Poll: SuSE or Mandrake

[figgypower]

Quick background: Linux newbie who's aware of the open source movement, follows the movement to some degree, and uses some open source software on Windows (i.e. Mozilla); has been a Windows user for too long. I'm considering trying out a Linux distro and seeing how it is, and if I like it, to switch to Linux and ditch Windows. This is my own machine, a Dell Inspiron 8000. I don't need super-industrial grade Linux, just one that is user friendly and has a nice GUI. I also intend to dual-boot with Win XP Pro, at least initially. Doing my own research I've narrowed it down to two: SuSE or Mandrake, and I can't decide between the two. They seem perfect for my needs. My needs being net surfing, e-mail, word processing (the whole Office suite, basically), occasional coding, ocassional image editing, and simple sound editing. Multimedia usage is also important to me; is their a WinAmp for Linux or something similar? What's a good video player, and what about DVDs? I also intend on using WINE, and I noticed there's a WINE specifically for SuSE - don't know if that really matters (i.e. standard WINE with Mandrake is just as good). Anyway, I'd appreciate all of your comments and expert advice.

Edit (7/29/03; 9:00a):
Title change.

 

[darktubbly]

Just about any distro will fulfill your requirements. If you want to try out Linux without commiting any hard drive space to it, you might want to check out Knoppix. As for Mandrake/SuSe, I've never used Suse, so I can't comment on that, but as far as I know, you have to pay for the CD's while Mandrake is free. Regarding apps, you've got lots of options, but here's what I would recommend off the top of my head.

Net surfing: Mozilla Firebird
E-mail: Evolution
Word processing: OpenOffice
Winamp/MP3 player: XMMS
XINE for playing DVD's....MPlayer is good, but doesn't have good menu support and doesn't deinterlace overseas DVD's (anime, etc.)

 

[figgypower]

Well, for what I've read and heard, I'd probably want to stay away from Debian or Slackware. I'm too much of a newbie, as far as I can understand. I was also considering using the Mozilla suite, as opposed to Firebird and another mail program - would that be good?

 

[darktubbly]

Sure, use Mozilla's suite if you feel more comfortable with it. You don't necessarily have to stay away from Debian or Slackware...it's just that Mandrake (and RedHat) are more suited towards new users.

 

[batmang]

go with suse 8.2, mandrake sucks dood.

 

[NuclearFusi0n]

Debian or Gentoo if you can follow install + setup directions.

 

[figgypower]

Originally posted by: darktubbly
Sure, use Mozilla's suite if you feel more comfortable with it. You don't necessarily have to stay away from Debian or Slackware...it's just that Mandrake (and RedHat) are more suited towards new users.

Well, if there are performance advantages to using Evolution and Firebird, instead of the Mozilla suite, I'd be more than happy to get comfortable with Ev/Fire. As for the SuSE ISOs, the install seems more complicated (for a noob); as in you have to do remote FTP installation, because they don't make their latest ISOs available. Mandrake has the lead, as far as installation simplification, even asking fewer questions, etc. during install. However, from what I read, once SuSE is set during install - it's SET. SuSE also seems to have more noob FAQs and binaries specifically compiled for it, or maybe it's just me. A few more opinons and the results of the poll, and then I'm ready to dive into Linux.

P.S. I'm also trying to convert some of my peers to a Linux distro with WINE on their non-gaming machines. The majority of them are non-techie.

Edit (7/29/03; 9:00a):

Originally posted by: NuclearFusi0n
Debian or Gentoo if you can follow install + setup directions.

Not sure that I could... I just feel I've been baby'd by Windows for too long. Eventually, though, I want to really learn the OS.

 

[figgypower]

Hm... anyone? What about firewall or virus scanning, or is that just irrelevant on a Linux system?

 

[darktubbly]

Eh? I thought we had answered all your questions. What else did you want to know?

 

[manly]

Virus scanning is almost completely irrelevant for Linux and most UNIX systems.

The Linux kernel has built-in firewall capabilities, but the OS distribution itself ships scripts that actually implement particular firewalls.

SuSE has done so for as long as anybody, back since the 6.x versions. I don't recall exactly, but Red Hat Linux didn't ship ipchains firewalling until version 7.x. I've always been pretty happy with SuSE's firewall; it's a pretty powerful product that is targeted more towards securing a server. They have an alternate personal-firewall package that's probably more alike the Windows built-in firewall, or other distribution's firewalls.

The main drawback to SuSE is you either have to buy it, or install by FTP if you want to try it for free. Their copyright does not allow free redistribution of ISOs. I noticed many people sell SuSE on ebay, but AFAIK these are unauthorized copies that violate the license.

I have to disagree with one point stated above, that any Linux will do. For the most part, that's reasonably true. However, for laptops, ACPI power management/peripherals configuration is highly desirable. ACPI is being developed for Linux 2.6, but has been backported into the 2.4 series kernel by a few vendors. Namely SuSE since version 8.1, Mandrake since 9.1, and Red Hat in the upcoming (beta) release. See the Red Hat beta release notes for some info that pertains to laptops.

Some other distros could also be shipping ACPI, but it's certainly a value add-on. I've seen a lot of complaints about SuSE's ACPI subsystem for desktop PCs. However, like I said, it's pretty useful for laptops if you run off the battery. You can generalize this to other distros: ACPI support under Linux is still in development.