Linux Distros - Your preference?

TechPro · Post by **TechPro** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:31 am

Of the Linux distros out there, what is your preference? Why?

While we're at it...
If you're putting both Linux and Windows on a system, what order do you prefer to do it in and why? (Windows first then Linux or Linux first then Windows).

Thanks

Admiral LSD · Post by **Admiral LSD** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:35 am

FreeBSD isn't Linux but it's on the list and I use it so I voted for it

As for dual boots, you always, always, always install Windows before Linux (or *BSD for that matter). It's a million times easier if you just let Windows have it's way first and then install your other OSs.

akula65 · Post by **akula65** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 5:28 am

openSUSE. Installation is still fast and painless on my older hardware. Frankly, any of the major distros would probably suit my purposes. I worry more about stability, so I tend to intentionally lag on adoption. For instance, while Version 10 of openSUSE was the latest, I made a point of using 9.3. When Version 11 came out, I switched to 10.3, etc.

I install WinXP first and then Linux. I have no intention of upgrading Windows, but I do periodically reinstall Linux for one reason or another, so it makes sense to do it in that order. All I do is run FIXMBR at the WinXP Recovery Console, delete the Linux partitions, and I am ready to reinstall.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:03 am

EngDrewman · Post by **EngDrewman** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:54 am

Yup- I primarily use Ubuntu, but I have also used Fedora, Knoppix, Damn Small Linux, and PCLinuxOS. On my main computer, I dual boot Ubuntu & XP. No vista here!

Foil · Post by **Foil** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:08 pm

I've tried both Ubuntu and Slackware... but ended up going back to Windows (yes, Vista). Why? Because while I liked the flexibility of a Linux distro, it just became too much work to maintain.

I do programming and configuration at my workplace. When I get home, just give me something that I don't have to spend two hours a night configuring.

Krom · Post by **Krom** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 12:52 pm

I've tried Ubuntu before but found driver support for my Nvidia card lacking at the time, although it was quite a while ago (was version 5.x). Although a lot of that was dealing with my frustratingly slow internet connection and the 30-40 MB package size for the driver. Couldn't get it to install and each attempt required some 15-20 minutes of time just redownloading the package.

Aside from that, the OS itself was pretty nice and the install process was relatively easy. Perhaps now that my internet connection is almost 40 times faster than it was back then I should try it out again.

Otherwise I'm quite satisfied with my XP install and my Vista install as well when I need it. Vista is not so bad on the right machine once you finish setting it up and no longer have any run-ins with UAC.

flip · Post by **flip** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:40 pm

Mepis. I always did prefer KDE over Gnome. Had a pretty good package install, but it's been awhile since I've used it. Since my computer is all play and no work I use Windows now.

Edit: My last Linux install was Debian 4.0 net install. I just installed a base package then added fluxbox as the desktop. Very small and super fast. Makes a great Descent box

Jeff250 · Post by **Jeff250** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:57 pm

I use Ubuntu. It's still my favorite, but I don't like how early they were in adopting things like compiz and PulseAudio by default (so I just turn them off). Then again, I think the other big distros like Fedora did this too.

Ubuntu's large user base tends to work to its advantage. You have more community support, more bug reports, etc. Still, this can also be a disadvantage. I've seen threads on the Ubuntu forums where there are a dozen or so posts of different but all wrong suggestions on how to accomplish something where someone who knew even a little bit about the topic would have been able to easily get it right the first time. But the larger user base lends to Ubuntu seeming to have better hardware and software support, on average.

Really I don't think you can go wrong with using any of the top distros. And it's not like you have to commit to any of them, since it's trivial to blow away and install a different distro if you want. I'm going to insert a small piece of advice here though: put 'home' on a different partition so that you can do this without having to back up your user data. Live CD's also simplify this trial and error process as well

Slackware has its place, but, if Slackware were the distro for you, then you would already know it.

fliptw · Post by **fliptw** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:26 am

linux!

BUBBALOU · Post by **BUBBALOU** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:24 am

Ubuntu Studio AMD/64 8.04.1 (Hardy)

Sorry Folks not the half baked Ubuntu Studio 8.10 (Intrepid) release

Verran · Post by **Verran** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:00 am

Slackware! It has always been rock solid stable, for me.

zico · Post by **zico** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 5:53 pm

Arch.
http://www.archlinux.org/

Spidey · Post by **Spidey** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:19 pm

You forgot \"How to fack would I know where to start?\" J/K I think.

FunkyStickman · Post by **FunkyStickman** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:16 am

I've used almost all of those distros at one point or another, but recently I've been really happy with Ubuntu (and its other flavors, with XFCE and KDE). Currently my 3 Linux machines are all Ubuntu.

God, I love Linux.

Linux Distros - Your preference?

What is your preferred Linux distro?

Linux Distros - Your preference?

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