Linux For Newbies/Installation Walkthrough
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There are several types of install available for Linux systems, all of which (it seems to the writer) offer more options than what are used on Windows operating systems. In many cases this may become overwhelming to beginners, so we'll only cover Ubuntu for the moment, though this should also apply to derivative operating systems.
(Note: The following assumes that you are using a standard PC of recent manufacture or upgrade).
Ubuntu Linux has quickly became the golden boy of open source and is considered by some as being the first truly easy to use Linux operating system. This is largely because of the installation process which allows the user to run the operating system prior to installation.
To start an install, place the Ubuntu CD ROM (available for free via postage from www.ubuntu.com) in your computer and reboot.
When the computer starts again, it should display a screen with the Ubuntu logo displayed on it and a list of options. If your computer does not do so, you may need to reconfigure its hardware settings. The First option should be correct. Press enter to select it.
After a few minutes you should be looking at the default Ubuntu desktop with the operating system being run off the CD-ROM (at this point you should take into account that running an operating system on a live CD is much more hardware demanding than from a hard drive).
If you wish, you can get to know the Ubuntu operating system at this point. Using it in roughly the same manner that you would when fully installed (though it is advised not to log out).
Once you feel prepared to start installation, click on the "install" icon on the desktop.
Answer the questions on the first few screens of the installation window (language, location, etc.). When you get to a screen asking which hard disk you wish to install to, select automatic partitioning (manual is beyond the scope of this guide) and install to drive /dev/sda (the first disk on the first cable, C: in windows terminology) unless you have planed in advance not to use this one.
Continue to the next screen and then fill in your name and desired password. This will become your administrative account. If you do not want to use such on a daily basis, fill in your name as master user or such and place an appropriate account name in its text box. Using this account, you can create further accounts on the computer (note that the name Administrator is not available).
Once you have done this, click on Next, check the details are correct and click Next again to start the actual installation process which will likely take around 20 to 30 minutes at the most.
After this a prompt will appear saying that you should reboot. At this point Ubuntu is ready to be used.
