out with. Standard Linux documentation (such as HOWTOs andman pages) are often out of date with the software. So, I would particularly recom- mend a book and distribution (such as this one or Red Hat Fedora Linux Bible) forfirst-time Linux users. Understanding What You NeedBy far, the most common way of getting Linux is on CDs, or secondarily, DVDs. Thenext most common way is to start with a floppy or CD that includes an installationboot image and get the parts of Linux you need live from the network as you installLinux. The images that are burned on to the CDs are typically stored on the Internet inwhat are called software repositories.You can download them and burn them to CDsyourself. Alternatively, the software packages are usually also included separately14_