Newbie

[Dave Talmage]

Hi Deenadayalan ,

As far as which is the best that is just a matter of opinion.
I like Red Hat and have been taking a look at Slackware.  For what you
intend to use it for, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Red Hat.
You can get more information at http://www.redhat.com
You should go to their download page, and find the page related to mirror
sights so you can find a faster connection.  If you have the hardware to
write CDs, it is easiest to download the iso images.
One nice feature of Red Hat 6.2 is the improved serial console
installation.  Using another computer and a null modem, you can install Red
Hat with speech without a problem.  To do this you would boot from the
floppy on your future Linux system, and at the boot prompt type:
linux console=ttyS1
for your second serial port or ttyS0 for your 1st.
Now you can switch to your talking DOS or Windows system and use a terminal
program to finish the installation.  They have made some major improvements
with the serial console feature in the 6.2 release.
As far as sources of information, there are a great many out there, many
are dated, but in dealing with computers isn't that the norm?  Try
http://www.empowermentzone.com and do a key word search on the page for
linux and unix.  This is a great sight for reference material with a
tremendous wealth of information on all sorts of topics.  Unfortunately,
the links are all on the same page so searches are necessary and you may
sometimes miss something of interest.  I believe the author tries to keep
like content together on the page whenever possible, so after you get your
first match go up and down from there for a bit to check out what is nearby.
Good luck,

Dave

At 03:06 PM 4/3/00 +0200, you wrote:
>Hi Listers,
>
>I am new to the list and would like to introduce myself. 
>
>My name is Deenadayalan Moodley and I live in South Africa.  I am a
>programmer for the South African government.  We, here at work are now
>introducing Linux.  It is my job to setup the Linux server.  The problem is
>I am totally blind and use speech and have no prior experience of Linux.
>
>My knowledge extends to MSDOS Windows 9x /nt.  Therefore, I would like to
>ask for help to be able to setup this server and become proficient in Linux.
>We certainly don't have any one in this department that even saw how Linux
>operates so that avenue is closed.
>
>So, my first question is:
>1.  Which is the best distribution of Linux to use with speech?
>2.  Where can it be obtained?
>3.  How do I use speech to access a Linux box to do the installation and
>configuration?
>4.  Where can I find a good tutorial in text form to assist me in my
>endeavors?
>
>Thanks for any help.