[asterisk-users] Looking for starting point?

[Race Vanderdecken]

As a starting point for Linux installs I would recommend Ubuntu Linux.
 
Easy to setup, you don't need a Linux Administer degree to get started.
 
I stopped using Fedora after the 4th hard disk failure for no reason on
EXT 3.
 
PS
            I too am an older developer. Let me know if you need help
programming. I could use some advice on telephone circuits.
 
 
 
Race Vanderdecken
Code Tyrant, Inc.
Somewhere near Asheville, NC.
 
-----Original Message-----
From: asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com
[mailto:asterisk-users-bounces at lists.digium.com] On Behalf Of Gary H.
Thompson
Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2007 2:05 PM
To: asterisk-users at lists.digium.com
Subject: [asterisk-users] Looking for starting point?
 
Hi,
I am a retired telephone tech/manager who recently had a bad experience
with a local company offering digital phone service (VoIP). I have spent
the last thirty years in the PSTN network, switching, PBX and key system
field and am interested in learning more about VoIP. My background also
includes programming, mostly specialized applications to interact with
the PSTN network. Most of my experience in this field have been with
Borland products, specifically Delphi. I also have been involved with
database programming, same platform as the communications.
My computer experience started with the operating system CPM (I'm not
really that old, only 56). The best platform now seems to be Linux so
now since I am retired now, it seems a good time to learn something new.
I also have been looking at Asterisk which most companies seem to be
using for a PBX platform. I found out by accident that the local company
I had the problem with uses this PBX software.
Could someone steer me in the right direction as to where to start? I
spent most of my career in the telephone industry in a 'bush' area of
Alaska so pretty much had to teach myself what I needed to know about
computers but I can learn almost anything from a book and by asking
questions when I get stuck. Most of my experience was before the
Internet so I plan on using this avenue to advance my knowledge. 
I understand what a broad scope I am asking about so would appreciate
any tips to help me get started. Since there are many 'brands' of Linux
what is the best one to start with? Which Linux will be better when I
get to the point of working with Asterisk? Any tips or ideas on books,
online tutors, discussions or anything of this nature would be much
appreciated.
I hope to add to this group if I can be any assistance from the 'other
side', the PSTN network.
Thank You,
Gary H. Thompson
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