If you’d like to keep Ubuntu-family’s user-friendly interface take a look at Xubuntu

In other case you can try ZenWalk

File-system structure
/usr/bin – binaries for programs you run
/usr/lib – libraries that many programs depend upon to run
/dev – everything under here is a device like harddrive, cdrom etc…
/etc – usually most of your configuration files for the whole system
/var/log – this is the location of \\\”logs\\\”
/tmp – just like it sounds this is the location for temporary files programs use
/home – where your individual users are located
/home/username – all files for your username
Read more at
http://www.comptechdoc.org/os/linux/usersguide/linux_ugfilestruct.html

Michel

Thanks. A Bunch! Methinks you’ve just eradicated the last [procrastinational] obstacle to my crossover .

Two other questions, if you don’t mind and have the time to respond.

First one is about Linux distros. As mentioned previously, I’m working with Ubuntu 7.10 on a spare box. Is there another distro that you would consider to be better? Prolly not _superior_, just, perhaps, more suitable? I do a lot of Web stuff, mostly WAMP development, and I’m starting to explore Ruby/Rails as an alternative. Is there, in your opinion, a better platform for that than Ubuntu? Yeah, I know it’s subjective, but I’d rather have a subjective opinion from someone knowledgeable than try to winnow through all the various claims (many unproven) for the various distros.

Second one is about structure. As mentioned, I’m reasonably well-versed in DOS structure, but the Linux system seems a lot more free-form to me. Can you recommed any good treatise, preferably online, on the hows and whys of Linux structure? In particular, how to decide where a file - particularly a data file - should/could go and how to isolate such files from each other? I’ve kinda, sorta got an idea, but I’d really like to have a better conceptualization of the overall structure(s).

Again, I really appreciate the work with Info Select … most folk don’t know what I’m talkin’ ’bout when I mention it . You’ve just about made me a onvert … I’ll be setting up a dual boot system tonight .

Make a good day …
… barn

I’ve just tried the Info Select with both Wine and VirtualBox. It seems working fine.

Michel
(pronounce it like _mee-*shell*_)

(Aside: is your name pronounced _miss-*shell*_ or _*miss*-shell_ or _*my*-call_?)

I’ve been playing with Linux, various distros, since 2000-2001. Right now I have Ubuntu 7.x (Gnome interface) on a box (Gutsy Gibbon, I think, but I don’t really keep track of the names - version numbers are much more comfortable.) that’s only 800 mHz CPU and 256 MB RAM. It’s slow, but it works well.

I started working with PCs using CP/M (briefly), then DOS, so I’m accustomed to the directory structure more or less inherent to that venue.

The biggest single problem I have with Linux is that If I download a file from the Web, I don’t know where it goes . I can download it, but then I can’t find it .

Oh, yeah … thanks for the mention of the open source VM. The thing that’s held me back from doing a total switch is Info Select. I have about fifteen years of email, notes, and history there that I am loathe to willingly lose. I’m eager to see if Info Select will run in that environment. If it does, that’ll just about confirm total conversion.

Make a good day …
… barn