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Search Tech-Forums - link takes you to our Forum's search page. Note: The following is only a text archive! To view the actual forum discussion, please visit our website at http://www.tech-forums.net Pages:1 Linux Distribution Recommendation Thread(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)Posted by: Qiranworms Here is a thread to post what distribution(s) you'd recommend, WHY, and whether you'd recommend that someone new to Linux try them. Feel free to mention your distro of choice, and why you use it, as well as any distributions you would NOT recommend (don't forget the "why" on this one.) All posts ASKING WHAT TO CHOOSE will be moved out of the thread, this is to recommend, not ask for recommendations. [i]Idea for this sticky PM'd to me by Hilowe...it's about time we have this...thanks![/i] [size=1]update:[/size] A distribution chooser quiz: [url]http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/[/url] Posted by: Elbatrop1 I've used Fedora Core 2 and 3 before to set up DNS (BIND), Apache, and Squid Proxy servers. I found it pretty easy to do so with the amount of online support and tutorials. To be honest, I am still a Linux n00b, and am not really sure if some of the other distros might be better at such things. Posted by: Qiranworms [b]I should really get to revising this. To be honest, I haven't used Ubuntu since version 4 (and 5 in beta). I also haven't been keeping up with the other distributions in its class (the sort of "noob friendly" type), such as Mandriva and SuSE. I've been a Gentoo user for over a year now. Additionally, I don't think I'd really recommend a "noob friendly" type distribution anymore in the first place. I think diving in all the way with Slackware, Debian, or even Gentoo is probably a better idea in the long run. In short, I no longer fully back all of the opinions/recommendations stated below.[/b] First recomendation: [b][URL=http://ubuntulinux.org]Ubuntu Linux[/URL][/b] This Debian-based distribution is excellent for the new user, yet something a more advanced Linux user would be happy with. Its installation is extremely simple, and it's put together with an approach that keeps things simple (not bloated), yet functional. Excellent hardware detection. The wonderful APT system of Debian, with a Synaptic for those who don't want to use the command line to download and install their software. It's a relatively new distro, but is extremely fast-growing, and the community is huge. The Wiki on the site is helpful. Not only all that, but they'll actually send you [URL=http://shipit.ubuntulinux.org]FREE CDs[/URL] with cover art and all, shipped free of all charges, without jumping through any hoops or filling out anything but a mailing address and making a username/password. I know...not so significant in making a good distro, but it's a nice touch. :) Second recommendation: [b][URL=http://gentoo.org]Gentoo Linux[/URL][/b] This is a distribution with the idea that the user chooses everything. It's centered around Portage, which is essentially the package management tool. People who want to push their computer to every possible performance limit ("ricers") supposedly use Gentoo because everything Portage doesn't download prebuilt binaries like most distributions, it downloads the source and compiles it with specific options set by the user, which results in a more efficient and often smaller binary, since you can choose not to compile support you don't need. "Ricers" are also the reason [URL=http://funroll-loops.org]Gentoo users get made fun of a lot[/URL]. The effectiveness of such "optimization" is arguable. The installation is a lot more tedious than most distros (well, maybe not linuxfromscratch.org :p), since you essentially have to download and compile the major components of the system yourself, and configure everything yourself, choose all hardware yourself, etc. At the beginning, you have a very basic system with nothing installed, but the end result once everything is completely set up is a system totally tailored specifically to your needs. The other thing, is that for a new Linux user with a lot of time on their hands (as in several days, not to mention time for leaving the system compiling things like KDE/GNOME overnight which take ridiculous amounts of time), can learn a LOT about Linux and become more familiar with how to do things, and how to troubleshoot, by going through the installation. The detailed Gentoo Handbook on the website can teach a lot, as can solving the issues that are sure to come up when going through the installation. I currently use Gentoo, but if I had to do it over again, I'd probably be lazy and go Ubuntu, because of how long Gentoo takes to get installed, despite how awesome it is once it's done. Despite slowness of compiling and all, I really love Portage. :) Posted by: Him :bump: This is very informative for the Linux n00b like myself. The biggest question that opne asks when they first start with Linux is, what distro. Everyone told me Slackware, but I just couldnt get the **** thing installed. Maybe it's my crappy laptop, maybe it's my Linux n00bn355, who knows. Point is, it was far too difficult for me to be able to figure out on my own with no prior knowledge of Linux. I'm sure it's great once you get into it, but if my n00bn3ss stops me from being able to install it, I'm sure it will with alot of other people. Personally, although I'm very new with Linux, I would recommend a graphical interface fopr installing. A command line is rather intimidatingif you have NO clue what you are doing. And since this is software, and you wont lose out on money if you screw up, it is more than ok to just dive straight into it without and clue as to what you are doing. Posted by: popey For a first time linux experience I'd recommend SimplyMepis, it's debian based and runs as a live cd. It features a good set of multimedia software. For everyday office type use I'd say Mandriva simply because it's slick and works well if you don't want to much from it. To learn the ins and outs of linux you'll need to get to grips with Slackware, Debian or Gentoo, of those Slackware is my favourite for the reasons mentioned above by Horndude. Posted by: macdude425 [quote]SuSe stable, good collection of software relies on debian pkgs I believe not a complete distro compared to some others has a good setup GUI for most things good for newbies till something doesnt work quite right,then it can be a bear to deal with in some ways[/quote] SuSE is RH based, so it uses the RPM system. The GUI setup is OK; YaST (Yet another Setup Tool is what it stands for, I believe) is nice, but can be unreliable; I've had it randomly crash for no reason. Also, GNOME and KDE don't play well together. It lacks several packages everyone should have, like gcc and whatnot. In a nutshell, you love it at first, then hate it. So I don't recommend it. If you want something good, get Slack or a Deb based distro. Both are very nice for learning about how Linux works. Posted by: Tyler1989 Fedora Core 4 it is the newest verion of Fedora and Redhat. It's easy to use enough said there and it uses the redhat packedge system. As for slackware I don't recommend it and I know that is against what many say. But I will say slackware is a "pure" linux and people change things for reasons or windows users would still be using windows 3.1 SuSe is good no doubt about it but I don't recommend it because you have to pay for it Linux is an open source and should be free it's origanal purpose was to be free. Posted by: popey [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by macdude425 [/i] [B]SuSE is RH based, so it uses the RPM system. [/B][/QUOTE] FYI Suse was originally based on Slackware. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Tyler1989 [/i] [B]But I will say slackware is a "pure" linux and people change things for reasons or windows users would still be using windows 3.1 [/B][/QUOTE] Slackware follows the KISS (keep it simple stupid) principle in its design, other distros have opted to make things easier for noobs by adding lots of graphical configuration tools which, although very easy to use add a considerable amount of complexity and provide much more scope for errors. Contrary to popular belief Slackware does use a simple graphic installer and provides configuration scripts. Most people installing a recent version will have no need to manully edit a conf file, at most they might need to run xorgconfig, netconfig and alsaconf. Somehow equating Slackware to windows 3.1 is ridiculous, all linux distros run virtually the same software. If I wanted to compare Slackware to windows I say it's more like a copy of XP Pro thats been updated and stripped of all the rubbish with nLite. Posted by: gman2 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by macdude425 [/i] [B]SuSE is RH based, so it uses the RPM system. The GUI setup is OK; YaST (Yet another Setup Tool is what it stands for, I believe) is nice, but can be unreliable; I've had it randomly crash for no reason. Also, GNOME and KDE don't play well together. It lacks several packages everyone should have, like gcc and whatnot. In a nutshell, you love it at first, then hate it. So I don't recommend it. If you want something good, get Slack or a Deb based distro. Both are very nice for learning about how Linux works. [/B][/QUOTE] I couldn't have said it better myself. SuSe overall is a good operating system, and the KDE GUI has been customised very nicely and is probably one of the nicest available for *nix. However SuSe lacks a lot of libraries and functionality in the command line, and lacks a compiler..which is verfy usefull to have. In short, I want to replace my SuSe system to Fedora as I have outgrown the OS, and it is extremely buggy in various areas. I am deciding between FC4 or Mandrake. Anyone with a reccomendation? SuSe also has crippled media support, and getting Mplayer ro run so you can play .wmv's is a chore in itself, and lets face it, .wmv accounts for 90 percent of clips on the web. [quote]SuSe is good no doubt about it but I don't recommend it because you have to pay for it Linux is an open source and should be free it's origanal purpose was to be free[/quote] Tyler, you are indeed incorrect. SuSe is a free distro, available from many download sites. Check out [url]http://iso.linuxquestions.org/[/url] for downloads of all decent linux distributions. Suse 9.1 personal is the best SuSe in the range. Posted by: jhunholz Fedora is a great starter OS, as it is easy to install, but it lets you learn Linux as well. But if you really want to get up to your knees in Linux right away, I recommend trying Gentoo out! It will be difficult, so if you're not up for some reading and challenging, then don't do it. But it really is one of the best ways to learn what goes into an OS and they have the most helpful forums of ANY linux flavor. You can find help for anything on there, and if you can't find it, just post and you will get a response very quickly. Posted by: Zaireeka I started on Debian/GNU Linux and still use it to this day, but this definately isn't the best distro to learn with. Debian is great but the installation is enough to drive anyone crazy (best using FTP to install the base system) and I get nothing but trouble from it about my GeForce graphics card.... but what the ****, it's FREE!! :) I tried SuSE at one point, the YAST installer has a nice GUI which is pretty much idiot-proof. The OS its self seemed fairly simple and I believe since its a non-free distro (the pro version at least) the company provide support. For these reasons I'd say SuSE would be a fairly decent distro to start out on. Posted by: macdude425 Quoth: [quote] SuSE is RH based, so it uses the RPM system. The GUI setup is OK; YaST (Yet another Setup Tool is what it stands for, I believe) is nice, but can be unreliable; I've had it randomly crash for no reason. Also, GNOME and KDE don't play well together. It lacks several packages everyone should have, like gcc and whatnot. In a nutshell, you love it at first, then hate it. So I don't recommend it.[/quote] Did I mention it's crashed twice in the last three years? The first time I hit the wrong button and the second time I hit the wrong button, KDE collapsed, and X refused to start! Posted by: huck_finn Years ago I started off trying to learn Linux with Suse Pro, I couldn't get it. I had absolutely no luck figuring out how to install anyting on it and soon gave up. Just recently I had a friend recommend FreeBSD to me, which I installed with his help and was soon editing files and installing other programs for it. But it didn't recognize much hardware, and it was taking forever to figure it out. While searching for help for the BSD I kept coming across Ubuntu forums and help sites. I downloaded and installed it and was VERY impressed! I'm a complete newbie... and this was a fantastic find for me. However, I was following the tuts and howto's to enhance this and speed up that, and finally the system wouldn't boot for me anymore without giving me a HAL error. Granted this is probably my fault, but I did follow the tut's carefully. Now I'm running Debian 3.1 Sarge, I've made the same mods to my config files and I havent had one problem with it. Ubuntu is great... and that's how I learned my way around the file system, but if you like to tinker, I would recommend Debian since it seems to me a more solid OS. Posted by: Iron_Cross [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Qiranworms [/i] [B]My main recommendation: [b][URL=http://ubuntulinux.org]Ubuntu Linux[/URL][/b] This Debian-based distribution is excellent for the new user, yet something a more advanced Linux user would be happy with. Its installation is extremely simple, and it's put together with an approach that keeps things simple (not bloated), yet functional. Excellent hardware detection. The wonderful APT system of Debian, with a Synaptic for those who don't want to use the command line to download and install their software. It's a relatively new distro, but is extremely fast-growing, and the community is huge. The Wiki on the site is helpful. Not only all that, but they'll actually send you [URL=http://shipit.ubuntulinux.org]FREE CDs[/URL] with cover art and all, shipped free of all charges, without jumping through any hoops or filling out anything but a mailing address and making a username/password. I know...not so significant in making a good distro, but it's a nice touch. :) My second recommendation: [b][URL=http://gentoo.org]Gentoo Linux[/URL][/b] This is a distribution with the idea that the user chooses everything. It's centered around Portage, which is essentially the package management tool. People who want to push their computer to every possible performance limit ("ricers") supposedly use Gentoo because everything Portage doesn't download prebuilt binaries like most distributions, it downloads the source and compiles it with specific options set by the user, which results in a more efficient and often smaller binary, since you can choose not to compile support you don't need. "Ricers" are also the reason [URL=http://funroll-loops.org]Gentoo users get made fun of a lot[/URL]. The effectiveness of such "optimization" is arguable. The installation is a lot more tedious than most distros (well, maybe not Linux-From-Scratch :p), since you essentially have to download and compile the major components of the system yourself, and configure everything yourself, choose all hardware yourself, etc. The result is the system is tailored specifically to your needs. The other thing, is that for a new Linux user with a lot of time on their hands (as in several days, as well as leaving the system compiling things like KDE/GNOME overnight which take ridiculous amounts of time), can learn a LOT about Linux and become more familiar with how to do things, and how to troubleshoot, by going through the installation. The detailed Gentoo Handbook on the website can teach a lot, as can solving the issues that are sure to come up when going through the installation. I currently use Gentoo, but if I had to do it over again, I'd probably be lazy and go Ubuntu, because of how long Gentoo takes to get installed, despite how awesome it is once it's done. Despite slowness of compiling and all, I really love Portage. :) [/B][/QUOTE] I could not have put it any better myself. I second this post 100% Also, for those interested in Ubuntu, but are more inclined to use KDE (vs gnome) there is [url=http://www.kubuntu.org/]Kubuntu[/url] which is exactly like ubuntu in every way except for it uses KDE as the default WM, rather than gnome. Just so there's not any confusion, Kubuntu is not a fork of ubuntu, it's by the same team and is actually a part of the ubuntu project. Posted by: GameGURU Blah, I like my SuSE 9.1 Pro (even though it has problems with my newer hardware) oh well. I have heard wonderful things about SuSE 9.3, so as we speak I am downloading it. I have also heard great things about Mandrake 10.1, but it doesnt recognize my 6800 GT so I can't even startX... Those are the only two I have used though. Posted by: straightv6 i've been running slackware 10.1 for about 4 months now. i've had my share of problems but i've been able to solve all of them through this forum or the use of google. i tried out freebsd xx.xx before this but i've found more support for slackware so i stuck with it Posted by: charles@pcfix I have tryed several distros over the years and have found strengths and weaknesses in most. My preference is Red Hat (not Fedora). I first used RH 7.2 and still use 9.0 on my web server. I also have RHE 4 running which is what we use on the Job. There are alot of distros out there, what you use depends alot on what you want to do with it. Just use it!!! and learn to love it. Posted by: nitestick fedora core 4- a bit oversized perhaps but includes a **** of a lot of applications: the gimp2, open office for a start. based on red hat (of course). i love the installer :) **** Small Linux (DSL)- knoppix based mini-live-cd. about a 50mb download. functions brilliantly and all from a cd. Puppy- not as attractive looking as DSL but includes a lot more apps. this is another mini live-cd coming in at about 60mb. incredibly it includes a C compiler, at least two html editors and some office apps. i think it comes with about 2 or 3 web browsers. it seems to be based on debian. Posted by: JoeTheOdd For someone new to UNIX/Linux, I would definatly suggest Ubuntu. Its installer is about as easy as it can get. The *only* hard part would be configuring your network (can't remember what the name of the thing is, something like DCMP?) and your partition table. The network thing is autodetected, but in my case it didn't work. As for the partitioner, it has an option to autopartition, but I didn't use it. After its installed, it copys the entire CD to your hard drive, so that you can later install its aditional packages through apt-get, which is also set up to download programs from [b]massive[/b] repositories, with a single step. sudo apt-get install package. After its set up, you're prompted for a username and a password (or was that before its all copied?). You do not get an option to set the root password (foolproofing, according to the tech support channel when I was discussing it with them), but its simple to set it. The account you make (and all the rest?) is automatically a sudoer. sudo passwd root. Using sudo will place you as root, and allow you to change your own password. For experienced UNIX/Linux users, I personally believe the most powerful distro is Slackware. I used it as my first distro, yet I have a friend who works as a security.. whatever.. for the Canadian government, and who is also an experienced Linux user. But enough about me, if you don't have someone to hold your hand the first few days, I don't think it would be too easy. X11 needs to be configured manually, as opposed to Ubuntu. The upside of Slackware, IMO, is the slapt-get system (an apt-get clone for slackware, I believe?) and the fact that it has basically every single library you could ever need. It ships with curses, apache, glib, and many others. I'm running Ubuntu linux right now, but I'm waiting for some Slackware CDs from a friend of mine, which are immediatly (well, after I back some stuff up =p) getting installed. Posted by: macdude425 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by nitestick [/i] [B]fedora core 4- a bit oversized perhaps but includes a **** of a lot of applications: the gimp2, open office for a start. based on red hat (of course). i love the installer :)[/B][/QUOTE] Anaconda (RH installer) is the BEST installer I've ever used. If only the rest of the OS was as nice... Posted by: nitestick yeah true. i only listed it as its the main resident on my dual boot. the positive is that for a general distro it includes enough apps to be catered for most peoples purposes e.g. graphics or software compilation Posted by: dev_devil Aint You Guyz Missin Out On Mandrake???? I use Mandrake 10.01 And Believe Me For A noob in Linux (like Me) It is one of the easiest Linux To Try Out! with a very Stable GUI i think it is Excellent to use! Also All the packages come Along it so it is no fuss to look em up sumwhere!! Posted by: jakec I agree with dev_devil Mandrake is awesome I'm sure I've posted this somewhere B4 but if I may I'd like to post it again because it is sticked. + I've added A few and updated a few links Kubuntu [url]http://www.kubuntu.org/[/url] I wouldn't use the offical Mandiva site, instead I would use this [url]http://www.linuxiso.org/distro.php?distro=29[/url] or [url]www.planetmirror.com.au[/url] Knoppix [url]http://iso.linuxquestions.org/distro.php?distro=5[/url] PCLinuxOS [url]http://www.pclinuxonline.com/pclos/html/download.html[/url] BeatrIX [url]http://www.watsky.net/download.html[/url] Jake Posted by: lazaruslupine I personally use Ubuntu and reccomend it for a new linux user. It is relatively small compared to multi cd distros like red hat and mandriva,and includes lots of graphical tools for system configuration, and adding new software is as easy as opening synaptic or using apt-get from the command line. It even tells you when you have software updates!! For older computers i would suggest **** small Linux.You can run it from a flash device and it all loads into ram, will run on anything provided the video card is supported, also with good configuration tools,and again adding software is easy. Debian is really my os of choice because the base install is so small and you can add only what you need, but not as difficult to install as Gentoo,which i really wanna get into.I use ubuntu only because debian takes a bit more configuration and lacks some of the graphical config tools. Posted by: TSHF I use Gentoo. I used to use Fedora Core and used it for almost a year. Then I discovered Gentoo and I fell in love. It was the fastest distro I had ever seen, given that you cutomized the kernel and every aspect of the system. Plus, it is difficult to install and I'm always up to the challenge. However, wha I really love about Gentoo is Portage/Emerge/Ebuild. Portage is a great tool. You can dl all the programs you need and build them from source with no problems. It has automatic dependency resolver where as Yum doesn't. Posted by: macdude425 I don't know...I'm more of a sucker for Debian. It's a lot like Gentoo (in its config and package management), but I can put it on my 68K Macs :D Posted by: TSHF I've used Debian. I like that too except I like to compile from source. It optimizes programs for your hardware and squeezes in that last bit of performance. Apt is very nice too, but I like Portage better. Posted by: Tyler1989 I've grown tired of my Fedora partition. I'm looking for a new linux or unix that has a dvd iso, easy to set up, gui installs. Posted by: TSHF I just came back to Fedora Core 4 64. It just occurred to me that why would I want to use something that is going back in time: compiling from source. I mean rpm and dbpkg are the fastest package managers and they do their job well. So, I came back learned how to use yum and I'm lovin' it. Posted by: macdude425 Meh, I've only use yum four times. The first time, it did nothing. The second time, the system locked up. The third time it actually worked. And the fourth time it did nothing---again. So I've given up on everything with Fedora or RH's name attached to it. Posted by: TSHF I just learned yum and it is doing a much better job than portage does. I tried Debian a week ago and I wanted to install KDE, well I couldn't figure out how to do it and still don't know. I tried apt-get packagename, substitute packagename with proper name for kde in apt, I don't remember it. Posted by: Qiranworms [quote]I tried apt-get packagename[/quote]Whoops...next time, try this: [code]apt-get [i]install[/i] [packagename][/code] One seldom runs a package management tool without running it as root, and thus not knowing your way around it can be dangerous. ALWAYS read documentation and possibly tutorials/guides on your package management software of choice so you know it well. It's not quite as simple as installing, upgrading, and uninstalling software. Package management systems are convenient and useful, but they aren't perfect, and you should understand how it deals with dependancies, uninstallations, upgrades, masking, and how to check and control these things specifically, etc. It's easy to break things, especially if you aren't careful. Posted by: Devl number one for me was slackware but as networking comp i recomend the PHLAK distro..... Posted by: macdude425 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by TSHF [/i] [B]I just learned yum and it is doing a much better job than portage does. I tried Debian a week ago and I wanted to install KDE, well I couldn't figure out how to do it and still don't know. I tried apt-get packagename, substitute packagename with proper name for kde in apt, I don't remember it. [/B][/QUOTE] In addition to what Marc said, if you want a package and can't find it, do this: [code]apt-cache search <packagename>[/code] Posted by: Trotter Well, I have used a Knoppix live CD a couple of times. I have to say it wasn't bad a'tall. But it felt sorta naked without all my other stuff on the computer not available. Right now I am giving Ubuntu 5.10 a spin on a live CD (I'm typing in Firefox in it right now). Ugly default desktop, but it seems to be solid. I doubt I'll install it on this comp, though. If and when I get to build a new box, I plan on having a dual- or triple-boot system, though. Posted by: GameGURU Yeah, Trotter Ubuntu uses the gnome enviornment, Kubuntu is the same distro but it uses the KDE enviornment. I prefer KDE, but some prefer gonme. Posted by: Trotter So, what is the differences betwixt the two? Posted by: horndude gnome is gtk based and kde is qt based--different libraries or API's used to build them both attempt to be all in one desktop environments Posted by: GameGURU Yeah, KDE is flashy and similar to the graphics you would find on a MAC desktop (more 3-D looking, and whatnot) gnome is a little less like that. I haven't really used gnome as I prefer KDE's structure and organization over gnome. Posted by: Trotter I may have to try it out. Does Kubuntu have a live version? Posted by: GameGURU Yup, look under "Live CD" [url]http://releases.ubuntu.com/kubuntu/hoary/[/url] Posted by: Tyler1989 I've been using Fedora 4 for the longest times but with my new machine I'm looking into a new brand. What do you all recommend for a good 64 bit Linux Distro. Posted by: eklypze I'm not an absolute expert in Linux, but I found Ubuntu to be a fairly good 64-bit distro. Posted by: Bruce I'm suprised no one metioned Xandros, I started playin with it today.It was probably the easiest (and fastest) linux install I've tried. I'd say it's probably the closest to windows that I've seen, as far as configuring and such. Posted by: Nuxology [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Bruce [/i] [B]I'm suprised no one metioned Xandros, I started playin with it today.It was probably the easiest (and fastest) linux install I've tried. I'd say it's probably the closest to windows that I've seen, as far as configuring and such. [/B][/QUOTE] I have to agree with Bruce...Xandros installs easy and works great. I've tried Mandrake and Knoppix live and Xandros tops them easily. I'm sure some of the others mentioned in this thread are excellent distro's but I would be surprised if any of them install as effortlessly and auto recognize hardware as well. I'm not trying to start a "my Linux is better than your Linux" war, I like all Linux. I'm just hoping someday one of the 'Nuxes can give big, mean "W" a serious problem, and I think that will require a much easier to install and work with 'Nux than most are at this point in time. I think Xandros is close to having what it will take. [SIZE=4]Xandros[/SIZE] [COLOR=royalblue]Xandros[/COLOR] [COLOR=orangered]Xandros[/COLOR] Posted by: macdude425 [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Tyler1989 [/i] [B]I've been using Fedora 4 for the longest times but with my new machine I'm looking into a new brand. What do you all recommend for a good 64 bit Linux Distro. [/B][/QUOTE] Debian :) You have to download the 32-bit version, and then the 64 bit kernel, or you can try the testing AMD64 native port. Posted by: Bruce [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Nuxology [/i] [B]I have to agree with Bruce...Xandros installs easy and works great. I've tried Mandrake and Knoppix live and Xandros tops them easily. I'm sure some of the others mentioned in this thread are excellent distro's but I would be surprised if any of them install as effortlessly and auto recognize hardware as well. I'm not trying to start a "my Linux is better than your Linux" war, I like all Linux. I'm just hoping someday one of the 'Nuxes can give big, mean "W" a serious problem, and I think that will require a much easier to install and work with 'Nux than most are at this point in time. I think Xandros is close to having what it will take. [SIZE=4]Xandros[/SIZE] [COLOR=royalblue]Xandros[/COLOR] [COLOR=orangered]Xandros[/COLOR] [/B][/QUOTE] I have to say it's pretty cool, installed PS 7 nicely with cross over office. Posted by: RockyZ The only distro I use is Ubuntu. I run it using a rather old laptop, and it runs much more smoothly than my WinXp, I know they're completely different OS I'm simply stating that if you have an old computer, you might want to select Linux of Windows. The whole interface is easy, all the commands should be universal so I don't think it really matters. I've expirienced some problems with restricted files and I had no idea how to access them even though I am admin, but I am a total Linux noob, so I must not be doing something right. I run my Apache server on it and it runs great. Reccomended for new users. Posted by: Zoness i think SuSe is good for beginners, it has a simple and intuitive setup and master configuration utility (YaST). YaST covers many fields of hardware, software and network configuration in one utility. It also as a simple rpm system. I am still very new to linux, just beginning the shell. It would be easier provided I didn't have so many harddrive problems (see URL below). [url]http://www.tech-forums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=95978[/url] Posted by: Tyler1989 Any idea what is a good distro for old systems. 1. Omni-Tech Pentium Celeron, 500Mhz 256 MB RAM CD-ROM Ethernet 2. Custom Built AMD K6-2, 500Mhz 48 MB RAM CD Burner, Partly Broken but still works Dial-up Modem, no Ethernet Posted by: macdude425 1. I'd say Slackware/Debian/Gentoo for that one. That way, you can customize just about everything so it runs at a good speed. 2. DSL. Make sure you have a decent sized swap partition so that Fluxbox will run smoothly, however. Posted by: Tyler1989 Again I'm asking for a good Linux distro... I'm looking to install another Linux on a business laptop. The problems I've been having with Fedora 4&5, SUSE 10.0, and Ubuntu are the screen. In Fedora it's split in too due to bad resolutions, in SUSE the installer hangs, and it won't work in Ubuntu. Compaq 1.8Ghz AMD Turion 386 RAM 802.11g >>> Needs to be working on WPA encrypted network. Will be on a 10Gig Linux Partition leaving 50Gig for windows. Posted by: talldude123 I'm just installing Kubuntu on my Celeron D 2.66, it's lightning fast. I really like it, highly recommend it. I overwrote Windows XP, it gave me problems from day one. Posted by: jakec Hey guys, Again I want to post this again as I went back to my orginal post in this thread and half the links no longer work! so this post is going to be long as I will intergrate distros for older Hardware, as well as for servers and personal recomendations Kubuntu [url]http://www.kubuntu.org/[/url] Uses KDE desktop, one CD install works both as a live and Install CD. Be wary it is a bit bloated. Mandriva [url]http://frontal2.mandriva.com/en/downloads/mirrors[/url] This is what PCLinuxOS is based on it is a BIG distrobution with all you will ever need Knoppix (Live CD) [url]http://iso.linuxquestions.org/distro.php?distro=5[/url] PCLinuxOS [url]http://www.pclinuxos.com/page.php?7[/url] This is the distro I use and recommend, Why because it works right out of the box. No need to configure Everything, everything just works. It also comes as a 1 CD install that is a live CD that you can install later if you wish. BeatrIX [url]http://www.watsky.net/download.html[/url] This Distro is small fast and effective, the ultimite Workers CD Blag [url]http://www.blagblagblag.org/download/[/url] is A one CD install of Fedora Core OPENSUSE [url]http://www.opensuse.org/Download[/url] Mephis [url]http://www.mepis.org/[/url] Everything you will ever need on 1 CD. Hardware detection is exelent, as is the feel and look of the distro [b]Servers[/b] ATMission: [url]http://www.atconsultancy.nl/atmission/[/url] Smoothwall [url]http://www.smoothwall.org/[/url] [b]Distros for older Hardware:[/b] feather Linux [url]http://featherlinux.berlios.de/[/url] Vector Linux [url]http://www.vectorlinux.com/[/url] DSL [url]http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/[/url] Puppy Linux [url]http://www.puppylinux.org/user/viewpage.php?page_id=3[/url] Slackware [url]http://www.slackware.com/[/url] and for those wishing to use Linux and still keep the Windows Familarity try Xrandros, good solid distro: [url]http://www.xandros.com/products/home/open_circulation/download_information.html[/url] that should stay current for the next 6 months or so Jake Posted by: drizuid I've been using linux since i was 14, im 24 now.. if that's any indication of experience. I started off with Slackware linux, which at that time was fairly rudimentary as far as "help" went. It took me a month to figure out how to get online. What i discovered is, if you take the most hardcore distro to start with, you learn a **** of a lot, because you're forced to research. Therefore, I highly encourage new users to participate in the linux from scratch project. Not only do you get a distro faster than any other distro, but it's yours, from the ground up. You created it. It's not redhat, it's not slackware, its YOUnix. (pardon the pun!) Anyway, if you want to know wtf you're doing, and actually accomplish things, learn it! don't rely on cheesy GUIs to do it for you. Use the GUI once you understand things. You will appreciate it more, and have a fairly strong background! [url]http://wwwlinuxfromscratch.org[/url] Enjoy. Posted by: jonmon6691 If you are considering Ubuntu, be warned that it doesn't have gcc on it which makes it so u cant compile software which i know your thinking why you'd want to but the longer u use linux the more you'll realize how many software distribution are just source. Plus actually getting gcc is a pain b/c it is only source itself so you cant compile it Posted by: macdude425 sudo apt-get install gcc It's not that hard, really. Anyways, there are other reasons to hate Ubuntu also. Posted by: superdave1984 This has beena really helpful thread. I haven't much experience with Linux. Used Red Hat 7 a few years ago for a short time, but didn't really get into it much. I have Knoppix and Austrumi live CD's I am playing with now and then. RH seemed to be kind of cumbersome to get going. And it was HUGE. Well it seemed huge. Dunno, I may get converted in a few years. Especially if/when Vista takes over. I don't like the 2 time activation thing. Especially since I format once a year. Posted by: Guns90 Good thread, guys. Thanks. I just wanted to give my 2 cents if no one minds. I think that before anyone should become a Linux NOOB, they really need to figure out what they want to do with it in the long run. I currently have but one computer. I use it for the web, data processing, MP3 library, and digital photography. I also have two high schoolers that need to do what's neccessary for school. I do NOT allow gaming on it (they have a PS2 for that). I have tried a few different distros over the last two years, and found the ANY of them will do what I want them to. I have stuck with ubuntu because it simply has the largest following (community) that can provide assistance if needed. This is very important to me in that I have a very difficult time learning ANY OS because I had a stroke a couple of years ago and my short term memory is all but gone. I have found on unbuntu forums the friendly help I need to do anything I want. Thanks for listening. I juist thought this ought to be said. Gary Posted by: GloriaJeans It's been a long time since I used Linux, but I remember installing RedHat 5.1 (I think that's the correct version) and it took me basically all day to install. But next to Windows, my OS was BLAZING fast. Has anyone compared this to Fedora Core, Apache, Squid Proxy, or any others? Posted by: Law Apache and Squid are applications, not sure what you meant by that Gloria. First Linux distro for me was RH 6 or 7, I can't remember :eek:, works great, first time expose to Linux but it was a memorable time. Only problem was that my sound card don't work, only downside. It wasn't as smooth and fast as Windows 98, but it was way better overall. Posted by: t3ch_threads I started out with suse 10.0, and the ability to configure and tweak KDE is like crack. But I borked that installation. I have Ubuntu on my old computer for Rossetta number crunching, but am stuck w/ xp on my main comp. I'm looking to get a system76 laptop and switch my parents to Ubuntu this spring or summer. For following linux for less than 2 years it's amazing how far it's coming along. Posted by: blackhawk13 Ubuntu is very good. Easy to use. Lots of support for it... That's what I have on my laptop, and it tends to work just fine. Posted by: Enterpriser Fedora Core a little graphic intensive, but a fine distro none the less. Also it has SMART goals. Specific Measurable Achievable Result-oriented Time-constrained. vBulletin Copyright ©2000 - 2003, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited. PPC Management vB Easy Archive Final - Created by Xenon |