[dba-Tech] Linux Newbie in Distress

Does anyone know of a linux distro that has VMWare built in?  Preferably one
that could if necessary run off of CD or thumb drive? 


John W. Colby
Colby Consulting
www.ColbyConsulting.com 
-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Tina Norris
Fields
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2008 3:52 PM
To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] Linux Newbie in Distress

Hi Jim,

Well, you are more help than you think.  Yes, Fedora-8 is out of beta, and I
did download it, too, but the class is using Fedora-7, so that's what I'm
trying to work with.

As an assignment at the end of lesson 1, we were to got get our Fedora-7 and
burn to DVD and/or CD, depending on whether we got the whole distro or the
Live Spin.  I got both, in both Fedora-7 and Fedora-8.  
Unbelievably long downloads - another mystery for me, there, since I have a
high-speed wireless broadband connection of 11 Mbps, yet the download was
going at speeds around 8-9 Kbps, but that is for another time - each of
these efforts took about 12 hours.  So, I have the DVD and CD for each of
these two Fedora versions - all the files properly burned from the ISO.

If I build a partition on my USB external drive and install Fedora-7 on it,
maybe that way I can finally get this thing going.  Thank you for the
reassurance that it should work.  I may come back and visit with you about
the dual-booting option my instructor suggested.  I just don't want to
damage my Windows XP laptop, which is my main computer.  (Yes, I do back
things up, but still. . . .)

I need to know about this stuff, so I'm not giving up.  Thanks for your
response.  I'll most likely be back for more help.

Tina

Jim Lawrence wrote:
> Hi Tina:
>
> Each Linux distro is different from the others. There are basic 
> features that are similar but specifics can cause problems. (the devil 
> is in the details comes to mind)
>
> I have familiarity with Vector, Susi, Debian, Unbreakable-Linux (an 
> Oracle Redhat ripoff) and my definite favourite Ubuntu Linux (which 
> really is Debian with a pretty interface).
>
> To get to the root user just go to the command prompt and enter su or 
> sudo and at that time you should be prompted for the root user 
> username and password. I do not know why the install did not prompt 
> you for root password and there is usually a request for partitioning 
> of the remaining drive home/main/swap. Both Unbreakable and Ubuntu do 
> that but I am not familiar with the differences related to Fedora. (Is 
> not Fedora 8 out of beta?)
>
> Both Unbreakable and Ubuntu are very friendly with Windows machines 
> and will not over-write any of the OS files. My laptop is split 
> between Linux and Windows and when the Linux was installed it allowed 
> me to select how much of the left space to use. Installed easily and 
> sees the Windows partition/file/printers/blue tooth wireless etc without
any problem.
>
> I am not familiar with VMWare as I have either installed Linux on some 
> computer fully, partitioned or through a Windows Virtual Server.
>
> You should be able to install Fedora on a USB drive maybe even an 8GB 
> memory card. Ubuntu ISO can run off the DVD and only requires a file 
> on a Windows drive for particulars.
>
> Sorry I could not be more helpful but I have had no experience with 
> either Fedora or VMWare.
>
> HTH
> Jim         
>
>
>   
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