Which LINUX Distro?

[LWA]

Guys and Gals,
Following all the posts I read about LINUX operating systems, I fancy having a go myself. What DISTRO do you recommend?

Thanks in advance,
Leon

[directhex]

depends what you need and want.

<dpkg> bestfornoobs is probably <directhex> bulio, depends on your level of skill, and whether yo're after an easy first hour, or an easy rest-of-the-time-you-have-it-installed

something like mandrake is very easy to install, comes with a fair bit of functionality out of the box, but is a pain to maintain (e.g. install extra software). fedora core & suse moreso, as they're less featured when first installed. these are all pc-world distributions, for pc-world pcs. if you want a do-it-yourself distribution, for a built-it-yourself pc, look at gentoo, debian, or slackware. tougher to get started with, but leaner & faster. i run debian on my desktop pc.

[directhex]

you could always just download & boot knoppix for a bit, to see if you want to commit the time to getting a proper distribution installed.

[0iD]

Live CD's are damned good, Knoppix or Gnoppix & indeed a handy tool to have because u can often access a b0rkd windoze drive with them. Just Linux is a good n00b site to look at, & failing that, if all the flavours of Linux are too confusing, install BSD .

[oyster]

If you are interested in learning abouyt Linux, then debian or gentoo. directhex is always around, so debian questions may get answered quicker here. gentoo has excellent forums at www.gentoo.org, and is refreshing in the way that diving headfirst into the sea is on a hot day (i.e. quite a shock at first, but lovely once you're in!)

If you just want to use your PC, and want an easy alternative to Windows, then fedora is a good bet as it is very popular, although mandrake and suse are good alternatives. They are your heated swimming pool. Safe, and good for kids!!

Personally, I never got on with Knoppix and the whole idea of Live CD's. It's like just sticking your toe into the water - gives you no idea of what actually running Linux is like.


all imho, of course!

[LWA]

Thanks all for suggestions, I will be looking into them all and generally trying as many as possible.

The only problem is I don't have an internet connection at the moment (until I return to university) - so I will download when I get back!

[0iD]

Thanks all for suggestions, I will be looking into them all and generally trying as many as possible.

The only problem is I don't have an internet connection at the moment (until I return to university) - so I will download when I get back!

Alternatively, head to The Linux Emporium , Cheap Linux or The Linux Mall

[Nox]

Take a look at your hardware too, linux and some hardware doesn't get along too well on some ditros. Onboard SATA RAID if you have it may well force you into certain distros...

Nox

[0iD]

Indeed, ATI linux drivers are rubbish imo.

[stytagm]

Personally, I never got on with Knoppix and the whole idea of Live CD's. It's like just sticking your toe into the water - gives you no idea of what actually running Linux is like.

I'm not sure if I agree or disagree with this comment. This post is coming to you courstesy of Konqueror running from Knoppix I downloaded this afternoon at Uni (less that three minutes hehe, thank you JANET).

I have to say that the sheer shock of it working is a lot of fun, and it's entirely zero hassle. It hasn't managed to get sound working though, but I never have with this system

Cancel that, after fiddling it seems it's using the mobo onboard rather than the PCI soundcar, XMMS now blasting hapilly.

Despite the fun factor I still expect I'll carry on trying to get Debian working, I've got bored with Mandrake, which I agree is dead easy to install, but a bit of a pain from then on.

Sorry for the pointlessness of this post, I'm just chuffed to be hearing sound in Linux!

[cm_uk]

hehe i use linspire tis v kewl.aint had any probs.