Newbie looking for a suggestion

[chriswash]

I looking to install Linux as a second operating system on my computer. I would like suggestions as to which distribution I should use.

I have heard negative remarks regarding Red Hat 7.

Chris.

[ColdPack]

http://www.linuxnewbie.org/nhf/intel/distros/distronhf.html

[nFiLtR8r]

Mandrake is always good...

[rod]

I suggest Storm-->easy install, Libranet-->a little more difficult, Debian-->may test your fortitude.


All the above come with the best package management that can be found. Do a search on this bbs using apt as your query, to learn more.

Regards,
Rod

[mines]

Wait! wait until they come with kernel 2.4 .
In my opinion, mandrake7.2 is the best for beginner now. I think the next version 7.3?? is coming soon.

[milanuk]

Some people want to learn, some want cool stuff that works right away. This (short) list is ranked (IMHO) according to learning curve, from shallow or minimal, to damned-near-vertical. Enjoy

Mandrake -- If you want a lot of cool doo-dads and some bleeding edge stuff. Plenty of GUI tools to make things a little easier for people transitioning from M$

SuSE -- Well thought out, solid, everything pretty much works from the beginning. If you get the boxed set for the documentation, SuSE has _the_ best. Lots of commercial backing in Europe

Storm/Libranet -- good distros aimed at taking the dependability and ease of admin of a Debian system and putting a more friendly face on it.


RedHat -- Unless you intend to get into compiling lots of software (or your kernel) right away, works pretty well. Some gui tools, lots of commercial backing in USA

TurboLinux -- haven't used for quite a while, supposedly the RH equive for the Pacific Rim region.

Debian -- probably the _best_ package management system, which means the easiest upgrades around. Install is not for the faint of heart, but doable if you _read_ the documentation at www.debian.org. (http://www.debian.org.)

Slackware -- clean, good if you have BSD experience. Package management is a bit different, and you will definitely learn a lot of stuff fast.

Linux From Scratch -- Try one of the others first.

Monte


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There are basically three kinds of men. There
are the ones who learn by reading. Then there are
the few who learn by observation. The rest just
have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.

[scott_R]

If I had to start over, I would start w/mandrake first. No only is it relatively easy to install, it includes a lot of nice programs. Every distro has it's own strengths and weaknesses, and the only way you'll find out what you feel comfortable with is to start with something. Don't be too surprised if you start using one and switch a couple weeks later to try another.

In other words, don't wait till the 2.4 kernel comes out. Not only is it possible it may take a while longer, and you'll be that much further behind learning linux, but it will likely take a while for each distro to integrate it smoothly with their existing software. Who knows, by that time you may even learn how to install your own kernel, and related software, and you may be able to download and install the upgrades for free.

Good Luck! http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif

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