x86 processort running linux

[mcbane]

Hello,
I am a 3d modeling and animation graduate. My interest was peaked by a room-mate who was attending ITT for programming. I am currently reading Jon Erickson's "Hacker" the art of exploitation. He speaks of running an X86 processor with linux. it would be easier for me to follow along in the book if someone could explain to me how i could get my hands on the system. ... i was thinking converting my old xbox to run linux? noob of me i dont know but what i do know is that i yearn for knowledge in this frield. any help would be appreciated.

mcbane..................
{
read
}
If( im wrong)
{
write(your wrong)
write(your dumb)
write(ill help)
}
else
{
write(sod off)
write(wanker)
}

[yourmysin]

Your Pseudo made me lol for some reason.

x86 is the most common processor architecture these days. Unless your running an AMD64, chances are you are capable of running an x86 distro.

Learn a bit about Cpu architectures really quick, im sure things will clear up. Also, excuse this post Im a bit tired heh.

[Aquina]

mcbane I think you should relax. Modern distros bring support for nearly everything and even if a program is not available fo some special architecture it's though possible to run i386 or i686 versions of it. One thing left: even modern CPU cores are able to execute old x86 code. This is standadized as far as i know. You'll possibly only lack performance and additional cores. Old code - old rules.