Linux Which OS?? - network compatibility with XP.

I'm setting up a low end 24/7 download rig.
(p3-800, 512 sdram, 30gig, etc)

It needs to run:
Real VNC (a program that makes it remotely accessible form my own comp)
Some Torrent program
Some Download manager
Browser (obviously)
firewall/virus

I must also be able to simply send completed downloads in what ever format they may be (.rar/.zip) over the network to my main computer without any compatinility issues.

My main rig runs XP pro (always fully updated)

-So what OS???!?!?!?!?!

-Windows 2000: seemed the obvious choice, compatible with xp less sytem resources needed, but im havign trouble getting hold of it.

-Windows Lite: the horrible cut down XP mostly for the 3rd world markets, but less resources needed and shoudl surfice for my purposes, again trouble getting hold of it.

-Linspire (Lindows): Can still eaily be obtained for free with various vouchers all over the net, looks pretty good to me, but i have no idea baout my above compatibility questions???

-OTHER linux bases: Never used linux, dont know much about it, solid, reliable, good perfromance, less system resources use.....but compatibility a problem?!? networked with a windows machine?!?!



HELP!!

 

Well mate,

I just installed Fedora Core 4, Centos, and Debian 3.1 on one of my muck around rigs, no major issues as such with the first 2, (3rd ones install I found a little complicated and would def puta first timer off.

I can see my entire windows network, which is xp base units and Windows 2000 Server. Havent quite figured out getting the shared printer to work.

Getting the PC machines to see the linux machine, i got no idea, so i cheated and installed an FTP server prog.

In terms of drivers and hardware compatibility, your shouldnt have any major issues with Linux nowadays.

Its only a 650MB download and well a few hours of ur time, if u can afford thatI say give linux ago, a lot has changed since the old days.

Personally speaking FC4 and Centos were really easy to install as they use an installer to do pretty much all for u.

Nims

 

You can happily network a Linux machine with a Windows machine using samba (which basically does the file sharing stuff). There are various VNCs available for Linux, all should be interoperable. Again lots of torrent programs should you be that way inclined. Not sure about a download manager, although I would think there is something out there. Firefox will do the trick for a browser, and Linux has a built in firewall, and you don't need anti virus.

I wouldn't waste your time with Windows Lite as IIRC it will only allow something stupid like 4 programs to run at once, and has little if any network support. Windows 2000 may be worth hunting down though if you aren't comfortable with Linux. If you do feel like giving Linux a go have a look at Mandrake or Ubuntu, both are very good for the newcomer.

 

Cheers trig, that helped me too, got samba up and running now, .

MF, give it a shot dude!

 

i've heard mandrake mentioned alot.

I'll get hold if that.

can you clarify Samba? just a file sharing program?

 

From my limited knowledge (I just got samba running about 30mins ago). It looks like the part of windows when u right click and share a folder, except in windows its intergrated into the shell, here is separate.

(Actually I lie looks more like Server Manager from my NT4 days, but ignore that im ranting cos im excited, )

 

Copied from the duplicate thread:

 

Since you've never used Linux, I would stick with what you know. You might try Windows Server 2003 and use it as a file/download server. It's more secure than Windows XP and it's running fine on my 450mhz PII with 128MB of RAM.

 

If you'd like to try linux, I can't reccomend Ubuntu enough.
It's like a user-friendly debian distro.

I find that attaching to a windows fileshare is easier to do from linux than windows. I have 2 laptops and a desktop in my apartment, and my wife's windows laptop was a pain to get to print from the desktop's printer, primarily because windows refused to ask for a username and password, it just told the desktop machine her laptop username, and the desktop tried to find that user in an "allowed" list.... (without authenticating with a password or anything)

I can't begin to tell you how much easier it is to browse windows networks via samba in linux than it is to use a windows XP pro machine.

http://www.ubuntu.com
you can download the Installer ISO (single CD) or have them ship you some professionally pressed CDS for free.

They've also got a LiveCD that you can boot and get a feel for the OS before installing.
I also have more respect for Ubuntu because Ubuntu gives you everything you need free of charge, the company doesn't sell any "enterprise" version of Linux for a fee, and they offer paid support for the OS and all the main software they offer at a reasonable price. (but I've never had to use their support due to the active and helpful community over at www.ubuntuforums.org and freenode's #ubuntu channel)

 

i order some cds from them, i accidently ordered 10! which was the default amount, sure i can use them as costers though.

 

Just FYI, my Ubuntu cds took 1 month to arrive.

 

They encourage you to order a lot anyway because it costs them much more than the cost of one CD to ship .

 

Besides, if you get 10 that's one set for you and 9 to give away... Linux is viral, and Ubuntu's free-CD program is taking that even further!

The next release of Ubuntu (5.10) is just about a month away now, so hold off on ordering and get a batch of the new ones in a month or so.