linuxy

Thank you for the help so far. I now have an idea of what linux flavor and version I should be using for my limited resourced machine. The next step is: Where do I download those files from ? I have heard linux is free, so if I want redhad 9 for exmaple, where do I get it from. Once I download the image file .iso on to my windows xp machine, how do I verify the file and how do I burn it into a bootable CD-rom. My WinXP labtop does have a burner. Thanks, Linuxy

Hello everybody, my first post here. History: First and last time I dealth with linux, 1995. A friend helped me install a version of linux onto my 486 box. I remember it was and ordeal to install it and once we had it up and running I did not know what to do with it. So I reformated my computer and got rid of it. Back then there was no graphical interface and it was very hard to install it. Now, the present. I am giving linux a second chance. I am taking a windows XP class to help me with my level 1 support job that I just landed. The instructor is being brave enough to add some linux sections to every chapter to show us how similar graphical interfaces can be. My documents = my home directory, etc... I decided to take my old computer out of the closet and make it a linux box so I can do my home work at home. It is a PC with a K6 AMD 500MHZ processor and 128mb of ram. I was very amazed and impressed by how much linux have come along in terms of how easy it was to install it. I was able to install mandrake 10.1 with no trouble at all. Not only that, I was able to keep the original Win98 os on the first partition, I added Win XP Pro on the second partition and then I was able to add linux mandrake to the extend partition. When I was done with the installation, it all worked well. I have a dual boot, I can choose windows or linux. If I choose windows, then I can choose either 98 or XP. I am amazed. Here is the problem: Linux is basically non-functional on this machine, it appears as if the machine does not have enough resources to even run this thing. It takes for ever to load KDE graphical interface. I tried to load Openoffice and after 9min of loading I had to reset the machine. With regard to Windows XP, the machine doesn't fly, but at least I can use it. now, I don't know anything about linux in terms of tweaking it. So what could I do to slim it down a bit so that it would be able to run better on this machine? Second, once I get to the linux command prompt, I feel like if am standing in front of an endless sea and don't know where to turn or what to do. Third, I want to be able to use the graphical interface so I can do the simple and short class projects. Basically just learning where everything is in the KDE as it compares to where everything is located in winXP. Fourth, I wish I could set this box as a central machine where I can hook up my lazer printer, color printer, the wireless router, etc. This way my wife and I can connect to this machine from our labtops and print, access the internet, etc... Just to form a mini network. I know this is very long, but I had to get it off my chest and looking forward to some of your responses. thanks, linuxy.