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This is a queston that I have asked here before and one that is asked quite a bit. So what I am doing is posting this knowing that somebody is asking themselves this queston right now. What I wont to do is put my two cents in.
First if your a hard core Linux geek it wont matter much whitch distro you use. Matter of fact you can download the linux kernal and make your own linux. There is even a book on how to do this. You can compile almost anything for your distro and not worry about finding pre compiled binaries IF you know how to do it. Now few newcomers to Linux are going to load Linux and start typing away in the command line till they get there system working the way they wont.So I am picking a A distro on a Click, click, click basis assuming that the User is looking for there first Linux system.
So looking at it from the prespective of a newcomer..... I think some things to consider are ease of use, cost and inclusion of normal software like. Mp3 player, DVD player, burner, P2P, IM Like Yahoo messenger.
An easy way to update the system and add remove hardware. Of course it needs to be easy to install new comers to linux might give up before they even had Linux installed.I have been off work for a couple of months now (Will be back next week) so I have had time to look a few of the current linux distros. I have tried SUSE, Mandriva, Fedora
Ubuntu,PCBSD,Sabayon, Slackware, PCLinuxOS,
and PCLinuxOS light.Not all distros have every thing you need some do not include for legal resons things like DVD decoders and codex for mp3 and MPEG players and Ymessenger wont work for all of them. There was only one distrow that had everything I was looking for.
1. Easy partition manager.
Out of the box working.
XMMS (Mp3 player)Xine (DvD player)
Frostwire (Like Limewire)
K3b (Burner)
Yahoo messenger compadabol
Easy to use, free, automatic update (Auto load)
and package manager.Free download of the OS.
Now this is my opinion I know every one won't agree and I would love to here others imput.
Since linux is an ever growing ever changing world I can only say that at this time (things could change tomorrow) and IMHO I Liked PCLinuxOS Light far more than the others that I tried.
My two cents...
Hi there, markp1313,
That's a lot more than two cents to me, I've not tryed linux yet but i want to and I found your "two cents" very helpful indeed, thank you.The limits of my language are the limits of my world.
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Thanks for the post.
I do know you can't swing a dead cat and hit two people that agree with a distro for one reason or the other.
For newbie's I still suggest live cd's and virtual machines before they try dual boots.They can compile their kernel as they wish later.
I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.
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Hi jefro
I agree with you 100%
I never condidered a live cd I was
just thinkng about what distro I liked
the most. But Ya trying a live CD would
be the best test of your hardware and preferences.
IMHO anywayHere I get to make another PCLinuxOS plug :)
PCLinuxOS will install from the live disk.
Unlike many others that have seprate disks.
If its loaded live and you like it just click
on the "Install" Icon and your on your way.
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What you need to take into account is Graphics and Chipsets not to mention CPU Speed and memory available. It is impossable with *NIX to say one size fits all. Also BSD has to be considered as well!
Another irrelevent post AFAIAC.....
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To be honest I like Ubuntu and Kubuntu Gnome+KDE and the new Ubuntu is dummie proof when coming to a dual boot just click resize partition and then install :D
Help is always needed!
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IMHO, No post is irrelevant although I tend to avoid Best Distribution discussions, because (as stated above by Jefro) no two people will ever agree. Since this one is a statement attesting to which distribution markp1313 found preferable complete with reasoning, I wish to add one simple observation:
markp1313, you have taken the one step I believe any user new to Linux should take by trying several distributions, then choosing the one that works best for you. PCLinuxOS is an excellent starting place (as are the others you checked out). One you seem to have missed (perhaps because it is targeted at vintage hardware) is Puppy Linux.
I also wish to add this suggestion to any one who wants to check out Linux distributions with the object of making an informed choice:
Install a VM (virtual machine) under Windows. I use Virtual Box here because it permits me to boot the VM from a Live CD image file (iso) as if it were a CD in my drive and it is available for use under Windows, Linux and Mac (also free for personal use).
Purchase a small package of CD-RW disks (their purpose will become clear later).
Go to frozentech's Live CD List for a relatively complete list of distributions available as Live CD's. (I am sure other similar lists exist, but this is the one I use).
Download the Live CD image for any distribution you want to check out and run it in the VM. If you like the distribution, burn the image to a CD-RW. Boot your computer from it to check hardware compatibility. If you still like the distribution and it works well on your system, keep the CD you burned and the image file as a possible candidate. If you do not like the distribution, or it does not work well when booted from a CD (not from the VM), delete the image file (and erase the CD if applicable) since it will not be a good choice for you. Repeat this step for as many distributions as you want to try.
After you have tried several distributions, you will begin to see the similarities between them, as well as the differences. You will also begin to form an opinion as to which are best for you. Take as much time as you want running each distribution you like (that's why you keep the image file) in the VM. Run the installer(s) to install the Live CD distribution(s) to your VM so you can become familiar with the installation process(es). You can create a virtual hard drive (file) for each distribution you want to install, or you can format the virtual hard drive with each installation.
When you become familiar with using the distribution you finally choose, and feel comfortable with installing it to your hard drive, you can set up a dual boot (or replace Windows all together). The one thing I hope you will always remember is that the best Linux distribution is the one that works best for you. Also remember that what works for you may not work as well for others. The Open Source Community and Linux are about freedom, choice, and the sharing of ideas and information. As you learn about your new OS, you will find plenty of
help along the way. As you become more experienced using Linux, remember how many have helped you, and return the debt by helping others.Ernie Registered Linux User 247790
ICQ 41060744
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ernie, That's the most complete and wondrerfuly sound post I've ever read anywhere. I mean, what a way to set a newbie linux user on to the path, the RIGHT path.
I thank you very much for your responce.:)
I did'nt mean to leave anybody out, I thank you all. This is a marvelous discution, for me, I'm really paying attention.
Oh' I'm just the guy that posted the message just before this one.The limits of my language are the limits of my world.
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yea,I love puppy, I'm using it right now on a old PII laptop. I always use puppy (gparted) to set up the hard drive, no matter what OS I'm installing. As far as the live cd's, they are great, to determine if your hardware will be detected but, I think slowness may turn off some newbees, who do not understand that the OS will run faster from the HD. I think one of the best distros for a newbee is freespire. I know the purist hate it but, even my wife doesn't mine using it over XP.
larry
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