So many Linux Distributions, which is better ?

[ericpang]

i'm new to Linux, but still consider which linux distribution shall i use ?

[Letalis]

People get flamed for answering posts like this but if you are new to linux RedHat or Mandrake are easy to set up and get running.

[usual]

BUT just as powerful and secure as others http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif
Everyone has an opinion to wich dist is best. but when it all comes down to it, they are all linux. If you CAN and have a high speed connection and access to a burner i reccomend trying a bunch...or order a variety pack from cheapbytes.com. try a bunch, and decide for yourself.

[Unruly]

Not to get pissed at you -- it's just I wish people would actually read stuff on this website, rather than jump right into the BBS and start posting, I mean,there have got to be hundreds of this exact same post all thoughout this webpage.

To answer your question though. It really depends on you. What's your level of expertese? Are you not all that comfortable with compiling or setting up software/hardware? Mandrake (http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/)might be good for you, alternatives like Stormix (http://www.stormix.com) -- which is a derivative of the Debian Distribution is also simple and easy to set up, but lacks the hold-my-hand-gui. Other contenders like Caldera (? http://www.caldera.org), Redhat (http://www.redhat.com) and Corel Linux (http://www.corel.com) are good too.

If your more comfortable with doing things like registry editing http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif Then distributions like debian and slackware are probably going to be more your choice. Debian (http://www.debian.org/) has a great package (program) mannagement tool called apt-get, which will "get" a package and install it, it'll also get anything the program needs to run. It's tre cool. There is one other debian derivative called Libranet (http://www.libranet.com) which I use, and it basically makes debian a little less of a pain in the *** http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

Slackware (http://www.slackware.org) has a cult following and is arguably the oldest distribution. It has no real package mannagment system, or at least not one like debian's or redhat's (although, it does have RPM's -- which you'll learn about when you use linux). Some claim that because it's so non hold-my-hand-ish it forces you to learn about linux and how your computer works (the same can be said to some extent about Debian as well). I personally have only tried the zipped ... tryware version of it (see: Zipslack) and I didn't like it a whole lot.

http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif phew!

But that's not all http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif -- There are HUNDREDS of different distributions out there, some more grassroots than others. Do a search on your favorite search engine (mine's http://www.google.com) and you'll come up with hundreds of hits. Check them out, see what YOUR needs are, also, check some of the links at the end of this post, they can help you get a better idea of what kind of stuff you're "getting into".

Hope this helped! ::copy - paste - save for next question of this type::
http://www.linux.org http://www.linux.com http://www.kernel.org http://www.linuxdoc.org http://www.slashdot.org http://www.securityfocus.com http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/index.html http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/security/index.html http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/distros/distronhf.html

Nate http://clanghostbear.tripod.com/pics/saiyan.gif

[fuzzy]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Unruly:
Not to get pissed at you -- it's just I wish people would actually read stuff on this website, rather than jump right into the BBS and start posting, I mean,there have got to be hundreds of this exact same post all thoughout this webpage.

I agree. There's even an NHF on it here on LNO.



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"Suppose you were an idiot... And suppose you were a member of Congress...But I repeat myself."
--- Mark Twain

[D-Termind]

Originally posted by ericpang:
i'm new to Linux, but still consider which linux distribution shall i use ?

It's like trying on shoes to see which one feels right.

Basically (I am a newbie also) I have found that it's not completely but MUCH so..."What goes with your personality.".


The only way to tell is to try them on...

You can begin though by deciding what you want to do with it. Is it going to be a server?...is it going to be a workstation?...or, is it just going to be a toy?...learnng or otherwise.

Are you willing to read a lot FIRST?...or do you want it easy as you go?...read to learn while you ALSO have the benefit of a GUI?

What's your present knowledge as far as the things common to ALL kinds of OS's? Do you know what an I/O is?....an IRQ?...how about knowing HOW to find them in DOS/Windows?

I wish I could help you out more but you really have to try them on...



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D-Termind