Linux Distros - Your preference?
Linux Distros - Your preference?
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
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
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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.
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.
- EngDrewman
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- Foil
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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.
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
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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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
- FunkyStickman
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