Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

rashadferguson · Sep 8, 2003, 04:09 PM

Hello everyone,
I have been thinking about trying out Linux for awhile now. I was wondering is Linux even available for the Mac? If so which is the best route for me to take? Plus I would like to know how well Linux and Mac works for you.

Thank You,

ambush · Sep 8, 2003, 04:18 PM

Yay!!!! This month's How can I install Linux thread!

there must be like 21890 guides on the net.. or you could just search this forum

voodoo · Sep 8, 2003, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by ambush:
Yay!!!! This month's How can I install Linux thread!

there must be like 21890 guides on the net.. or you could just search this forum

be nice now. you're a real nerd - he's just a wannabenerd

rashadferguson · Sep 8, 2003, 04:35 PM

Originally posted by ambush:
Yay!!!! This month's How can I install Linux thread!

there must be like 21890 guides on the net.. or you could just search this forum

Flattery will get you nowhere

This is more than just a how I can install Linux thread. I am also inquiring how is Linux when it is used on a Mac. Is it stable? Is it fast or slow etc etc? I understand that everyone wants there 2 nano-seconds of fame. However if you can not or will not contribute something positive why bother?

LeeG · Sep 8, 2003, 06:04 PM

Well said. I think its a reasonable question, like "what is state of linux on the mac THIS MONTH"? And what distro should I look into installing?

Things change fast enough that the only good way to find out is to ask people who use it and know it, and by and large for most topics I have found those people on these forums, and most of them are very helpful.

All that being said, I haven't the first clue about linux....

Lee

Mr. Blur · Sep 8, 2003, 06:13 PM

have a look over in the Unix forum - there are lots of Linux threads there to search through.

::maroma:: · Sep 8, 2003, 06:47 PM

I don't know about Linux on the Mac, but I saw a pretty cool commercial for Linux (by IBM). Apparently, Linux is a little blonde kid. And he's eager to learn.

nobitacu · Sep 8, 2003, 07:42 PM

As far as I know, Yellowdog is a very good Linux OS for Macs. Check this one out on Distro Watch. Hope this helps.

Ming

Earth Mk. II · Sep 8, 2003, 09:51 PM

Linux runs fairly well on macs. If you want the "latest and greatest" then I might suggest gentoo - provided you don't mind waiting a day or so while it compiles everything before it installs it.

Just be warned if you have a NVidia card - there are no drivers for it under PPC-Linux. X-Windows and all will still work, but you won't have direct hardware access for 3D apps and the like, and they'll run damn slow.

Leibowitzn · Sep 8, 2003, 10:14 PM

Lets clarify a few things first in case anyone is confused. Linux is a broad term that covers the "real" operating system (i.e. Darwin for OS X), a bunch of tools, and the GUI on top of it. Usually when a user installs Linux they install a "distribution". Distributions package all the parts of Linux in various ways and add their own friendly installer. Now Linux itself is cross platform and works on a large variety of hardware. But most Distribution target particular hardware.

So when looking to install Linux on the Mac you need to ask which distributions target that hardware. I believe the two most popular ones are Yellowdog and Mandrake. Here's some good info on installing Mandrake along side Mac OS X:
http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/dem...drake-ppc.html

If you start to enjoy Linux I would recommend buying a cheap (<$100) Intel machine and running it from there. Linux runs surprisingly well on slow hardware.

have fun !
Leibowitz

clam2000 · Sep 8, 2003, 10:19 PM

http://www.penguinppc.org

was one of the best resources I found when trying to install linux ona rev A imac. I eventually went with gentoo which has worked very well for my needs.

--will

bmhome1 · Sep 8, 2003, 10:43 PM

Yellow Dog Linux 3.0 runs very fast as a tri-boot (YDL, OSX, OS9) set up selectable at bootup. You have to install it on a empty master hard drive to format (yaboot) for the OS and clone back OSX into its own partition.

I suggest buying the $25 CD set or the kit with YDL book for some good Linux intro, downloading 3 700MB ISO files and burning to CD without printed guides can be problematic for one starting out. Read and reread the installation guides until you are certain it all makes sense.

www.terrasoftsolutions.com

jstein · 08:01 PM

Yes the UNIX forums have an enormus wealth of info on Linux. Welcome to the wonderful world of the Penguin