Get Started With Linux

Your Own Red Hat

There are several ways to get a copy of Red Hat Linux. You can order it directly from Red Hat Software or purchase a copy at your local computer store. You can also download Red Hat Linux for free, but doing so is a time-consuming process that can add a few wrinkles to the installation procedure, so we don't recommend it for first-timers.

Another alternative is to purchase a third-party copy online. You can get third-party copies of Red Hat Linux online for much less than you'd pay to buy it directly from Red Hat (which will cost you $80). We chose Linux System Labs. from Partition Magic As of this writing, LSL will send you its copy of the complete Red Hat 6.1 distribution for only the cost of shipping and handling. But be warned: If you buy Red Hat Linux from another vendor, you won't receive technical support from Red Hat.

The first step after acquiring the software is to set up a partition for it on your hard drive. You'll need a third-party program to shrink existing partitions and make room for the new ones. Our favorite hard disk partitioning tool is PowerQuest. from Ranish Partition Manager Its wizards guide you through the process of shrinking your Windows partition to make more room. Linux Documentation Project. is a shareware alternative, but its bare-bones interface makes it appropriate only for experienced PC users. Before you make any changes to your existing partitions, back up all of your essential files to removable media.

You'll need at least 500MB of available drive space to install Linux. Create this space by using your partitioning tool to shrink existing partitions, leaving a contiguous stretch of empty space on the drive. (This free space may be within a preexisting Extended Partition or on a completely unpartitioned portion of the drive.) Don't bother creating partitions for Linux in the empty space you create; we'll let Red Hat take care of that. After you've made some room, you're ready to move on.