Which version of Linux should I use????

[David38400]

Hi experienced Linux Users. I am totally fed up with Microsoft and am seriously thinking of changing to Linux. I understand there are different versions available and I am clueless about what does what. Can anybody please let me know which version to download. I really am looking as a home user and need it for music, images, dvd's and home music and accounting. Nothing out of the ordinary. Thanks very much in advance to anybody who may reply.

[bsm2001]

http://distrowatch.com

Look in the right hand column and start browsing.

find one that that has a live cd and try that and get a feel for it. when you find the one that is comfortable for you then give it a shot.

[blackbelt_jones]

They're coming.

I can hear the approaching hoofbeats. Whenever some poor b*****d asks the inevitable "What distro should I use?", question, every cowboy with a justlinux password rides into town to tell him something different. PCLinux users, Debian users, opensuse users and Fedora users, will all be here soon. You'll hear from devotees of Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Fluxbuntu, Edubuntu, Pornbuntu, and Yadayadayuntu. And always, a Slackware guy. Ignore the Slackware guy! The Slackware guy is not your friend.

They'll be here soon. I wonder what's keeping them.

If you have a fast connection, and a half-way decent machine, my advice to you is to relax and spend a good long time fooling around with a nice collection of live CDs. A live CD is an operating system that doesn't have to be installed. It runs from your CD drive and RAM. You boot it, and it runs. Live CDs came on the scene about five years ago, and now they're all over the place.

A live CD can be made to read data from your Windows partition (in other words, you can play music, videos, and access data from your hard drive.) You may need a Linux-formatted partition if you want to write to your hard drive... but that's another story.

Just go to distrowatch like bsm said, and look for live CDs. Hang out in the forums and see what people are using, and these days nearly everything is available in a live version. Just take your time. Try some different desktops environments. (KDE, Gnome, XFCE... don't know what I'm talking about? You will soon enough.)

Of course, my advice is based on the assumption that you're like me five years ago: excited, but perplexed and overwhelmed. Maybe you're different.

Maybe you should just install Slackware. Slackware is awesome. Seriously. Ignore what everyone else tells you.:D

[eyceguy]

my personal suggestion would be Mepis.

Reasons?
1) very nice automatic hardware detection, worked the best on my laptop compared to other linux distros i had tried.
2) LiveCD. Awesome sandbox for a newcomer to linux.
3) KDE. KDE is the desktop manager and while i may get flamed for it I believe that it's the best for someone new to linux, it's layout is familiar to a popular operating system we don't mention here. So for someone new to linux its a nice gentle introduction to linux.

-off topic-
hey blackbelt where can i get a hold of that pornbuntu?

[blackbelt_jones]

-off topic-
hey blackbelt where can i get a hold of that pornbuntu?

You know, "pornbuntu" has been a favorite joke of mine for a while, but a live CD would be a great way to distribute porn. You have a CD or maybe even a DVD, which has a very rudimentary desktop operating system, and a big wad of built-in porn. What makes this a great idea is that nothing is left behind on the hard drive for the kids (or the wife) to find.

[mrrangerman43]

blackbelt_jones

What makes this a great idea is that nothing is left behind on the hard drive for the kids (or the wife) to find.

Or how about NOT having that garbage around at all, then you don't have to worry about the kids or wife finding it?

[JohnT]

Alfred E. Neuman (http://www.nofear.org/Archives/Media/2003/07/alfred_neuman.jpg)What me worry?:D

[acid45]

Is DVD playback available for Linux? ...legally? Without much fuss?

...and what's this about Slackware? =D

Anyway, for the original poster. Live CDs are what I use to try and convince people to try Linux when they get me over to get rid of their latest porn site/P2P installation. I always gave them Ubuntu but not many people wanted it. It detects hardware pretty well but alot of the Distros, or versions, out there are doing this.

A lot of the people I know that just use Linux as a PC as they would Windows seem to use Debian. RedHat also seems to have a lot of support out there.

Like everyone said, burn and try a bunch of Live CDs. Once you've found one that does everything you want, which all of them should, install it. Most live CDs have a little Install to HD program somewhere in the menu, that may be something old and you may have to download specific install discs.

Oh and one more thing. While you getting used to the 'looking for open source alternatives' way that I go about looking for software for Linux, you could install wine and install Windows applications natively in your distribution of choice. Not all applications can be installed, but I find everything I've tried worked fine.

[crow2icedearth]

you shoule use version 2.6.x not 2.4.x . ha ha


iIf you are asking what version of Linux to use,I would suggest kernel 2.6.x.x If you are asking what distro to use that is your choice. For a newbie i would use ubuntu or fedora or something that is easy to install and use .

once you are experienced i move towards gentoo linux.

[happybunny]

As I am the only one in the office today and have nothing to do, I'll throw in my 2 cents.

The point crow2icedearth is making is valid. Linux is Linux is Linux is Linux, and Linux is the kernel, which is currently version 2.6.x.x.x.

To your question, you should have asked which "distribution" of Linux should you use.

D E B I A N, redhat, suse, ubuntu, mint, pclinux....all these people took Linux (the kernel) and wrapped product around them, each targeted and suited to different needs.

The other thing to consider when switching, is that your interaction with Linux will greatly depend on which desktop manager you use, ie KDE or GNOME or other.

While most distributions today come with GNOME as the first choice, KDE and the others also offer great user experiences, again based on needs and preferences.

I think blackbelt_jones has a long thread discussing this, too.

For me its really Debian or nothing. It is a tiny install (~200 megs). After the minimal install, I can install only what I want.

However, the Ubuntu people took Debian, wrapped it up with some nice packaging and made the user experience pretty mindless (whether thats good or bad I'll leave to you, but I have converted several people to Linux with it, including my father).

The latest versions of Ubuntu and Fedora both come with the latest hot new product called compiz, which lets you do some crazy 3d stuff to your desktop that rivals Mac OSX and Vista.

My advise:
If you simply needs a functioning desktop to surf, chat, email, music and watch movies, get Ubuntu or Fedora 8 (possibly Suse but i can't stand Suse myself), and it should all work just fine.

If you want to learn how Linux works, and get the most out of your system, go with debian, slackware or gentoo, which give (or force) you to do some learning, exploring and growing.

[shadebug]

Is DVD playback available for Linux? ...legally? Without much fuss?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libdvdcss

assuming you believe wikipedia that means that any linux dvd player such as mplayer or vlc (both great depending on what whets your whistle) will be able to handle dvd playback perfectly and legally

[nolimit974]

Easy of use = Fedora go with live it make love to it.

Second would be Kubuntu.

[loopback48]

... Ignore the Slackware guy! The Slackware guy is not your friend.

Blackbelt, you kill me!

Since you're new to Linux let me suggest a distro that will give you what you want and need. A distro that makes your first steps into Linux enjoyable. One that has all the apps, codecs and such, and works right out of the box. So, with that said, here goes:

1. Ubuntu
2. MintLinux
3. PClinuxOS
4. Mepis

For the time being, stay away from Debian, Fedora, openSUSE and without a doubt, stay away from Slackware.:)

Once you've become comfortable with anyone of these distros, then you can get geeky if you want. But get an OS up and running first.

[keratam]

hi people. here r my system details.. plz suggest me a distro that would be ideal for these:

celeron 333MHz processor, 64 MB RAM, 4GB hard disk.

which distro would run on this well and give me a way to enjoy music, movies, easy with hardware installations and connect to the internet (all common browsing, downloading, uploading, mailing, chatting, etc)

i've tried to install Ubuntu but it has a problem while installing which no one could ideally solve until now as per the related forums. n may be my sytem requirements are far too less for Ubuntu.

thanks in advance for the advice.

-Keratam, Hyd, India.

[enshum]

Download Sabayon Linux 3.4f Live DVD 32 or 64 depending on your processor. Or I can mail you Sabayon DVD.

ed

[loopback48]

keratam old buddy, I don't think you'll be doing much with the machine you've got except surfing the web and checking your email. Not enough RAM and the HD is just barely big enough for the OS. Maybe not?!

But one must do what one can with what one has. Try one of the mini distros. Give DSL a try. Go to Distrowatch.com and lookup DamnSmallLinux.

[loopback48]

double post. Sorry.

[JohnT]

Burn yourself a copy of Puppylinux Live CD about 100mb and if you like it install it.....good for old machines.


P-s-s-s-t...Hey kid ..gotta deal on Slackware here....don't listen to those other guys's. They'll just steer ya wrong. It's not really habit forming like they say. It's healthy too.:cool:

[saikee]

David38400 & keratam,

Welcome to Justlinux.

For small distros Damn Small Linux is about 50Mb while Pupply is under 100Mb.

One can run a Linux without a hard disk but 64Mb of ram may be a challenge.

[clw54]

Whatever you choose, give it a year or so and then try Slackware.

[JamminJoeyB]

Don't listent to the slackware guy, how about don't listent to the fedora guy. Depenency hell, need I say more?

Seriously, get a distro suited to your hardware and then come talk to us slackware guys about running linux on older hardware. Slackware guys like to see just how crusty a system we can run on slackware, well at least I like to.

[keratam]

thank you thank you thank you very much my dear friends for your responses. i think its time for me to rock!!
i will give a try to DSL, puppylinux and sabayonlinux. i've downloaded the iso image of dsl. the other two i have to.

thank you frens again..

getting the ticket to enter the linux world with all smiles..
-Keratam

[David38400]

Hi to all those Linux people that have replied to my earlier posting. I really appreciate all your help, but I am still confused. My computer is only a couple of years old and has a big capacity so this shouldn't be a problem. I just want to use my computer at home for the usual things like Open Office, Excel etc., and surf the net, download music and play music and videos etc., I have a copy of the UBUNTU book with a live CD so will start here for the moment. I can't wait to get rid of Windows XP!!! No doubt we'll speak again. Ciao

[!kiX!]

If you have a decent box with at least 512 MB of RAM, then I'd suggest you to try either Kubuntu (http://www.kubuntu.org/) or PCLinuxOS (http://www.pclinuxos.com/). Both of them make solid starting points, as they are the most newbie-friendly Linux distributions with helpful communities. Of course, it's all about choice in Linux world and you may end up finding something else to suit your liking. I ended up with Arch Linux (http://www.archlinux.org/), but I would not suggest it to any newbies out there, since you would have to have developed at least some knowledge and preferences to install it.

[irlandes]

hi people. here r my system details.. plz suggest me a distro that would be ideal for these:

celeron 333MHz processor, 64 MB RAM, 4GB hard disk.

which distro would run on this well and give me a way to enjoy music, movies, easy with hardware installations and connect to the internet (all common browsing, downloading, uploading, mailing, chatting, etc)

i've tried to install Ubuntu but it has a problem while installing which no one could ideally solve until now as per the related forums. n may be my sytem requirements are far too less for Ubuntu.

thanks in advance for the advice.

-Keratam, Hyd, India.

You are asking a lot for an old computer. With Puppy Linux some of the basic stuff will work on there. The part I am not sure about with Puppy is movies and music. Mail and browsing fine.

[!kiX!]

Music will definitely work with some kind of a light music player. Movies should also be possible to get to work, but I've never tried on a Linux box with that old computer. Perhaps with some light window manager like Openbox?

[Alpine CH]

celeron 333MHz processor, 64 MB RAM, 4GB hard disk.

I have managed to install DSL on an even older computer with 233MHz and 64MB RAM and 6 or 8GB Harddisk. It was a very old Sony Vaio but after some setting up on the display side it runs OK. The only problem I have with it is the wireless application that has to be setup still. But some day that will also work:rolleyes: ....

Would be Debian minimal install be an option and then IceWM/ROX or Fluxbox or something? Would be practically DSL but would have the apt-get option of Debian making installs a bit easier.....

[xandrosuser]

I’ve played with Linux for over 10 years and I still consider myself a newbie, but I never felt it was ready for prime time on the desktop. In the last year 2 things have changed my mind, 1 the release of MS Vista and 2 the release of Xandros 4.0. I must say Xandros has been helping me get over my addiction to windows, of the 8-10 different distro’s of Linux I have tried, Xandros is the most user friendly. I have tried it on family and friends from 8 to 80 and they take to it like a fish to water.

Now I know all of you Linux Pro’s will say “but it’s not free” no it’s not free, but it is a worthwhile investment for the windows user who wants to try Linux. It comes with a 1-inch thick user guide that will help even the novice computer user through the setup. And if you can’t do without MS Office like my sister, I installed Internet explorer and office 2003 with Crossover office to make her feel at home. And myself I still use MS FrontPage 2000 to edit the web site that I do for my father’s WWII vets group. So I think this is great, I can still use my old MS software and never give Mr. Bill another dime.

I only wish that when I bought my last laptop someone were selling a Linux ready laptop; I had to settle for if you put XP on it I’d buy it. Of course they tried, they sent one with Vista and I sent it back. Now I know HP and Dell are selling Linux laptops.

The one thing you need to get Linux on more desktops is a distro like Xandros. I don’t know how many of you Linux Pro’s have tried it but they do have a 30-day trial that you can download. I hear very little about this OS, but if you want to get your friends and family who use windows to try Linux this is the one.

http://www.xandros.com/products/home/home_edition.html

[saikee]

I am not a Linux pro but one of my boxes has two free versions of Xandros installed. In a way I have been keeping an eye on Xandros for a while. I would say it is a direct competitor to Linspire.

If I want a MS system I use a MS system. If I want a Linux I use a Linux. Xandro is somewhere in between.

It is the same for someone who wants to use a paid proprietary system or a free open source Linux. To pay for a free system pre-configured in a certain way is a very narrow market.

My basic objection to this distro is as a normal user it mounts the partitions as "c", "D", "E", etc and the standard filing system of /, /boot, /usr, /home are hidden away. I think a normal user needs the root privilege just to see them.

It is a "tragic" way to learn a Linux system that does deal with its fundamental filing system. How would a Linux user know what /usr or /boot is for in Xandros I never know.

May be I am looking at it from a different angle as I do not destroy a MS system to intsall a Linux. I simply mount whatever I need from the MS partitions to get what I want in Linux and there are free programs like ext2ifs that I can mount Linux partition for use inside a MS system.

Therefore to me personally it is much more important to learn the skill to access data from one OS to another system. Many programs and working between different OSes are very similar in nature and it is a truly "rewarding" to be abe to appreciate why things are done in a certain way regardless which system is being used.

There are a lot of things ready made in Xandros for a Linux user but this advantage is pregressively eroded by new versions of Linux like Ubuntu and PCLinuxOS which are equally capable and user-friendly.

I would say Xandros is a good all-rounder and particularly friendly to Windows users. It does so at the expense of being significantly slower than the other distros. It is possible that the free versions are older and so are slower by default.

The quality of a distro can be reflected in the way it handles certain tasks. My Xandros run Lilo and its Xandros installer attempts to multi-boot every Linux in my box by compiling the longest /etc/lilo.conf I have ever seen. Don't think I actually counted the number of systems it tried to multi-boot but it is several times more than 27 images. Its Lilo does not support booting more than 27 images but the Xandros installer apparently doesn't know that.

[quip]

Or how about NOT having that garbage around at all, then you don't have to worry about the kids or wife finding it?

Uhhh...because I like looking at nekkid people...or maybe I'm just a perv. :p

Either way, I think you're just a little too dismissive of a man, his innovative dream, and the will to make it happen...:D

Go blackbelt_jones!

[blackbelt_jones]

I don't have the will to make it happen, and I don't have a wife or children that I need to hide my porn from Besides, as I approach the age of AARP eligibility, I don't have much interest, anyway.

I just really like the name "Pornbuntu".

[quip]

I don't have the will to make it happen, and I don't have a wife or children that I need to hide my porn from Besides, as I approach the age of AARP eligibility, I don't have much interest, anyway.

I just really like the name "Pornbuntu".

I hope my sarcasm was detected...

[blackbelt_jones]

I hope my sarcasm was detected...

Well, maybe you were being sarcastic, but I wasn't; I really do love the name "Pornbuntu"!:)

[quip]

Well, maybe you were being sarcastic, but I wasn't; I really do love the name "Pornbuntu"!:)
Agreed!

[xandrosuser]

I worked as an electronics / computer technician for a Science Center for many years before going on disability in 2000. In the mid to late 90’s we started installing Linux first on our server then on exhibits but never on someone’s desktop. And when I was working on computers it was to fix broken windows mostly because they did something that you and me would call stupid. 95 % of windows users don’t know the OS and don’t want too, they just want to use it. I still fix computers on the side for people and nothing has changed.

Which is why I think the Linux community should support a distro like Xandros to bring Linux to the masses that don’t really want to learn the OS but just want to use it. But if you want to learn Linux it’s just under the hood and it’s a good start to get people moving away from MS. Just like a car most people don’t want to get out the tool box and lift the hood.

Today I read a story in the local paper about Wal-Mart selling a Linux ready computer with gOS preinstalled for $199. Now I had to log on and check it out, now I’m not to impressed with gOS but the hardware works with Linux and I can’t build a computer at that price. So I thought new toy put it on the workbench and connect it to the KVM and install multiple Linux OS’s. Plus I thought I should put my money where my mouth is and show there is a market for Linux ready computers so I bought one. What’s next should I get an Eee laptop, I think I’ll pass on that for now, If I can’t take it apart and change things it ante no fun.

What goes around comes around, I got my first Unix based OS in 1986 (Does anyone remember Tandy and OS-9 from Microware) and it had a windowing program called Muti-View. I just sold it on Ebay last year for enough to pay for a copy of XP from Mr. Bill if I wanted. I still remember how much fun it was to edit the 5 ¼ boot disk so it could read a 3 ½ 1.44 MB floppy disk, increased my storage space x 4.

OK bottom line is Xandros is Linux with training wheels and in the 90’s I recommended AOL to people with kids mostly but also for the older generation because it was the Internet with training wheels. I used AOL back then along with VNC on my home network so I could see what the kids where up to. Hey I finally got the last family member off AOL and on broadband. But you have to start somewhere.

Sorry for rambling, the old gray matter ante what it used to be but I think I made my point.