Todd <nobody@nowhere.net>:
> I've decided it's time to jump into Linux with both feet.
>
> I got a new computer, because I wanted a dual-core processor.
> [cruft snipped]
> I can select which hard drive to boot from, so install PCLinuxOS on a
> second hard drive, with the Windows disk disconnected. I used the
> option to install three partitions. While I understand why I want a
> separate swap partiton, I'm still a little confused about these other
> ones. But I want all documents and downloads separate from the
> systems. But I don't know what /, /var, and /home are.

"All documents and downloads separate from the system" means you want
a /home ptn. Your install disks provide all the rest. Your data will
be in /home/youruser.

> Then install Debian, default multi-partition set-up. The gui won't
> load and I'm stuck at the command prompt.

In Debian as root:

dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

If you're new to this, you'll have to iterate through it to learn it,
but it's the best tool I've seen for it. If your video card is
nVidia, tell it "nv" for the driver. No, that won't do what you want,
but it'll work. Sort the rest out later.

> PCLOS still runs fine, but I've got five seconds to choose it over
> Debian. For now, I'd like PCLOS to be default. I've got a big chunk

Run both. At your level, you should be trying out all the various
flavours. I like Debian, Zenwalk, and FreeBSD. Go to distrowatch.com
and search for things that would do what you want to do.

Learn the installer. Install often. The more often, the better you
get at it. Debian's is the best I've seen, but that's me talking, not
you. You may prefer Mandriva, for all I know.

> PCLos is kde, and Ubuntu is gnome?

Once it boots, it's yours to decide. Mine runs neither.


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