SUSE Linux takes forever to install, arrgh

[toalan]

My first time installing linux and it is taking forever to install, winxp seems to install so much quicker. What is the flavor of linux you would reccomend to a newbie like me? keep in mind I have been using windows all my life.

[jedijome]

i actually did the online install of suse 9.3 and i was really impressed by how fast and easy it was. are you doing the dvd install or downloading the install?

oh and if you're interested go try knoppix or ubuntu. i highly recommend both, they're really easy to use and have everything you could want or need.

knoppix is primarily a live cd/dvd which you can boot up off and poke around and see how you like linux and weahter it works with all your hardware, and it does this without changing anything. if you then want you can make a permanent partition/profile on your disc, you'll still need the cd but you can save changes you make.

ubuntu again is for the novice user. its avaliable as either a live cd or a install cd. give the live cd a try if you want and then download/install it later on. the live cd isnt as feature rich as knoppix but its easier to use, especially if you want it , say for your parents, who just surf/use hotmail, etc. not sure how the installed version is but i'm sure its really easy to install probably slightly easier than suse, thought i've never tried it.

overall i would say that suse is a good bet, for a windows replacement it sort of has the right mix of hand holding and user configurability and usability. its not going to be as easy as knoppix or ubuntu but itsnt as complext as gentoo either (which is really good if you want to really learn about linux, make sure you have a second pc connected to the internet for google though, its a must!)

[toalan]

I am installing via CD, actually I am installing it on a virtual machine, that way I can play around with it and not have it interfere with anything. Primarily I am installing linux because I plan on porting some windows apps I have written to linux.