Which distro?

[Space-Cadet]

I'm stuck. I don't know what distro I should stay with. I started out with Mandrake 7.2, and it seemed way too easy... then I went to Redhat 7, it was way too glitchy. Right now, I'm running Slack 7.1, but I can't get XFree config'ed properly (stupid video card)... its beyond my abilities.

Is there a distro out there that're more advanced than Mandrake and less advanced than Slack, other than Redhat?

[bdl]

I won't bother to give advice on which distro (http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/distros/distronhf.html), but I would be happy to help with your current slack problems. Please post a more specific question or problem you're having e.g. your X troubles and we'll see what we can do.

[Space-Cadet]

Well, when I startx, its in like, 320x240... my video card isn't supported on the list when I go to select it... maybe I need a newer version of XFree?

[bdl]

Sure we can get you setup with the newest version, just d/l the slack packages, remove your current X packages and do an 'installpkg' on the new versions. Should be pretty cut-and-dry. Otherwise, can you tell us what type graphics card you have? It may be supported with the SVGA server or another...

[Space-Cadet]

I shouldn't really call it a card, cause its not...
Its an Intel 810 (embedded into the motherboard)

[ 07 April 2001: Message edited by: Space-Cadet ]

[bdl]

Hmm ok lets see if we cant get some more info on your chipset. Try this:

linuxprompt# cat /proc/pci | grep 'vga|VGA'

or just plain old 'cat /proc/pci' and then scroll through the list...

[Dave Anderson]

Originally posted by Space-Cadet:
I'm stuck. I don't know what distro I should stay with. I started out with Mandrake 7.2, and it seemed way too easy... then I went to Redhat 7, it was way too glitchy. Right now, I'm running Slack 7.1, but I can't get XFree config'ed properly (stupid video card)... its beyond my abilities.

Is there a distro out there that're more advanced than Mandrake and less advanced than Slack, other than Redhat?


Huh? What's wrong with being easy? Why should an operating system be difficult to use?

I used Slackware for a while. It's a great distro - very stable, solid, lean, and good for learning the insides of Linux - IF you want to do that. If so, be prepared to spend time searching the web for help, getting on discussion mailing lists, etc.

I've decided Slack isn't the distro for me. I was spending too much time working on stupid problems. I resolved most of them, but I figured there'd be more in the future. Yes, that's the case with any OS but I want to keep it minimal.

I'm going to try Mandrake 8 Beta 3 and Suse 7.1. GOOD/SOME hardware detection is a GOOD thing. The last thing I want to do is fart around with trying to get my hardware to work, which is part of what I was doing under Slack.

[Space-Cadet]

Easy reminds me of Windows... and thats the reason I use Linux; to stay away from the Windows feel.

I'll try cat /proc/pci later tonight. Thanks for the help ;)

[bdg1983]

Good save bdl... Headed off another distro war. :D