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Thread: Help Picking Linux Distro.

  1. #17
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    Re: Help Picking Linux Distro.

    Googling for and installing a package from a random website is a last resort for Linux/GNU and it's not a great idea recommending it to someone who's new to Linux. It may be what you do with Windows but it's best to stick with the repositories on Linux as it makes it far easier to update and manage software and helps to keep malicious software out among other things. To enable DVD playback support for Ubuntu, should you choose to use that distro, have a look at this guide: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats/

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    Re: Help Picking Linux Distro.

    Quote Originally Posted by runeks View Post
    For DVD playback no distros (as far as I know) support it out-of-the-box. This is because of patent issues which would make it illegal to distribute in (at least) the US. But it is quite easy to enable it.
    Well, Mint does it out of the box and so may be slightly better for newbies. It is based on Ubuntu base and is package compatible with Ubuntu so should be alright. Having said that, just for the community, I would suggest Ubuntu. I use Fedora, Open Suse and Ubuntu on 3 different computers and all work very well out of the box but when something breaks, it is easier to get an answer for Ubuntu.

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    Re: Help Picking Linux Distro.

    Im not 100% sure but I thought that Mint was largely differentiated from Ubuntu in that it included proprietary stuff like DVD playback and various other codecs although of course they can be added to Ubuntu.

    You cant go wrong with Ubuntu or Mint anyway in my book! Mint especially is designed for new users, wheras Ubuntu has greater support.

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    Re: Help Picking Linux Distro.

    Mint = Ubuntu + ubuntu-restricted-extras + suse's gnome interface patches... More or less.
    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    ...every time Creative bring out a new card range their advertising makes it sound like they have discovered a way to insert a thousand Chuck Norris super dwarfs in your ears...

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    Re: Help Picking Linux Distro.

    I have to say go with Mint, I don't know why but I really do hate the ubuntu brown !!

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    Re: Help Picking Linux Distro.

    Quote Originally Posted by lodore View Post
    could try debian lenny with xfce?

    try the live cd first to make sure it detects all your hardware correctly
    use the net installer . go to advanced options,alternate desktop environment and choose xfce.
    debian is a bit harder to do certain things.
    any distro with a light desktop environment will be good. light desktop environment such as xfce or lxde
    so you could try xubuntu or mandriva and choose eiether xfce or lxde. You can always try a live cd with gnome if you want but may be to heavy.
    What he said.
    With 512mb RAM you'll want to run a light desktop environment like xfce.

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    Re: Help Picking Linux Distro.

    Quote Originally Posted by Zsev View Post
    What he said.
    With 512mb RAM you'll want to run a light desktop environment like xfce.
    Yeah, I would agree with that. XFCE or LXDE (LXDE flies btw)

    If you want to try LXDE before installing, you can use one of the following live CDs (all based on Ubuntu)

    WattOS
    PUD Linux
    U Lite Linux
    Masonux
    Last edited by arbitrabbit; 15-03-2010 at 01:46 AM.

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