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TerraGraphics Linux

Below are some things I've learned that I think you might find useful.

• The current most popular distribution (as of 2011) is ubuntu. It seemed sensible to start with this until I learn more. I first installed the 32 bit server release (not the 64 because my computer wouldn't support it) on 2011-01-17 and the workstation release on 2011-11-02. For the workstation, I used 32 bit because there seems to be better support for it. Of course that will change.
• Wine is an effort to run Windows programs without installing Windows

• The server is text only (no GUI).
• To support Windows workstations, use Samba (just select "Samba file server" during installation).
• ubuntu does not encourage logging in as root and suggests using the sudo command to execute commands that require root privelege. Here's the workaround for that:
  1. Type: sudo passwd root
  2. Set the root password to whatever you want.
  3. Type: exit
  4. Log in as root whenever you want to (just like any other Linux).

• The workstation version of ubuntu installed easily and I was happy with it.
• I was able to move my old Windows 2000 installation into a VirtualBox so now I can use Windows and Linux simultaniously on the same computer. I added this item to this website page using the Virtual Windows computer to edit the file and upload it via FTP from the Virtual Windows computer.
• The current version of ubuntu comes with the GNOME version 3 desktop. Fortunately, I tried an older one first and it had the GNOME version 2 desktop. I get the impression that Windows folks will like version 2 and Apple folks will like version 3. After I loaded the newer ubuntu and couldn't get anything done with GNOME 3, I found a way to tell it to use GNOME 2 like the older one did. The next update I installed a few weeks later switched to GNOME 3 again and I coud not get it back.
• I did some research on how various disributions are maintained and decided to switch from "easiest for new users" to "most stable". I was impressed with the idea that ubuntu releases live weeks and debiab releases live years.

• Debian was easy to install - either with the text interface or with the gui interface. It came up working fine with a very nice GNOME 2 desktop that I'm hoping will last until GNOME 3 becomes usable or maybe until I switch to KDE.
• VirtualBox worked but had to be configured after each bootstrap. I don't know why but I started over and it works fine now.