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Linux, what distribution??
Hi guys, as one or two of you know I have asked in game which distribution would be good for a total dummy like me would be best. Out of game I have been told Suze but most of you seem to favor Ubuntu. Now, remind you again, I know nothing of software and certainly know no computer languages,lol.
So thought I would make a post and see what others may suggest.
Also I am gonna buy another hard disc, just for Linux.
Thanks!!!
So thought I would make a post and see what others may suggest.
Also I am gonna buy another hard disc, just for Linux.
Thanks!!!
Jada, get a Live CD which will let you try Linux, but won't change your system.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD
The LivCD's is a not good idea for playing in games, like Vendetta. I think the best distribution is Mandriva 2007.
"The best distribution".
Let the flamewar begin!
Let the flamewar begin!
I use gentoo linux because of it's features for customizing installations.
It's a good distro for advanced users. Intermediate users and beginners could use it, too, although the install process is very technical.
For new linux users, I'd recommend ubuntu because it's designed with a "just works" mentality which is great for beginners when they want to install new software that "just works". The install is pretty easy, too, from what I've read, but I have not used ubuntu myself.
It's a good distro for advanced users. Intermediate users and beginners could use it, too, although the install process is very technical.
For new linux users, I'd recommend ubuntu because it's designed with a "just works" mentality which is great for beginners when they want to install new software that "just works". The install is pretty easy, too, from what I've read, but I have not used ubuntu myself.
i find mandriva to be the simplist form of linux to install, and navigate.
it's really straight forward, and well organized.
it's really straight forward, and well organized.
As Jada states himself that he's a dummy in that matter, I strongly advise to use a liveCD (get/try many, as a matter of fact).
Start by understanding what linux is about, when you feel comfortable with whatever distro you will be using, install it on your computer.
Start by understanding what linux is about, when you feel comfortable with whatever distro you will be using, install it on your computer.
I used Ubuntu for a year when I started using Linux. I now use Gentoo because Ubuntu wasn't customizable enough and I wanted something that was compiled for my system with no support things I will never use.
Needless to say this results in a lot of recompiling when I decide I want something that I previously did not have enabled.
Needless to say this results in a lot of recompiling when I decide I want something that I previously did not have enabled.
I'd go with the recommendation of Ubuntu. (or Kubuntu/Xubuntu for that matter).
As a long time Linux-user/developer I've tried most of the distributions at market today, and Ubuntu wins on the "default install" in that it has good coverage, considerably large default set of applications, well maintained and easy to setup/install, and in the end, mostly "just works".
Others require more thought from a new user. Debian is annoying since you have to understand the "debian-isms" and, you have to -know- what it is that you want before you can get it. Very strange for a beginner, even worse to try and find out just what the thing you want is, and how it works in Debianic worlds.
Gentoo is Debian taken to another level, it hands you a bucket full of pieces and a piece-assembly robot. It also comes with a barely indexed set of plans to feed the assembly-robot. End of the day, as long as you find the right plans and don't mind tweaking things along the way, you end up with a very elegant structure. You can also end up with an industrial wasteland that sprawls for miles. ;)
SuSE/Fedora are somewhere between Ubuntu and Debian, with various degrees of defaults and support.
Overall, I'd suggest starting out with Ubuntu. Fast, slick, simple. Gives you enough rope to go out on a limb, and you can manage to hang yourself as well, but at least it won't ask you to grab the noose to start with and position you at the ledge, telling you the rope is the way down. ;)
As a long time Linux-user/developer I've tried most of the distributions at market today, and Ubuntu wins on the "default install" in that it has good coverage, considerably large default set of applications, well maintained and easy to setup/install, and in the end, mostly "just works".
Others require more thought from a new user. Debian is annoying since you have to understand the "debian-isms" and, you have to -know- what it is that you want before you can get it. Very strange for a beginner, even worse to try and find out just what the thing you want is, and how it works in Debianic worlds.
Gentoo is Debian taken to another level, it hands you a bucket full of pieces and a piece-assembly robot. It also comes with a barely indexed set of plans to feed the assembly-robot. End of the day, as long as you find the right plans and don't mind tweaking things along the way, you end up with a very elegant structure. You can also end up with an industrial wasteland that sprawls for miles. ;)
SuSE/Fedora are somewhere between Ubuntu and Debian, with various degrees of defaults and support.
Overall, I'd suggest starting out with Ubuntu. Fast, slick, simple. Gives you enough rope to go out on a limb, and you can manage to hang yourself as well, but at least it won't ask you to grab the noose to start with and position you at the ledge, telling you the rope is the way down. ;)
Jada,
I'm running SuSE 10.2 and have been since 10.0, before that I ran Manrake, which is now called Mandriva.
Mandrake had a fairly good setup/install, and I suppose it's gotten better, but I've found, when I first switched, SuSE was even a little better than the Mandrake I was running.
Most of the issues I've had have been with certain hardware configs, particularly ATI video. Default kernel drivers do support those cards, but ATI was notoriously bad at supporting Linux in general (distro didn't matter), although SuSE and Redhat were the first distro's they started to support. Still they have a ways to go. Their acquisition by AMD may help to improve that situation, time will tell.
If you're coming from Billy's world (Windoze), you're going to have a learning curve anyway. Don't let that stop you if you have a desire. Most windowing OS' have some basic functionality in common, but as they say: the devil is in the details. And finding your way around, and procedures and processes will be different. Not necessarily better or worse, just different.
A live CD/DVD can give you some insights and allow you to get a feel for it before taking the plunge, but it is not a substitute for a real install, and don't even think about playing a resource intensive game such as Vendetta on a Live CD/DVD. You'll be disappointed.
If you have enough free disk space, most distro's can set you up with a dual boot configuration (they'll borrow some free space from the windoze partition) and allow you to go back to Windows at any time, while keeping your Linux for when you're ready to go back and learn some more.
Have fun and enjoy.
I'm running SuSE 10.2 and have been since 10.0, before that I ran Manrake, which is now called Mandriva.
Mandrake had a fairly good setup/install, and I suppose it's gotten better, but I've found, when I first switched, SuSE was even a little better than the Mandrake I was running.
Most of the issues I've had have been with certain hardware configs, particularly ATI video. Default kernel drivers do support those cards, but ATI was notoriously bad at supporting Linux in general (distro didn't matter), although SuSE and Redhat were the first distro's they started to support. Still they have a ways to go. Their acquisition by AMD may help to improve that situation, time will tell.
If you're coming from Billy's world (Windoze), you're going to have a learning curve anyway. Don't let that stop you if you have a desire. Most windowing OS' have some basic functionality in common, but as they say: the devil is in the details. And finding your way around, and procedures and processes will be different. Not necessarily better or worse, just different.
A live CD/DVD can give you some insights and allow you to get a feel for it before taking the plunge, but it is not a substitute for a real install, and don't even think about playing a resource intensive game such as Vendetta on a Live CD/DVD. You'll be disappointed.
If you have enough free disk space, most distro's can set you up with a dual boot configuration (they'll borrow some free space from the windoze partition) and allow you to go back to Windows at any time, while keeping your Linux for when you're ready to go back and learn some more.
Have fun and enjoy.
I enjoy Gentoo myself, I just love the package manager, as it can rebuild it self even when things are beyond help.
That's my 2 cents for what it's worth.
;)
That's my 2 cents for what it's worth.
;)
Ubuntu Edgy here ;-) with Beryl hehehe
I think you will find that many people who don't have time to fool around with a lot of system tweaking run Ubuntu. I have used all the major versions (RH, Mandriva, Suse, Debian, Slackware) and the offshoots (Fedora, Gentoo, Yoper, WhiteBox, Ubuntu.... ).
I find Ubuntu to be the best middle of the road distro. I have brand new computer users using it, kids, and my parents who are in their 70's. I like that it is not terribly heavy on it's initial install, and the package management is fantastic.
While my preference is Slackware or Gentoo, I find that the tweaks make a minimal difference as far as everyday operation. If you're running something that needs optimization, definitely go for Gentoo... however, make no mistake that you can roll your own kernel in any distro, not just Gentoo.
I run Vendetta on Ubuntu on a Dell D810 laptop and it is more than adequate, even with a suspect glx video driver.
I find Ubuntu to be the best middle of the road distro. I have brand new computer users using it, kids, and my parents who are in their 70's. I like that it is not terribly heavy on it's initial install, and the package management is fantastic.
While my preference is Slackware or Gentoo, I find that the tweaks make a minimal difference as far as everyday operation. If you're running something that needs optimization, definitely go for Gentoo... however, make no mistake that you can roll your own kernel in any distro, not just Gentoo.
I run Vendetta on Ubuntu on a Dell D810 laptop and it is more than adequate, even with a suspect glx video driver.
Best way to go about Linux distributions is to read, read, read, read, and then read some more, before deciding which way to go.
Good starting points for reading are:
http://distrowatch.com
http://www.ubuntu.com
http://www.debian.org
http://www.gentoo.org
http://www.opensuse.org
http://fedora.redhat.com
Visit the websites of every distribution that catches your attention, and most important, visit the support forums of that distribution and see what people there talk about, and see how friendly the community is. Today you don't have to be a computer wiz or a programmer to use Linux. But the more informed you are, you will be able to make a better choice. And never, and i repeat _NEVER_ listen to people who say that the distribution they use is the best. I can probably shoot them down with arguments in 3 minutes (even if they use my favorite distro :P).
Good starting points for reading are:
http://distrowatch.com
http://www.ubuntu.com
http://www.debian.org
http://www.gentoo.org
http://www.opensuse.org
http://fedora.redhat.com
Visit the websites of every distribution that catches your attention, and most important, visit the support forums of that distribution and see what people there talk about, and see how friendly the community is. Today you don't have to be a computer wiz or a programmer to use Linux. But the more informed you are, you will be able to make a better choice. And never, and i repeat _NEVER_ listen to people who say that the distribution they use is the best. I can probably shoot them down with arguments in 3 minutes (even if they use my favorite distro :P).
Each distribution is designed with a different user in mind. This reminds me, I once saw a distro decider based on some questions...
http://bbspot.com/News/2003/01/os_quiz.php
It is out of date, but oh well, still quite amusing.
You can also try one of the less popular distributions out there, I once tried Arch Linux, but unfortunately their install CD would not boot on my machine, and so I did not get too far with it.
BTW, I keep hearing of PCLinuxOS, but have never met anyone who actually runs it. Can anyone give a short review?
http://bbspot.com/News/2003/01/os_quiz.php
It is out of date, but oh well, still quite amusing.
You can also try one of the less popular distributions out there, I once tried Arch Linux, but unfortunately their install CD would not boot on my machine, and so I did not get too far with it.
BTW, I keep hearing of PCLinuxOS, but have never met anyone who actually runs it. Can anyone give a short review?
That's not really a distro decider. Its one of those (slightly amusing) personality tests, to see what OS are you.
And i came up to be WinXP. LOL
And i came up to be WinXP. LOL