First...

During install you are asked if you want a GNOME or KDE workstation install? What is the difference?

Next, anything special to setting up partitions? I created just ONE partition that used the whole drive, gave it a boot location and whatnot, looked fine but I could never click on NEXT? Why? I finally was presented with a Manual or Automatic partition setup and went with AUTO... Please advise...

Thanks in advance for any advice...

+LANce

Gnome and KDE are desktop setups. Many things in Linux begin with "K" or "G" - the reason goes back to its history.

The KDE (K Desktop Environment) is probably the most popular choice and is what I normally use.

Newcomers to Linux are normally better off using the automatic partitioning option.
Unlike Windows, Linux needs more than one partition in order to function properly. Giving it the whole disk is a good move because it will set up the optimum sizes for each partition and load the maximum number of packages (programs).

Stick with it - you will benefit from the experience. Good luck!

W

I don't know what version of Linux you have, but I just installed Mandrake 7.1 and took the automatic install option (also let the install program handle the partitioning) and I was very imperessed. The install asked for some information and simply ran to compleation without issue (a feat that was impossible on my computer with 6.2). After that it was just a matter of selecting the X resolution and I was off and running! I would suggest the same install of it is an option. Also take a close look at your install documentation, it should give you a good idea of how to setup anything that tha installer won't do automatically.
As for KDE vs GNOME, thay are just different GUI interfaces. I have never seen GNOME, but I have heard the 1.3 distrubution from Helix Code is very good and very stable. I am currently using KDE (don't know which ver.), it is still considered a beta according to my documentation, but it has worked just fine for me thus far.
I am new to Linux too, and it can be daunting at times, but work through the problems and it should work OK for you.

hi ,
for installing linux , basically u need 2 partitions minimum. 1 is the root partition , where all the programs are loaded and the 2 is the swap partition which is used like a virtual memory space . swap should be double that of ur ram if u have 64mb or less. root partition depends upon the nos. of programs u install

For advanced users u can have different partitions for ur kernel , user etc but generally not required . about kde and gnome our friends have already said the thing . i will just like to add that with gnome u can have different Windows Managers like sawmill / afterstep etc . KDE has its own KDM . But i feel KDE is much easier for newcomers . Mandrake is very good , also u can try Caldera's OpenLinux . RedHat 6.2 has support for 810 motherboards and has become easier than the previous versions

let me know how things go if u have the time

hi ,
for installing linux , basically u need 2 partitions minimum. 1 is the root partition , where all the programs are loaded and the 2 is the swap partition which is used like a virtual memory space . swap should be double that of ur ram if u have 64mb or less. root partition depends upon the nos. of programs u install

For advanced users u can have different partitions for ur kernel , user etc but generally not required . about kde and gnome our friends have already said the thing . i will just like to add that with gnome u can have different Windows Managers like sawmill / afterstep etc . KDE has its own KDM . But i feel KDE is much easier for newcomers . Mandrake is very good , also u can try Caldera's OpenLinux . RedHat 6.2 has support for 810 motherboards and has become easier than the previous versions

let me know how things go if u have the time