Best Linux?

BrianR · 11-01-2007, 11:53 PM

Which flavor of Linux is "best"?

I have a copy of Mandrake Linux V 9 but that's been cancelled or something. Now it's something else but I forget what.

What about Red Hat? Ubuntu? something else?

I have a new HP dv9417cl and it ame with WinBlows Vista Home Premium and I want it GONE!

Linux is going on but I want recommendations for a newbie. I want the KDE interface to make things familiar to me and it needs a source of drivers so I can make all my extras work (webcam, wireless card etc)

Any hints?

Undertoad · 11-02-2007, 12:44 AM

I use KDE on RH with the latest Fedoras. But there has been some work involved getting it to work exactly right. Ubuntu is Gnome-oriented but there is a KDE Ubuntu - Kubuntu.

In the end, they are all extremely similar under the hood. It's not like one's Chevy and one's Hyundai. This is more like two Toyota Land Cruisers, one in blue with a roof rack, the other in red with a tow hitch.

laebedahs · 11-10-2007, 11:04 PM

I run Gentoo on a server I built 2 years ago - easy to keep up to date, and very powerful; also very easy to install programs. Some might say a downside is all programs are built from source. Recently a livecd has been created (last year?), and more recently a GUI installer.

But if you want something you can just install and go with, Kubuntu. Or you can get a modified version of Mac OS that'll run on Intel/AMD hardware.

wolfd · 11-11-2007, 12:31 AM

AKA - PCLOS. It's easier to use than Ubuntu and looks better too.

http://www.thepcspy.com/articles/lin...los_2007_final

Undertoad · 11-11-2007, 08:28 AM

Easier to use... I wouldn't present that first screen to a newb under any circumstances.

On the other hand it does use KDE

wolfd · 11-11-2007, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Easier to use... I wouldn't present that first screen to a newb under any circumstances.

On the other hand it does use KDE

The first screen is what you initially see when you run the 'Live" CD. I have installed it on several PC's and it was very user friendly. The link I provided leads you thru the install process step by step.

richlevy · 11-11-2007, 10:40 AM

I just upgraded to Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon). Unlike the previous version, this had plug-and-play printer support for the HP printer.

I also had an much easier time installing a wi-fi card.

These are two big tests for any Linux distro.

BrianR · 11-11-2007, 08:01 PM

OK, Mandriva is too hard. I'll try Wolfd's link next, as soon as I get a HS connection.

zippyt · 11-11-2007, 08:38 PM

Interesting , what are the hard ware requirements ??

Radar · 11-12-2007, 01:38 AM

Ubuntu is by far the best and easiest to use. It has a very small footprint (comes on 1 cd), looks great, works great, comes in pretty much every known language, etc.

After that, my next choice would probably be fedora (Redhat), or Debian.

Kitsune · 11-12-2007, 03:39 PM

Voting Ubuntu -- it was the only distro that recognized most of the hardware I was using. I was astonished when it booted after the install with sound with no help from me.

I'm starting to get back into this side of computing, again, but doing it from the Debian (Mac OS X 10.5) side. Compiling apps on that thing is fun fun fun...!

Anyone have any experience with jackd/icecast/oddcast?

Torrere · 11-14-2007, 09:12 PM

Ubuntu.

I've heard that PCLinux OS is also good, but I haven't used it and Ubuntu is simply spectacular.

busterb · 11-15-2007, 01:38 PM

Ok. I see 2 versions of most. 1 is for AMD 64 and other is i386. I have an AMD 64x2, but a xp 32 bit system. Which do I need to spend days to download by bit torrent?? Or maybe less ymmv

Undertoad · 11-15-2007, 07:10 PM

The thing is, bb, Linux replaces your XP 32 bit system.

busterb · 11-16-2007, 10:13 AM

Thanks cool

11-01-2007, 11:53 PM	#1
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	Best Linux? Which flavor of Linux is "best"? I have a copy of Mandrake Linux V 9 but that's been cancelled or something. Now it's something else but I forget what. What about Red Hat? Ubuntu? something else? I have a new HP dv9417cl and it ame with WinBlows Vista Home Premium and I want it GONE! Linux is going on but I want recommendations for a newbie. I want the KDE interface to make things familiar to me and it needs a source of drivers so I can make all my extras work (webcam, wireless card etc) Any hints? __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous

11-11-2007, 12:31 AM	#4
wolfd Disorderly Disciplinarian Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 21	Try PCLinux OS AKA - PCLOS. It's easier to use than Ubuntu and looks better too. http://www.thepcspy.com/articles/lin...los_2007_final

11-11-2007, 10:40 AM	#7
richlevy King Of Wishful Thinking Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Philadelphia Suburbs Posts: 6,669	I just upgraded to Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon). Unlike the previous version, this had plug-and-play printer support for the HP printer. I also had an much easier time installing a wi-fi card. These are two big tests for any Linux distro. __________________ Exercise your rights and remember your obligations - VOTE! I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting. -- Barack Hussein Obama

11-11-2007, 08:01 PM	#8
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	OK, Mandriva is too hard. I'll try Wolfd's link next, as soon as I get a HS connection. __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous

11-11-2007, 08:38 PM	#9
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	Interesting , what are the hard ware requirements ?? __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

11-02-2007, 12:44 AM	#2
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	I use KDE on RH with the latest Fedoras. But there has been some work involved getting it to work exactly right. Ubuntu is Gnome-oriented but there is a KDE Ubuntu - Kubuntu. In the end, they are all extremely similar under the hood. It's not like one's Chevy and one's Hyundai. This is more like two Toyota Land Cruisers, one in blue with a roof rack, the other in red with a tow hitch.

11-10-2007, 11:04 PM	#3
laebedahs Abecedarian Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 172	I run Gentoo on a server I built 2 years ago - easy to keep up to date, and very powerful; also very easy to install programs. Some might say a downside is all programs are built from source. Recently a livecd has been created (last year?), and more recently a GUI installer. But if you want something you can just install and go with, Kubuntu. Or you can get a modified version of Mac OS that'll run on Intel/AMD hardware.

11-11-2007, 08:28 AM	#5
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Easier to use... I wouldn't present that first screen to a newb under any circumstances. On the other hand it does use KDE

11-12-2007, 01:38 AM	#10
Radar Constitutional Scholar Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 4,006	Ubuntu is by far the best and easiest to use. It has a very small footprint (comes on 1 cd), looks great, works great, comes in pretty much every known language, etc. After that, my next choice would probably be fedora (Redhat), or Debian. __________________ "I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death." - George Carlin

11-12-2007, 03:39 PM	#11
Kitsune still eats dirt Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 3,031	Voting Ubuntu -- it was the only distro that recognized most of the hardware I was using. I was astonished when it booted after the install with sound with no help from me. I'm starting to get back into this side of computing, again, but doing it from the Debian (Mac OS X 10.5) side. Compiling apps on that thing is fun fun fun...! Anyone have any experience with jackd/icecast/oddcast?

11-14-2007, 09:12 PM	#12
Torrere a real smartass Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 1,121	Ubuntu. I've heard that PCLinux OS is also good, but I haven't used it and Ubuntu is simply spectacular.

11-15-2007, 01:38 PM	#13
busterb NSABFD Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: MS. usa Posts: 3,908	Ok. I see 2 versions of most. 1 is for AMD 64 and other is i386. I have an AMD 64x2, but a xp 32 bit system. Which do I need to spend days to download by bit torrent?? Or maybe less ymmv __________________ I've haven't left very deep footprints in the sands of time. But, boy I've left a bunch.

11-15-2007, 07:10 PM	#14
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	The thing is, bb, Linux replaces your XP 32 bit system.

11-16-2007, 10:13 AM	#15
busterb NSABFD Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: MS. usa Posts: 3,908	Thanks cool __________________ I've haven't left very deep footprints in the sands of time. But, boy I've left a bunch.

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