Linux on iBook

[TrenchMouth]

Hey all, I was wondering if anyone could help me out here.

I am interested in learning a bit about Linux and I would like to install it on my 500Mhz iBook. From my understanding YellowDog's Linux will run fine on it, but what I would like to know is if I can install it on a partition so that I can switch between it and X.3 whenever I need stuff from either end.

I will admit that I know pretty much NOTHING about Linux, and that's the reason I would like to learn. I have an 80Gig firewire drive that I use only about half of. Is it possible to run it off that and just leave X on my comp itself?

If at all possible I would like not to have to get an old G3 desktop to learn how to use Linux. Also, if you have any links to where I could get more info about applications availible that I would be able to use that would be great. I am looking for the usual; web browser, WP, and some design software, mostly 2d CAD.

Thanks for the help.

 

[MrBubbles]

Absolutely you can install both Panther and Linux on the same physical drive. However, you will have to partition your disk which will effectively erase all the data on the disk. Therefore you should backup anything important.

Also, you will have to use a bootloader to switch between OS's. I'm not sure which one you would use, but there is probably all the information you would need on Yellow Dog's site:

www.yellowdoglinux.com

You should probably buy a box set with support in case you run into any problems.

Good Luck!

 

[leet1]

Originally posted by MrBubbles
You should probably buy a box set with support in case you run into any problems.

eww, linux is meant to be free. If you want support, look on forums and stuff.

 

[rueyeet]

Careful which forum, though, some of those Linux fanatics think you should figure it out on your own, like they did.

I bought mine without support and regretted it right after install when attempting to run the network configuration gave me a bug report screen instead. Having no idea how to fix this, and no time to go crawling around forums to locate the answer, I've ditched my Linux install for Panther.

But yes, you can definitely partition and run both Linux and Panther. And with Yellow Dog, Mozilla, Open Office come with your install, so you're set for web and WP. For 2D CAD, I'm not sure, though YDL does come with the GIMP as well.

 

[TrenchMouth]

Thank you for the good posts. Very helpful. I looked on the the site and they did offer all the information that I needed to figure out how to install and boot properly, which is nice.

Sounds like a project for next thursday (my day off).

Thanks again.