Questions from a linux newbie after some reading...

[ROL21]

so I have a basic and only basic understanding of Linux. Here are my questions so far

1. Where can I download Debian Linux at a decent speed for free (I think it is free?)

2. why is debian Linux 6 or 7 install cds large?

3. what is the difference between a "windows manager" and a "desktop system"

4. is there Linux driver support for my relatively new hardware like a radeon 9800xt?

5. from my understanding I can create a partition on my main OS drive and put Linux on my main windows rig. Will I have a choice to boot into either operating system then or can I switch between the two while the computer is running? how does this work? is there any chance of messing up my windows system if i install Linux on a partition on my main OS windows drive?

Thanks guys!

[ShockValue]

3: WM, Window Manager. Basically an environment that creates and handles the way windows are drawn and manipulated on the screen. Many people use one of these as their GUI interface, adding just the applications they need. (See FluxBox, E, etc.)

DE, Desktop Environment. Based on a WM, but also includes lots of integration like a File Manager, some basic applications, tighter communication between applications, etc. (KDE, Gnome, XFCE4)

4: Yes, but it can be a bit tricky to setup (I've never used debian, so I don't know the details) and currently ATI drivers under linux aren't as fast as their windows counterparts.

5: Debian can install a 'bootloader' which will let you choose which operating system to boot when you start your machine. You can screw this up and bork your windows partition if you are not carefull. But if you read the docs and proceed carfully, you should be fine (many many people do it this way.)

[Elmo187]

1) www.linuxiso.org

[Zlash]

2. why is debian Linux 6 or 7 install cds large?

Because there are over 10000 software packages for it. You only need cd 1 to install it and you can get the rest( and latest) from apt-get through ftp.

[ROL21]

awesome, thanks guys!

[MTB2Live,Live4Comps]

debian is, from my understanding, pretty much fully against closed-source software. from what i've heard ati's official drivers aren't included in apt (or, you might need to edit some config files so that debian unstable and debian nonfree respitories are also used). sorry i can't help more with specifics, im not a debian user (tried it - didn't like it. gentoo was my match).
[edit] just checked debian's site, they're not making a package for apt. so you'll have to install the 3d manually. check out ati's website for some directions. www.linuxquestions.org might be a good place to look for help in, unless there are debian-specific forums (im sure there are, i just never cared to find them).

the ati drivers themselves are a mixed bag. they get you 3d support, and they play the bulk of the games nvidia's glx drivers will. so they work. dual monitor support is there, along with tv-out. neither is simple to configure, but it's not impossible either. they're pretty slow, atleast as compared to under windows, but they're still enough to play most everything. the install program ati bundles is a bit more useful than nvidia's methods, but it can still be a bitch if you mess up mid-way through.

[cloaked]

yes, mtb2live is correct about debian: they are some of the most strict and firm believers in open source, i doubt there is any closed source apps in the apt-get repositories. However, they can be gotten from ati as rpms only (last i heard, luckily i get to use the far superior nvidia linux drivers :cool:), which can be unpacked with the rpm2targz util. you will still get decent enough performance as the card will outweigh the performance loss from bad drivers.
to get dual booting set up try gentoo.org -- docs section -- instalation guide -- dual boot config. it will be fine, as long as you dont do anything stupid with your partition table, windows will not be affected.

a desktop manager is basically packages containing a window manager and other apps you typically use everyday (email, text editing, office) all intregrated together so you dont need to fool with file associations and puting things in menus as much as in a standalone wm with your choice of apps. however, you will get more bloat and less performance on kde/gnome than a *box