How To Choose a Linux Distribution ... Project Time....Since this is something that comes up often, there was a recent article floating around the internet ...

Seablade · 04-29-2009, 04:37 PM

Project Time....

Since this is something that comes up often, there was a recent article floating around the internet that breaks down one person's viewpoint of distributions for people to look at for different purposes, that may be useful reading for any newcomers looking at Linux.

For those of us that have been around a while, if you disagree or have other suggestions(eLive, etc.) post up a post with who you think it fits for, why you think this, and what makes it different from the other alternatives presented. This isn't really a place to flame on about how one distribution sucks, but rather a place to say why one distribution works better. If that makes sense.

Seablade

http://www.tuxradar.com/content/how-...t-linux-distro

Steve · 04-29-2009, 08:33 PM

Wow. That's a pretty in depth article.

Seablade · 04-29-2009, 09:03 PM

It is a fairly good article, and whether I agree with all of it or not, it is a pretty good breakdown of what makes a very tough choice for many people.

Seablade

gerryjoson · 04-30-2009, 01:36 AM

Thank's for posting,a good overview of some distro's.

Guess I'm a newbie or lazy [or both] for only messing around with ubuntu

Seablade · 04-30-2009, 02:43 AM

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

If Ubuntu works for you, then keep using it. Nothing wrong with it in all honesty, and using it doesn't necessarily make you an automatic newbie or lazy.

Seablade

Zem Frim-Bott · 05-03-2009, 01:08 PM

somewhat related, at least for people brand new to or interested in trying linux...

linux distribution chooser (http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/), a short quiz that points you to distros that might be a good fit.

disclaimer: the OP article is a lot more in-depth and interesting.

sRc · 05-03-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zem Frim-Bott

somewhat related, at least for people brand new to or interested in trying linux...

linux distribution chooser (http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/), a short quiz that points you to distros that might be a good fit.

disclaimer: the OP article is a lot more in-depth and interesting.

lol it gave me both 100% matches for Gentoo AND Slackware

DarqHelmet · 05-05-2009, 03:34 PM

Did you put down that you like to spend more time fixing your OS then using it Conda?

Quote:

We found the following perfect match(es):

100%
Mandriva

Homepage: http://www.mandrivalinux.org/
Screenshots: The Coding StudioMandriva Linux (formerly known as Mandrake Linux) was created in 1998 with the goal of making Linux easier to use for everyone. Mandriva offers all the power and stability of Linux to both individuals and professional users in an easy-to-use and pleasant environment.

(This distribution also has a "Live CD" you can use to test the distribution before you install it)
Get this distribution on CD/DVD at PCTech101

100%
OpenSuSE

Homepage: http://www.opensuse.org/
Screenshots: The Coding StudioThe openSUSE project is a community program sponsored by Novell. Promoting the use of Linux everywhere, this program provides free, easy access to the world's most usable Linux distribution, SUSE Linux. OpenSUSE delivers everything that Linux developers and enthusiasts need to get started with Linux. Hosted at opensuse.org, the project features easy access to builds and releases. It also offers extensive community development programs for open access to the development process used to create SUSE Linux.

(This distribution also has a "Live CD" you can use to test the distribution before you install it)
Get this distribution on CD/DVD at PCTech101

100%
Linux Mint

Homepage: http://www.linuxmint.com/
Screenshots: The Coding StudioOriginally launched as a variant of Ubuntu with integrated media codecs, Linux Mint has now developed into one of the most user-friendly distributions on the market - complete with a custom desktop and menus, several unique configuration tools, a web-based package installation interface, and a number of different editions. Perhaps most importantly, this is one project where the developers and users are in constant interaction, resulting in dramatic, user-driven improvements with every new release

(This distribution also has a "Live CD" you can use to test the distribution before you install it)
Get this distribution on CD/DVD at PCTech101

100%
Ubuntu

Homepage: http://www.ubuntulinux.org/
Screenshots: The Coding StudioUbuntu is a free, open source operating system that starts with the breadth of Debian and adds regular releases (every six months), a clear focus on the user and usability (it should "Just Work", TM) and a commitment to security updates with 18 months of support for every release. Ubuntu ships with the latest Gnome release as well as a selection of server and desktop software that makes for a comfortable desktop experience off a single installation CD.

(This distribution also has a "Live CD" you can use to test the distribution before you install it)
Get this distribution on CD/DVD at PCTech101

100%
Kubuntu

Homepage: http://www.kubuntu.org/
Screenshots: The Coding StudioKubuntu is a user friendly operating system based on KDE, the K Desktop Environment. With a predictable 6 month release cycle and part of the Ubuntu project, Kubuntu is the GNU/Linux distribution for everyone.

(This distribution also has a "Live CD" you can use to test the distribution before you install it)
Get this distribution on CD/DVD at PCTech101

In addition, we found these matches, sorted by how well they match:

90%
Debian
Debian is a free operating system (OS) for your computer. An operating system is the set of basic programs and utilities that make your computer run. Debian GNU/Linux provides more than a pure OS: it comes with over 15490 packages, precompiled software bundled up in a nice format for easy installation on your machine.

Visit Debian at: http://www.debian.org/May not be suitable because:
May require Linux knowledge

90%
Fedora
The goal of The Fedora Project is to work with the Linux community to build a complete, general purpose operating system exclusively from open source software. Fedora Core is built to provide choice. It includes the latest versions of many software packages, including both GNOME and KDE desktop environments. Fedora Extras, a repository built entirely by volunteers, provides thousands more packages, and is enabled for use by default.

Visit Fedora at: http://fedora.redhat.com/

Seablade · 05-05-2009, 04:10 PM

Yea for some reason that site said I should use Mandriva as well...

Yea I only put so much stock in that

Seablade

Zem Frim-Bott · 05-05-2009, 08:29 PM

hence my disclaimer - though i will admit i didn't realize just how borked it was

the article you posted, on the other hand, i bookmarked. good reading.

Djembe · 05-05-2009, 08:52 PM

It suggested Fedora, Ubuntu, Mint, Mandrive, and Open SuSE for me

drlouis · 05-06-2009, 11:26 AM

hmm, took the 'test' Zem linked. No wonder I'm so happy with my switch from Slack to Debian.

Quote:

We found the following perfect match(es):

100%
Debian

Homepage: http://www.debian.org/
Screenshots: The Coding StudioDebian is a free operating system (OS) for your computer. An operating system is the set of basic programs and utilities that make your computer run. Debian GNU/Linux provides more than a pure OS: it comes with over 15490 packages, precompiled software bundled up in a nice format for easy installation on your machine.
Get this distribution on CD/DVD at PCTech101

100%
Linux Mint

Homepage: http://www.linuxmint.com/
Screenshots: The Coding StudioOriginally launched as a variant of Ubuntu with integrated media codecs, Linux Mint has now developed into one of the most user-friendly distributions on the market - complete with a custom desktop and menus, several unique configuration tools, a web-based package installation interface, and a number of different editions. Perhaps most importantly, this is one project where the developers and users are in constant interaction, resulting in dramatic, user-driven improvements with every new release

(This distribution also has a "Live CD" you can use to test the distribution before you install it)
Get this distribution on CD/DVD at PCTech101

100%
Ubuntu

Homepage: http://www.ubuntulinux.org/
Screenshots: The Coding StudioUbuntu is a free, open source operating system that starts with the breadth of Debian and adds regular releases (every six months), a clear focus on the user and usability (it should "Just Work", TM) and a commitment to security updates with 18 months of support for every release. Ubuntu ships with the latest Gnome release as well as a selection of server and desktop software that makes for a comfortable desktop experience off a single installation CD.

(This distribution also has a "Live CD" you can use to test the distribution before you install it)
Get this distribution on CD/DVD at PCTech101

100%
Kubuntu

Homepage: http://www.kubuntu.org/
Screenshots: The Coding StudioKubuntu is a user friendly operating system based on KDE, the K Desktop Environment. With a predictable 6 month release cycle and part of the Ubuntu project, Kubuntu is the GNU/Linux distribution for everyone.

(This distribution also has a "Live CD" you can use to test the distribution before you install it)
Get this distribution on CD/DVD at PCTech101

I also really like mint, and [K]Ubuntu, so for me at least it was spot on. I got a kick out of this nugget on the introduction page:

Quote:

Firefox is apparently the most popular browser preferred by almost 66% of our users, closely followed by Internet Explorer (16%)

emphasis mine. not sure I'd call a 50 point difference "close"

Edit: Seablade, that's a nice article! ggod find

Steve · 05-06-2009, 11:54 AM

Yeah that's not close at all. I would suspect that number would get smaller with chrome out and dominating.

Djembe · 05-06-2009, 12:07 PM

Chrome may be faster (at least according to Futuremark) but Firefox is a ton more customizable.

Steve · 05-06-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Djembe

Chrome may be faster (at least according to Futuremark) but Firefox is a ton more customizable.

Google has hinted at some cool stuff in the near future. They obviously know about FFs power.

04-29-2009, 04:37 PM	#1
Seablade Dont Ask Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Somewhere in the US Posts: 3,591 Credits: 51,095	How To Choose a Linux Distribution Project Time.... Since this is something that comes up often, there was a recent article floating around the internet that breaks down one person's viewpoint of distributions for people to look at for different purposes, that may be useful reading for any newcomers looking at Linux. For those of us that have been around a while, if you disagree or have other suggestions(eLive, etc.) post up a post with who you think it fits for, why you think this, and what makes it different from the other alternatives presented. This isn't really a place to flame on about how one distribution sucks, but rather a place to say why one distribution works better. If that makes sense. Seablade http://www.tuxradar.com/content/how-...t-linux-distro

04-29-2009, 08:33 PM	#2
Steve Dukefrukem Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 33,528 Reviews: 18 Benchmarks: 177 Credits: 1,871,352	Wow. That's a pretty in depth article. __________________ ^ (my stuff)

04-30-2009, 01:36 AM	#4
gerryjoson Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: enzed Posts: 1,114 Credits: 3,601	Thank's for posting,a good overview of some distro's. Guess I'm a newbie or lazy [or both] for only messing around with ubuntu __________________ Dell Precision M4400,P8600,2 x 320GB,xpp,wxga+led,fx770m

05-03-2009, 01:08 PM	#6
Zem Frim-Bott i can LOSE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: here, in my van. Posts: 6,116 Credits: 1,540	somewhat related, at least for people brand new to or interested in trying linux... linux distribution chooser (http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/), a short quiz that points you to distros that might be a good fit. disclaimer: the OP article is a lot more in-depth and interesting. __________________ Since there is no government of which the concern or the discipline is primarily the health either of household or of the earth, since it is in the nature of any state to be concerned first of all with its own preservation and only second with the cost, the dependable, clear response to man's moral circumstance is not that of law, but that of conscience. The highest moral behavior is not obedience to law, but obedience to the informed conscience even in spite of law. -- Wendell Berry

05-05-2009, 08:29 PM	#10
Zem Frim-Bott i can LOSE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: here, in my van. Posts: 6,116 Credits: 1,540	hence my disclaimer - though i will admit i didn't realize just how borked it was the article you posted, on the other hand, i bookmarked. good reading. __________________ Since there is no government of which the concern or the discipline is primarily the health either of household or of the earth, since it is in the nature of any state to be concerned first of all with its own preservation and only second with the cost, the dependable, clear response to man's moral circumstance is not that of law, but that of conscience. The highest moral behavior is not obedience to law, but obedience to the informed conscience even in spite of law. -- Wendell Berry

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04-29-2009, 09:03 PM	#3
Seablade Dont Ask Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Somewhere in the US Posts: 3,591 Credits: 51,095	It is a fairly good article, and whether I agree with all of it or not, it is a pretty good breakdown of what makes a very tough choice for many people. Seablade

04-30-2009, 02:43 AM	#5
Seablade Dont Ask Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Somewhere in the US Posts: 3,591 Credits: 51,095	If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If Ubuntu works for you, then keep using it. Nothing wrong with it in all honesty, and using it doesn't necessarily make you an automatic newbie or lazy. Seablade

05-05-2009, 04:10 PM	#9
Seablade Dont Ask Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Somewhere in the US Posts: 3,591 Credits: 51,095	Yea for some reason that site said I should use Mandriva as well... Yea I only put so much stock in that Seablade

05-05-2009, 08:52 PM	#11
Djembe drum while you work Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: online Posts: 22,882 Reviews: 5 Benchmarks: 50 Credits: 138,900	It suggested Fedora, Ubuntu, Mint, Mandrive, and Open SuSE for me __________________ Notebook Forums Moderator & Administrator 590 bans and counting...

05-06-2009, 11:54 AM	#13
Steve Dukefrukem Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 33,528 Reviews: 18 Benchmarks: 177 Credits: 1,871,352	Yeah that's not close at all. I would suspect that number would get smaller with chrome out and dominating. __________________ ^ (my stuff)

05-06-2009, 12:07 PM	#14
Djembe drum while you work Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: online Posts: 22,882 Reviews: 5 Benchmarks: 50 Credits: 138,900	Chrome may be faster (at least according to Futuremark) but Firefox is a ton more customizable. __________________ Notebook Forums Moderator & Administrator 590 bans and counting...

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