Which Linux OS should I use?

[new2linuxaus]

Hi All,

I have an old pc that I use pretty much entirely for word processing and internet purposes. It has lately become very unstable, using Win 98, and has become more and more obsolete in terms of web applications etc. As a result I have decided to make the jump to Linux.

My system specs are AMD Athlon 1200, 512 Meg Ram, 64 mg GeForce 2 vid card, 20gig harddrive. Which Linux OS would you recommend I would use for optimal performance?

Additionally, I have a large number of word documents that I would like to have access to. Is there a word processing program available for Linux that will be compatible with Word?

Thanks for your help

[techwise]

You can run just about any distro with those specs. They are not bad at all.

I have no hesitation recommending Ubuntu to anyone these days. Its a distro that is friendly to beginners and familiar to experts.

There is an Ubuntu sister distro called Xubuntu which uses a less processor hungry desktop environment. Honestly, I think Ubuntu will run fine on the specs you have. Try that first and if you feel it to be a bit sluggish then move to Xubuntu.

http://www.ubuntu.com/
http://www.xubuntu.org/

Cheers and good luck. Your gonna enjoy Linux.

Mike

P.S. Open Office will handle those Word documents like a champ. It will install by default on Ubuntu.

[nikodell]

Ubuntu will work fine and if you need you can order a cdrom from them for free.
It is well supported through there forums if you have any troubles, they may have the best community support for new users. I am sure you know Openoffice.org all ready your ms office replacement. There is all ways help here too.

[blackbelt_jones]

I hate to be the one to bring in the first note of discord, but if you really want optimalperformance, I would reccomend Vector Linux SoHo. It's a pretty good newbie distro, too.

However, Ubuntu would probably work pretty good on that machine, and there are advantages: a massive amount of easily available software, a big community with lots of support. Ubuntu -based distros are multiplying, and Ubuntu would prepare you for them. But if you really want optimal performance, Vector SoHo is a good choice. I'm just taking you at your word.

[techwise]

I hate to be the one to bring in the first note of discord Oh you love it! :-)

Im no Ubuntu fanboy and I used Vector in the past. Its nice! I just have a habit of recommending distros with a real package management system. Yeah, there are the slapt-get and yums of the world but the bottom line is that they are fine front ends to a system that is fundamentally different from Debian packages. There is currently no equal to the Debian Policy, I think there is a tendency to compare "apt-get" to other package tool/front ends because "apt-get" works so well. But what is not understood is that the reason it works so well is because of the adherence to the "Debian Policy" when building Debian packages.

To further the tangent, It seems like if there were any group with the will and resources to create a new and even better equivalent/successor to the Debian Policy it would be Ubuntu. But they chose the Debian way. I wonder if they are working on something different...

Cheers

Mike

[psych-major]

One of my Ubuntu boxes is a PIII 933Mhz with 512 of ram, and standard ubuntu is very responsive on it. I would have no problem recommending Ubuntu for your stated goals.

[nikodell]

I don't use Ubuntu myself but have found it an easy choice for the people new to linux, my mom 54 uses it with no troubles, Emails and documents, + web browsing will do it all. She is using a PIII 700 with 768ram works just great. She loves it and feels it was a great improvement over windows 98. Oops she has Kubuntu the kde version.

[BeatNursery]

Hello,

I have used both Mac OS and Windows for sometime.. up until recent Mac OS has always been my favorite. I am now a student studying programing. I also do a lot of recording for my music. I am getting a new PC with a quad 2.4 Mhz and plenty of RAM. However i wondered if anyone has any suggestions as to how about choosing a linux operating system that will allow me to handle all my needs.

[happybunny]

2.6.22-14

:)

[irlandes]

will work on those Word documents. It may be slow on that machine, but you can get them. Go to the bathroom when things get real slow.

My daughter-in-law had an even lesser machine, and I gave her a live CD for puppy linux, and suddenly she can run everything. At one time they even had an Open Office CD for puppy.

[kvrprasad]

The thing that strikes to me when talking about a linux distro is nothing but Ubuntu. Its just Ubuntu

http://adda.hostbigger.com

[irlandes]

The thing that strikes to me when talking about a linux distro is nothing but Ubuntu. Its just Ubuntu

http://adda.hostbigger.com

Good point. Hee, hee.

In the past, many people thought Linux was Redhat. :) Someone would post a question on a forum, talking about Linux 6.5. They had no idea that Redhat was actually a minor part of Linux users.

Five years ago, on some forums, they thought Linux was Mandrake.

From 1999, (see my date on this forum), I used Mandrake/Mandriva, until last year. I still have it only my 5 year old laptop, but I cloned the HD, and now have Kubuntu 7.04 as my main boot, though Mandrake LE 2005 is still on its own partition.

I like many things about Mandriva. But, when I started, I paid a lot of money, thinking it was right to support the folks who made it. The paid versions had so many problems I stopped paying. And, Mandriva admitted a few years ago, the free version goes out un-tested, which is actually pretty obvious.

I would still not mind paying for the Pro version of Mandriva, but have no confidence it's any better than Kubuntu, and am not willing to play "Charlie Brown with Lucy holding the football" to find out.

I tried Debian Sarge, and could not load the NIC driver, it demanded a floppy, and the computer had no floppy drive. when I mentioned it on the Sarge forum, the wonderful debian guys trashed me out, it was my fault for not doing more research -- as if I am supposed to buy a computer just for their distro? So, I don't do debian any more.

[psych-major]

So, I don't do debian any more.Sure you do, it just happens to be called Kubuntu...hehe... ;)

[irlandes]

Sure you do, it just happens to be called Kubuntu...hehe... ;)

I understand Kubuntu is derived from debian, but when they change it to Kubuntu, it really becomes a different thing. Like years ago, someone took a Mustang and changed it to a Shelby Mustang, and it was a different animal. Literally. :)

And, Kubuntu no one cusses you out for daring to try it on a computer you already have, which is the most common Linux user, instead of fanatically building a computer to match the distro. I sure don't mind anyone doing that, but when they are rude because you didn't do that, it's time to cross that distro off your list.

Not only is Kubuntu a different animal, but so are the community members. Ubuntu forums are just about the best I have seen. Bad message boards, or bad moderators can drive people away.

For example, last year, I tried a new version of Mandriva. I had with me in Mexico, the last release candidate for the latest Mandriva. While I was there, we got a phone and DSL, but when I went, there was no way to download a distro, but I did have the last RC. For everyone else, the last release candidate should be the same as that which is released, or you are shipping a distro that has been changed and not tested. (Which is what I think Mandriva does, based on what I see when I try their distro.)

I asked a question on a Mandriva Users Group, and they shoved my posting over on Cooker, because, golly, it was not the final release. And the rules plainly said only final versions were to be supported on the main forum, Heil Hitler. Of course, no one was dealing with Cooker postings, so I got no help.

It turned out when I did get my hands on the final version, it had EXACTLY the same problem. All these smart-aleck Nazi types accomplished was help me decide to stop using Mandriva after a lot of years. From 1999, v. 6.5 until 2007. Never again, at least I don't think. I do use a #1 CD, because of the partition tool.

I have also tried CentOs, which is kind of cool, though I prefer KDE. The guys on the forums are helpful, but there aren't that many of them.

And, PCLinuxOS. Nice, but not up to Ubuntu, at least the last version I used. I didn't try their forums.

Knoppix. That seems to be gone. It was touted universally as: Try it and if you like it, install it. But on the forum, there was a very surly moderator, who used forms of the word 'fool' on anyone who asked questions about installing it. His sycophants helped him bash those with install questions. All they had to do was let others who wished to help, respond, but they took it upon themselves to trash anyone who asked for help -- on a thread plainly marked for install questions. :(

After repeatedly saying he was going to fix the installer, the creator changed his mind, and said if people kept trying to install it, he was going to stop shipping the installer. In case anyone wonders why Knoppix is essentially gone. I considered him to be a modern Henry Ford: You can have any color you like if it's black.

I tried Kanotix, and it couldn't run the video card on my old Compaq. I posted on the forums, and Kano himself answered. The next version of Kanotix had the correct driver!

I like Kubuntu because there are so many apps, and a Google on a Ubuntu problem gets you a very large amount of forum hits. Also, they seem to go to great lengths to make it work on as many computers as possible which has been one of the hold-ups for acceptance of Linux.

[blackbelt_jones]

Sigh:rolleyes:

Debian is a great distro, the greatest imo, but unfortunately, at least in the past, the online Debian community has had its share of incomprehensible d-bags. Years ago, I was subject to abuse in the Debian chat room. This was way back in the days of Woody, when Debian was a lot harder to install and maintain than it is now. I remember being insulted when I didnt understand my driver problem, and had tried to solve it by compiling a new kernel. I didn't fix the driver, but goddamn it, I had learned how to compile a new kernel. It had taken a couple of hours, and I didn't like being told I was lazy.

I think these people think that it's being helpful to humiliate new users, it teaches them self-reliance or some such crap. I can't think of any other reason why people bother.

Now, if I couldn't get debian to support my nic card, and Ubuntu supported it, I'd probably just go with Ubuntu, but I've never had these problems, and after some considerable wandering through most of the popular distros, these days I'm running Debian on everything I got-- but I've had to rely very little on Debian -specific online communities. This is a great forum, and the #linuxn00b chat at irc.freenode.org is a nice friendly place. If you really need Debian-specific support communities, there's probably several places that you can try, if the first place turns out to be filled with jerks. There are Debian communities in facebook and myspace. And you can always start your own. And I'd expect that the Debian demographic continues to evolve. Ordinary users tend to more understanding when other ordinary users need help.

[irlandes]

Sigh:rolleyes:

...Now, if I couldn't get debian to support my nic card, and Ubuntu supported it, I'd probably just go with Ubuntu, but I've never had these problems, and after some considerable wandering through most of the popular distros, these days I'm running Debian on everything I got-- ...

Exactly my logic. Use what works, and don't use what doesn't work just because it works for others. BTW, that was a cheap e-machine, I think 3115.

The result, though, is that it will be a very long time before I try Debian again. If ever. And, for both reasons, insults, and a distro that assumed everyone had a floppy drive, when today the tendency is to not have a floppy. This was last year, not 2000. I looked for a way to change the call-out, but sure couldn't find anything, and instead of telling me if there was a way, the jerk insulted my intelligence. I don't need him. And, I don't need debian.

My conclusion, right or wrong, was Debian geeks must tend to be people whose life centers around Debian at any cost, so much so they will build their computers specifically for Debian, thus did not see any reason to allow driver installation by any other means. Most of us buy computers by finding the best we can get within our price range, then seeking a distro which will work on what we have. For me, that wasn't the current Debian version. If I had got that NIC working, there is a significant chance I would presently be using Debian for my primary distro.

So, what will be in the latest version that also assumes I built a computer specifically for debian therefore won't work for me? Dunno'. Ain't gonna' find out.

I suffered through Mandriva problems for a long time. Never again will I marry a distro. If I find a better one, Ubuntu is history.
###
I just ordered my next laptop, $449. a Dell Vostros 1000, 1 GB Ram; 120 GB HD (?); wireless, DVD writer, probably no phone modem but right now everywhere I use it, there is high speed Internet via either NIC, or wireless.

Will I get that wireless working? Don't know. I do know if I am traveling, and need to in a motel, I can boot W*****s. And everywhere else, I can use RJ-45. But, my current laptop is five years old, and has had two major problems, CD writer and battery, so one must assume its days are numbered.

[nuttron]

Out of curiosity i installed Mepis-7.0 and it was a pleasant surprise....everything worked out of the box and is easily customized , debian based ( i am one of those who gave up on debian and their cryptic installer and system notices, back in woody although i like the debian philosophy).

And now i can not bring myself to wipe that drive , i keep switching between slack and mepis.....slack being my distro of choice since 8.1...my two $.. nuttron

[psych-major]

I actually had a similar experience with trying to move to Ubuntu 7.10 on my Thinkpad, it refuses to run my ATI video card, and unlike 7.04, it also refuses to let me drop to CLI and install the ATI driver and then proceed with the install. Granted the Linux ATI drivers are still not fully baked, but this is supposed to be a distro my mother can install, and my thinkpad isn't that weird of a machine. The upshot is what everyone's been saying, 7.04 works and meets my needs, so I'm staying on it until I have a really compelling need to change.

One interesting side note though, on said Thinkpad, Slack 12 installed seamlessly and every piece of hardware worked out of the box except the Atheros wifi card, which was easily activated by installing madwifi. The point being, I'm a bit confused about why Ubuntu, the self-proclaimed best distro in the world, couldn't recognize my hardware???

And speaking of Mepis, I think it's a great distro that is largely overlooked. I ran it a while ago on a used laptop I had bought for my wife that came sans hard drive. Mepis found all the hardware, including the obscure Atheros wifi card, and I ran the laptop from CD for 2 weeks while I located and ordered a hard drive for it.

[blackbelt_jones]

Oh you love it! :-)

Im no Ubuntu fanboy and I used Vector in the past. Its nice! I just have a habit of recommending distros with a real package management system. Yeah, there are the slapt-get and yums of the world but the bottom line is that they are fine front ends to a system that is fundamentally different from Debian packages. There is currently no equal to the Debian Policy, I think there is a tendency to compare "apt-get" to other package tool/front ends because "apt-get" works so well. But what is not understood is that the reason it works so well is because of the adherence to the "Debian Policy" when building Debian packages.




I think we're in complete agreement. Ubuntu has the great package system, and a hhuuuuuuuuuuuge collection of packages, freaking massive. Vector has the performance, in the sense of speed. Vector is a good choice if your software requirements are pretty simple, and like I said, you mentioned the word "performance", and "performance" usually means "speed", and to me, speed means Vector.

If there's a compromise, it might be Debian. Debian has the package system and the huge variety of packages, but I've heard that it's less resource hungry than Ubuntu, and it looks that way to me. It's a little less set up for new users, but it's not hard to get started in.

Here's a great article on Debian. Considering the lineage, even Ubuntu users could profit from this.

http://www.linuxtoday.com/infrastructure/2008020900226OPDB

Exactly my logic. Use what works, and don't use what doesn't work just because it works for others. BTW, that was a cheap e-machine, I think 3115.



Yeah, and don't be married to any one distro right out of the gate. I personally tried everything, and I installed and reinstalled daily. Most people would say thaqt was much too much, and for most people that would be correct, but it worked for me... and I still fool around all the time. By putting your home directory in a seperate parition, you can try different distros, screw things up and reinstall -- and still keep your data.

Develop a little curiosity. Experiment and learn. Linux is a whole different way of computing, and it's fun and empowering, but it takes patience and curiosity, a willingness to experiment. For me, it was frustrating as hell to start out with, but the frustration comes first, and it passes, and then comes the fun, which persists.

[shad0w]

I was a big Redhat fan for a long time, even using CentOS. But over time, and with some reluctance, I tried Ubuntu. I have been extremely happy with it, more so than with any version of redhat, suse, opensuse, mandrake... I could go on. But I was an Ubuntu hater, but now I wouldn't go without it.

[play5331]

I have been trying out several of the newer distros myself such as Ubuntu - Linux Mint - Sabayon along with some of my favorites like Mepis 7 - Slackware12 and always a Debian build.
for myself.

But what I am most interested in is how other users coming usually from a MS backround relate to the various desktops - the current hardware $$ and future application/network needs-dual-boot etc.
and maybe most importantly as to how much they are going to be able to relate to the shell.if at all !!

As to some folks getting bashed around in forums by self-ranking types that's unfortunate ..they are simply the types that their code of conduct at times would not be tolerated in the workplace.

With Linux it will always be about choice and freedom.

[midorikawa]

I've found that distros seem to be better for some things than for others, and some just aren't suited for some tasks at all. I wouldn't use Linux for music recording. I use my Mac Pro running OS X Leopard for that.

I wouldn't use my Mac Pro as a server of any kind. It just doesn't work too well for that use and always requires a reboot for most updates. Not a very server-friendly OS. For that I'd use Gentoo or Debian. As a general desktop I'd never use Gentoo or Debian, I'd instead use Ubuntu (or a variant).

As a router, I'd almost always use FreeBSD 5.X since it seems to handle routing better than Linux's sometimes annoying iptables setup.

Of course, it's always personal preference on the OS you choose, but those are my choices. :-)

[Labman]

As I collect my pieces, my son in law suggests I replace Mandrake 10.1 with Ubuntu. Does it have a filemanager/browser like Konqueror? I like Konqueror and am used to using it. The only downside to it is the MS centric websites that won't work with it.

Hummmmmm, Quick reply doesn't work here either.

[midorikawa]

As I collect my pieces, my son in law suggests I replace Mandrake 10.1 with Ubuntu. Does it have a filemanager/browser like Konqueror? I like Konqueror and am used to using it. The only downside to it is the MS centric websites that won't work with it.

Hummmmmm, Quick reply doesn't work here either.

Konqueror isn't specific to Mandrake. It's part of KDE. You'd want kUbuntu in that instance instead of regular Ubuntu, which uses Gnome. :-)

[irlandes]

As I collect my pieces, my son in law suggests I replace Mandrake 10.1 with Ubuntu. Does it have a filemanager/browser like Konqueror? I like Konqueror and am used to using it. The only downside to it is the MS centric websites that won't work with it.

Hummmmmm, Quick reply doesn't work here either.

I just installed Kubuntu 7.10 in the last 48 hours, on an old laptop which already had Mandriva LE 2005, and Kubuntu 7.04.

7.10 DOES NOT HAVE KONQUEROR, but 7.04 does. I am guessing one can make it right, but I have not yet taken time to look for it. Dolphin which 7.10 had is a bloody nuisance after 8 years with Konqueror.

Note that both versions will run some wireless cards, the distros contain some firmware. I had a terrible time, but finally learned that installing and using wlassistant brought it right up. My pci card is Linksys WPC54G v. 2 which uses the TI acx111 chip, and both Kubuntu versions include the firmware.

Note that you can run Kubuntu as a Live CD, and check it out before committing to anything. If you have wired connections to high speed Internet, in most cases, it will come right up, even as a live Cd. You can even install stuff, but it will be lost when you shut down.

I used Mandrake/Mandriva since 1999, but this last year I had enough of their untested stuff, and am now on Kubuntu on all machines. I have more unused partitions, but one I thought I wanted to try, PCLINUXOS makes my cursor fly all over the place.

Note that it is possible to slip in another HD, depending upon the computer you have, and install cold with no conflict. If you don't like Kubuntu, you can put in your old one.

The problem then is you can't dual-boot.

No, that is wrong. You can maintain your licensed win partition if you clone your HD to a large HD, and then using CD#1 from Mandriva (works as good as partition magic) add partitions for other distros without touching one bit on the existing Win and Mandriva partitions. I did it this last summer so I know.

and, somewhere on Justlinux I posted my own details how to do it.

If you have a desktop, HD don't cost much these day. 100GB is a lot if you are used to 20GB.

[lazybird]

Ubuntu should be a good choice.

[rjhythloday]

7.10 DOES NOT HAVE KONQUEROR, but 7.04 does. I am guessing one can make it right, but I have not yet taken time to look for it. Dolphin which 7.10 had is a bloody nuisance after 8 years with Konqueror.

I'm using gutsy (kubuntu 7.10) and it does have konqueror as the default web browser, it has dolphin as the default file mgr, but konqueror is there and can still be used for file management.

As for the OP another vote for ubuntu. I just made the switch from m$ last month. EXT3 was really one of the biggest selling points for me. Stability is also very important. I'm very happy w/ kubuntu. I'll probably make the switch to hardy 8.04 in a month or two.

As stated earlier w/ your slower cpu you may want to try xubunutu if kubuntu or ubuntu seem slow. I've found it a very easy switch and trouble shooting has been a breeze thanks to Kubuntu forums (http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/index.php)

[Mad_Max]

I dont use it myself, I use Slack 12. For newbies in Linux you cant beat Ubuntu. Its easy, there is lots of help, it just makes sense. Save yourself many headaches and go get Ubuntu.

[Labman]

OK, if I go with Kubuntu 7.04 to stick with Konqueror, where is a good place to download it? I will have PCChips A13G+ v3.0 Motherboard CPU Bundle - AMD Athlon 64 3500+
Processor 2.20GHz OEM (MBM-A13G-3500) It sounds like maybe I should pass on KDE 4.

[rjhythloday]

Konqueror still comes as the default browser in gutsy 7.10. It has dolphin for file management but Konqueror is there, just change the defaults.

[Labman]

In thinking some more about KDE and Gnome. If I dislike Kwrite, Kmail, Karbon 14, etc., should I think about Gnome? ot will it have as defaults my unfavorites Kghostview and GQview?

Does Gnome have a basic word processor with a friendly spell check like the old NS 4.X? I want one where you can edit your original word if none of the suggestions are right, not the first suggestion that is often more work to edit than your original word.

Are there any email programs that can read old NS 4.X files? I am afraid that after almost 10 years, I will no longer be able to find a NS 4.X for Ubuntu. I have found newer Netscapes to be Outlook like trash. I think NS would have had a better chance of competing is it kept its good features and hadn't turned itself into a MS clone.

[Labman]

OK, I am running Ubuntu 7.1.0 live off a CD. In looking around, I haven't found anything like Klipper from KDE. Does Gnome have anything hangs on to text you select?

[Labman]

OK, I installed Kubuntu 7.1.0 last night, and I am completely disgusted with it. Other than my old fiend Klipper, almost nothing is the same as KDE under Mandrake 10.1. Well the same, lame excuse for documentation, lists of things you can do without a clue of how to do it. Where is Quick Browser?

I open Konqueror, and not only are the defaults set to things I struggle to imagine anybody using, when I change them in configure, they stay the same. What is the point of opening something in a new tab if to close it you have to drag down a menu and select close? Even though I selected for a close button under configuration, it still doesn't work that way. I changed the file associations to Xpdf for PDF's, and the first one I opened used Ghostview which I don't like.

I downloaded and installed Netscape. It is right there in /opt, but it won't run. I get ''No such file error''. I finally tried right clicking on the icon, and it opened to an empty file.

[Average User]

Hi new2linuxaus
I am a total Linux novice as well, I have only been using Linux for 8 days, in that time I have tried Damn Small Linux (not for me too much command line stuff required) Puppy Linux (Nice but a bit lacking) Ubuntu this IMHO is a Rolls Royce product easy to install, easy to get to grips with in its GUI mode ( I am still struggling with the command line stuff but Ubuntu for Dummies is on its way!) and there is plenty of good support stuff on the web.

I have a very good knowledge of Windows systems, so I was a bit anxious about moving to wards Linux, Ubuntu has changed my perspective dramatically, don't hesitate take the plunge.

The product is so good that IF I can solve all the syncing and mobile comms issues I have, I would be prepared to recommend the IT guys in my company to gradually move towards using it rather than upgrading kit to run Vista.

In the words of a well know fat factory "I'm Loving It"

[Labman]

Don't count on too much help from Linux for Dummies. While I have dug out a few things that help, mostly it is about making use of applications that there are better alternatives for. As I do almost everything, I am writing this in NS 4.8. I keep a Messenger window open on desktop 1. When I am finished, I will click on the spell check button, clean up my crummy spelling and typing, and then select it to paste into the box in my Konqueror window on desktop 2. Maybe if I could type decently, I would have more interest in the command line.

Linux for Dummies tells me how to write something in Emacs, save it to a file, and then spell check it with Ispell. Scheesh, back to the 80's, my TRS 80 color computer, and Telewriter 64. It doesn't tell me how to make Konqueror use Xpdf, which I have selected under file associations, instead of Ghostview as it does on some websites. It doesn't tell me how to find something like Quick Browser in Kubuntu that I liked in Mandrake

It also tells how to send email, which again, I find Messenger easier.

Somebody here suggested http://rute.2038bug.com/node5.html.gz#SECTION00510000000000000000 I just finished a review of binary, octal, and hex. I remember them from the 80's. It is true the section I am in is labeled sub basics. I do intend to continue on hoping to get to something useful.

If the Linux community ever wants to go mainstream, there must be some better documentation. Most of the man pages I have seen are more like marketing hype generalities than the details those unfamiliar with Linux need.

[WhiteKnight]

Labman... chill.. seems to me like u r looking for help from all the wrong places..

RUTE is a great book, and maybe linux for dummies too(i have never read it so i wont judge), but judging from what u r trying to do, u r not the exactly the target audience of those books, which might explain ur fustration.

As u might have already noticed, different distros are very different from each other and the best place to look for documentation would be that distro's site itself. They usually have a forum for users to discuss.

Mandrake 10.1? was that more den 6 years ago? KDE had greatly evolved since then..

Having an issue with Netscape? perhaps u installed it the 'wrong way'
the *ubuntu way would be to use synaptic/apt-get as opposed to fedora's yum and gentoo's emerge just to name a few.
http://www.kubuntu.org/doc/7.10/index/C/index.html should help u with kubuntu
i understand this comes as quite a challenge for windows/mac users to understand/get used to as u usually just download off the website and click on the downloaded file.
I guess this is the price of the diversity of linux distros. They are practically different OSes... Its almost impossible to have a install script that would work flawlessly for any distro on earth. (RUTE will help u glue all distros together :) )

Google is a gd friend and im sure the community here and in those distro forums would be v helpful if u haev any questions.