Linux Mint?

I just learn about it and have questions about it?


1.) Is this an operating system?


2.)I already have windows xp, and its running fine for now but let say something like a virus destroy my os, does a simple dos command C:format can do the trick and i will just download from this site (http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php), save it to cd and install it?


3.) Some says it comes with drivers pre-installed? (does the download from the site's the same?)





Anything you want to share or a must know for a newbie like me on linux?

Linux Mint?
Yes it is an operating system and fine one at that.





Linux does not contain viruses so no problems there.





To Dual Boot it with XP follow this easy to understand tutorial.


http://apcmag.com/how_to_dual_boot_windo...


Follow the tutorial up until paragraph Dualboot - GRUB Boot Menu, disregard the rest. The tutorial refers to Ubuntu, however with Linux Mint the same applies.





Yes it comes with drivers installed and many items of useful software as well.





I recommend you go for Linux Mint 4.0 Darnya (Main Edition)





If you would like any other help feel free to email me (see my profile)





LUg.





Debian Linux Geek


Answer the question and stop picking holes !
Reply:1) Yes and I am using it to answer this.





2) Virus what? You need an anti virus for xp. C:format will erase all data and make your computer useless..





Yes mint is installed by downloading, making a bootable cd and then you install.





3) It has lots of software pre installed like firefox, pidgin, pdf viewer and everything you will ever use but you'll have to install the graphics driver yourself using a program called envy.





%26gt;%26gt;Anything you want to share or a must know for a newbie like me on linux?





Read some articles on Linux, and visit some forums ( like ubuntuforums.org ) before you give it a go.
Reply:Welcome to the world of Linux! Yes, as a XP user, consider Mint an operating system. Linux is the system, actually, and there are various distributions to appeal to the needs and aesthetics of peoples needs and desires. Burn a few distros, (distributions) to CD, pop em in and feel your way around without installing them on your PC. Mint is a good one, and I have a bit of success with it. Linux has the value of extending the life of older dated machines, and actually speeding up some processes on newer Pcs. Neat, huh?
Reply:1) Yes, Linux Mint is a version of the Linux OS.


2) Best to invest in decent anti-virus software as Windows user. But a virus could be deleted by a format. And yes, just download and follow the instructions.


3) Most drivers will be pre-installed. You may even have the option to use it before you install it (Live CD mode).
Reply:1. No its not an operating system its a linux distro. The linux kernel is the operating system.
Reply:I decided to try out a couple of Linux ops on a secondary hard drive. I spent so long downloading so many different distributions and the best two I have ever used are OpenSUSE and Mandriva Linux.





When you boot from a Linux CD it loads all of the necessary drivers. when you install linux it comes with all of the default drivers. But if you want to update the drivers once your on the operating system it becomes a pain in the backside.





I had to use ndiswrapper for my WLAN drivers and it took ages for a newbie like me to learn to do that. I was unlucky because my WLAN card was kinda crap and Linux didn't have drivers for it.





Anyway, if your new to Linux, download some live CD's. These are versions of Linux that boot from the CD and don't need any installation of any kind, it gives you a chance to play around in Linux in a read only mode, this lowers the possibility of you messing up windows or anything else on the hard-drive.





Cya!





GoS (Now this is really cool!!) - http://dev.thinkgos.com/





SLAX live - http://www.slax.org/