Help me choose a linux distro! - Page 2

Aleksander · 01-06-2005, 07:57 AM

I tried Suse and I have been satisfied...

mdshort · 01-06-2005, 08:04 AM

Trust me you'll be even more satisfied with Gentoo!

(Since you used to binary distributions, I recommend Debian.)

Deathwalker · 01-06-2005, 10:50 AM

I prefer Debian myself, but Gentoo isn't too bad.

mdshort · 01-06-2005, 05:14 PM

Debian and Gentoo are both close to the same package management, except for the fact that Debian uses binary packages, and gentoo compiles everything from source (except for some specifics, such as mozilla or openoffice, which have large compile times thus gentoo offers a binary package mozilla-bin and openoffice-bin.)

jhunholz · 01-06-2005, 07:53 PM

If you're using Gentoo, why in the world would you installl a binary??? Compiling everything is what gives you such a huge performance boost over any other Linux distro. If you have a hard time waiting for stuff to compile, then I guess Gentoo isn't for you. Or maybe you need to discover the amazingness of distcc!

alt_ctrl_del · 01-06-2005, 08:03 PM

Fedora Core (I had FC2 for a short while on my box) is pretty good, there's that simple anaconda installer that makes things really easy. But since FC3 is on your list, I wouldn't know what is different. Just make sure that you pick the developer tools at install if they haven't learned from their mistake in FC2 to add it automatically. I didn't check it off first time around and ended up reinstalling because I couldn't compile sources.

jnev_89 · 01-07-2005, 09:41 AM

i have suse 9.1 pro on my comp right now. it's pretty good for a n00b (which i am), but can be kinda unstable. i tried fc3 a couple days ago, didn't like it at all. slackwhere wouldn't install on my system

Qiranworms · 01-07-2005, 10:09 PM

I have to put in my usual recommendation for Ubuntu.

It is based on Debian and uses a Debian package management system, which by default uses Ubuntu-specific repositories and, even though I recommend adding other Ubuntu repositories such as the Multiverse and Universe becuase you can't do anything without them, I highly recommmend against using Debian repositories.

The great thing about Ubuntu is it's very problem-free in setup, so it's simple to install for most 'newbies', yet is a capable and advanced (and NOT bloated *cough*SuSE, Mandrake, RH!*cough*)...I keep recommending this becuase of how much I like it, and I've had some sort of version of every distro recommended here (and more) with the exception of Gentoo, which isn't exactly as 'newbie friendly'...particularly in the setup.

Yes I'm biased.

TMan7000 · 01-15-2005, 06:47 PM

Most of the responses you age getting are personal chioces. Just try the ones you think sound good. If you don't like them then it doesn't take too long to install another distro.

T1junkie · 01-16-2005, 10:19 AM

if you are a begining Linux user I would recommend giving ubuntu a whirl, it is a simple install takes roughly 35 keystrokes if you accept all the defaults, its a good distro for a very begining user to learn the general ideas of linux.

for a long term distrobution I recommend Slackware 10, its been around for a long time and has great support, although if you desire to be on the "Bleeding edge" of technology it will require tweaking, Slackware puts a heavier value on what they know works rather than being up to date.

01-06-2005, 10:50 AM	#13 (permalink)
Deathwalker Junior Techie Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 68	I prefer Debian myself, but Gentoo isn't too bad. __________________ Talk is based on the assumption that you can get somewhere if you keep putting one word after another

01-07-2005, 10:09 PM	#18 (permalink)
Qiranworms Monster Techie Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,637	I have to put in my usual recommendation for Ubuntu. It is based on Debian and uses a Debian package management system, which by default uses Ubuntu-specific repositories and, even though I recommend adding other Ubuntu repositories such as the Multiverse and Universe becuase you can't do anything without them, I highly recommmend against using Debian repositories. The great thing about Ubuntu is it's very problem-free in setup, so it's simple to install for most 'newbies', yet is a capable and advanced (and NOT bloated coughSuSE, Mandrake, RH!cough)...I keep recommending this becuase of how much I like it, and I've had some sort of version of every distro recommended here (and more) with the exception of Gentoo, which isn't exactly as 'newbie friendly'...particularly in the setup. Yes I'm biased. __________________ -->Marc Error: Keyboard not attached. Please press F1 to continue. -------OS----------Gentoo Linux------- ------Browser-----Mozilla Firefox----- \|\|\|Official Forum Rules\|\|\|

01-16-2005, 10:19 AM	#20 (permalink)
T1junkie Super Techie Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 302	if you are a begining Linux user I would recommend giving ubuntu a whirl, it is a simple install takes roughly 35 keystrokes if you accept all the defaults, its a good distro for a very begining user to learn the general ideas of linux. for a long term distrobution I recommend Slackware 10, its been around for a long time and has great support, although if you desire to be on the "Bleeding edge" of technology it will require tweaking, Slackware puts a heavier value on what they know works rather than being up to date. __________________ IBM/Lenovo T43 2687DSU Pentium M 2.0Ghz 1024 MB (DDR2 SDRAM) 80 GB Ultra ATA, 5400 RPM 14.1\" LCD Windows XP Pro DVD-R 64MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X300 Integrated 802.11A/B/G, Bluetooth, 10/100/1000 Eth.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-06-2005, 07:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
Aleksander Newb Techie Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 39	I tried Suse and I have been satisfied...

01-06-2005, 08:04 AM	#12 (permalink)
mdshort Super Techie Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 303	Trust me you'll be even more satisfied with Gentoo! (Since you used to binary distributions, I recommend Debian.)

01-06-2005, 05:14 PM	#14 (permalink)
mdshort Super Techie Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 303	Debian and Gentoo are both close to the same package management, except for the fact that Debian uses binary packages, and gentoo compiles everything from source (except for some specifics, such as mozilla or openoffice, which have large compile times thus gentoo offers a binary package mozilla-bin and openoffice-bin.)

01-06-2005, 07:53 PM	#15 (permalink)
jhunholz Newb Techie Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 46	If you're using Gentoo, why in the world would you installl a binary??? Compiling everything is what gives you such a huge performance boost over any other Linux distro. If you have a hard time waiting for stuff to compile, then I guess Gentoo isn't for you. Or maybe you need to discover the amazingness of distcc!

01-06-2005, 08:03 PM	#16 (permalink)
alt_ctrl_del Newb Techie Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 46	Fedora Core (I had FC2 for a short while on my box) is pretty good, there's that simple anaconda installer that makes things really easy. But since FC3 is on your list, I wouldn't know what is different. Just make sure that you pick the developer tools at install if they haven't learned from their mistake in FC2 to add it automatically. I didn't check it off first time around and ended up reinstalling because I couldn't compile sources.

01-07-2005, 09:41 AM	#17 (permalink)
jnev_89 Ultra Techie Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 531	i have suse 9.1 pro on my comp right now. it's pretty good for a n00b (which i am), but can be kinda unstable. i tried fc3 a couple days ago, didn't like it at all. slackwhere wouldn't install on my system

01-15-2005, 06:47 PM	#19 (permalink)
TMan7000 Junior Techie Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 67	Most of the responses you age getting are personal chioces. Just try the ones you think sound good. If you don't like them then it doesn't take too long to install another distro.