Mandriva Linux 2007 Spring Free on my T42

[GomJabbar]

Well about 3 weeks ago I installed Mandriva Linux 2007 Spring Free (DVD) on my T42, 2378-FVU. This is a dual boot configuration with XP. I downloaded the 4.3 GB .iso from Mandriva and it took awhile to download. About a week later Mandriva Linux 2008 came out, but I have not tried that release yet. Takes too long for me to download the DVD (FYI: there is a CD version available).

So far, so good. Most everything worked out of the box. I did have to download the firmware for my Intel 2200 BG card. I managed to get my Sierra Wireless 860 AirCard working. I also got bluetooth working, but I do not have all the features included in the Widcom stack (for Windows XP).

It has been a learning experience, but I am enjoying it (I am a Linux n00b). I must say that Mandriva is locked down pretty tight. You have limited functionality when booted into root. I install everything running as Superuser from my personal login profile. I understand this is the way to do it anyway. I had to learn some Linux command line commands. Most all the commands I remember from DOS do not work, but there are similar commands in Linux. I need to buy a good Linux reference book soon.

I chose to try Mandriva after a limited foray into Xandros. I hosed the installer in Xandros while installing some .deb files from root. This soured me on Xandros. I could no longer install anything from the graphical interface and I was not getting enough feedback from the command line to know what dependencies were missing or causing problems.

The primary reason I chose to try Mandriva was the positive comments I saw regarding it on Lenovo Blogs. So far, I am pretty pleased with the results, however I do not really know how it might compare with other distros besides Xandros. If I keep liking what I am seeing, I may become a contributer at a later date and buy the full commercial version. I understand the commercial version has things like the Intel 2200 BG firmware already in the package.

[doog]

That is what live CD's are good for. To see how a distro matches up with your hardware. Without installing anything.
And just seeing how it works and what it looks like.

Any rate welcome to the dark side.
Stick with it...It gets easier.