Which Linux OS?

[TheVrolok]

I'm thinking about giving Linux a chance again.. Now I've gotta ask you all, which distro? I'll probably end up DLing the iso and giving it a shot, just need a suggestion.. Mandrake ? Redhat ? ... ?

 

[flawedecision]

I prefer red hat.

 

[ToyMachine]

mandrake 8.1 is super cool/powerfull/robust.

 

[TheVrolok]

Now if I DL Mandrake 8.1, do you recommend I get the extras iso as well?

 

[n0cmonkey]

I recommend 2.4. But some people stillprefer 2.2.

If you meant distribution and your brain went on vacation when you typed that I recommend slackware.

 

[DugnDog]

Best choice depends on what you want to do.

Here's a helpful comparison

 

[bigrash]

I like RedHat 7.2

 

[TheVrolok]

How so DugnDog? Best distro for development/performance/gaming, that kinda stuff?

 

[Mean MrMustard]

So when I go to download it...what files do i download? How many files are enough to install with gnome? ( I'm a newbie to Linux but am interested.)

Craig

 

[n0cmonkey]

For performance I would go with slackware or Debian. For gaming I would go with Win98. For development again, slackware.

If you have a cd burner download an iso if they are available. If not, do a network install.

 

[TheVrolok]

ELP, easiest way I know is to check out a site like http://www.linuxiso.org and DL whichever ISO you want then just burn it to CD.

 

[Platypus]

Mandrake

Go to their downloads section, you will need all 3 ISOs if you want all the extras.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Mandrake is good for pretty pictures. It tries to keep you from learning linux.
RedHat is good to get PHB's to let you install it.
Slackware has no faults except the fact it is linux. It is pretty much good for servers and those types of things, but can be used on a desktop with more work. It is the UNIX user's linux.
Debian is great for lazy communists. apt and dselect are supposed to be two of the greatest programs out there for upgrading and installing software, but their adherance to the GPL is disturbing. (sure someone will flame me for that ).
SuSE is another distribution that the PHBs might take a look at, if you are in europe

 

[flawedecision]

To clear things up it doesn't matter which distribution you use.

You can do pretty much whatever you want on any of the distributions. The battle between choosing a distro is more of a 'look at me i'm 3l33t' thing...

do note that mandrake and red hat will be easier to install if you are a first time user.

I prefer red hat because it has always seemed to be a well rounded distro as far as applications and support is concerned. Whether it be for general desktop usage, development workstation, or a server it can always get the job done and isn't very difficult to get going.

Not to mention that it has the coolest name and logo of any of the distros.

 

[miniMUNCH]

Not to mention that you'll if your serious about linux, you may end up wanting to compile your own kernel to form it to your taste...I'm working that direction using some optimizations for computation provided by MSC...

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

<< Debian is great for lazy communists >>



ahahhahahahhahahhaha

Stalin: "You LOVE linux, right?.....RIGHT!!!"

 

[n0cmonkey]

<<

<< Debian is great for lazy communists >>



ahahhahahahhahahhaha

Stalin: "You LOVE linux, right?.....RIGHT!!!"

>>



And if anyone really gets offended at that, I just want you to know Debian is one of the distros I really want to try. Feel free to donate hardware

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

once i get around to not being a -lazy bastard- i'm gonna replace RH w/ debian

 

[manly]

I disagree with flaw's statement that it doesn't matter which distro you choose.

Yes, it doesn't matter if you only plan on learning. Yes, you can theoretically learn from any distro.

But as any analogy, for a legacy Windows OS, you could choose 95, 95OSR2.x, 98, 98SE, or Me (and maybe some OEM versions in between). In all but a few cases, 98SE seems to be the consensus best choice. Even though in 99% of cases, any of these would be OS-compatible with 3rd party software.

Now all the Win9x OSs are pretty similar. When it comes to Linux distros, the platform is identical (GNU software), but the packaging and administration can be significantly different. You want to choose one of the best tools, not any of the tools available (there are literally tens if not hundreds of official Linux distros).

I think flawedecision really means to say try a few out, and see which you like. That opinion I would agree with.

I personally like SuSE 7.x

 

[stirling]

lol@n0cmonkey

I'm all for slackware as far as distros go, but the only system I've been happy with was LFS

 

[BlvdKing]

Try SuSE 7.3. I have SuSE 7.2 and it's a very good distro. Unfortunately, only a demo version can be downloaded I think. I buy Linux from stores when I can to support the cause.

I don't like Mandrake at all. I had a hard time compiling anything; I think it wanted both distribution and version specific RPM's. I didn't have the right libraries when compiling so that was definately a no go. I don't have time to screw around with alot of configuring so Slackware and other's like it are out of the picture.

I am keeping track of two distributions that could make alot of headway on the desktop:

Redmond Linux

Lindows

I would love to install my Windows programs on Linux.

 

[Sunner]

Debian is so nice, especially if you're laxy like me

Apt-get is so conviniant.

Slack would be nice if they'd just do away with that cursed BSD init and throw SysV in instead

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< Debian is so nice, especially if you're laxy like me

Apt-get is so conviniant. >>



Thats why I want to try it out.



<< Slack would be nice if they'd just do away with that cursed BSD init and throw SysV in instead >>



Then I would have to drop it. BSD init is oen of the big reasons I feel more comfortable on Slack instead of another distro. But they wont drop it. History and all



<< I think flawedecision really means to say try a few out, and see which you like. That opinion I would agree with. >>



I think most of us would agree with that. Ive used RedHat (5.2, 6.2, 7.1), Slackware (3.4(?), 7.0, 8.0), Mandrake (7.0-7.2) and finally settled on Slack. Slack was also the distro that taught me the most. And that is why I recommend it above others.

 

[flawedecision]

Well if you are intent on utilizing the distro specific tools and gui administrative advantages then yes, the distro can make all the difference in the world...

but if you don't plan on leaving the command line then in my view it doesn't matter what you use... and I've tried quite a few except for debian. Haven't had time for debian.

I also prefer a distro that I know how to pronounce... Soos? Debean? come on, as if things weren't difficult as is.

 

[TheVrolok]

Burned and installed the RH 7.2 ISO today.. VERY easy install. Can't wait to find time to play with it.