Favorite/Best/Coolest Linux distro?

[GreenBeret]

What are ya'll's favorites? I'm looking to get into this jibberish soon.

 

[bobtist]

I was a l33t l1ñµ× user for a while. Mandrake is all that I tried, though. Unneccesary for me.

 

[Rendus]

Here are my recommendations:

If you want to learn the ins and outs of EVERYTHING, try Slack. Very few precompiled packages, but very sane filesystem layout. Absolutley no handholding here after install. In my opinion the best overall distribution, it just seems to make sense more than any of the others.

If you want to learn how to use Linux, but don't want to deal with compiling your software and such, Debian is the way to go. Precompiled packages for nearly EVERYTHING, but no handholding.

If you just want to use the OS, and don't want to deal with the details, Mandrake is the distribution for you. Easy install process, decent filesystem layout, can use RedHat packages (important if you don't like compiling ), very easy to use.

Personally, I dislike RedHat (I call it RootHat), so I won't comment on it.

TurboLinux was interesting, but I never really played with it.

Caldera is pretty worthless, don't waste your time.

Personally, I say go with Slack, and if Slack doesn't do it for you, try Mandrake.

 

[Soybomb]

I think if you're a new user slackware is going to be painful, I think new users need some handholding or its no fun. Look at SuSe and Redhat/mandrake.

 

[Yzzim]

SuSE is nice, but the trial sucks and runs almost everything off the CD

 

[atom]

I say learn it right the first time, and there will be less hassles in the long run re-learning things. I started with Slack 3.6 and things were very slow going. But after I got X running the first time after days of trying to configure it, I actually felt like I accomplished and learned something.

I use Storm Linux now (basically Debian with a few nice extras I like). I would suggest it if you are into testing out different software you find. Other than that, I like Slack a whole lot. I'll probably get to reloading that along side with Storm when I get the time.

 

[Pyxis]

My favorite is Mandrake. For me it was the easiest to install and very easy to use.

 

[GL]

Toss up between Slackware and SuSE. I have to say that SuSE seems to be leapfrogging Slackware in several key areas (read: package management...I find that necessary!). It's not surprising given SuSE's roots in Slackware. But Slackware is so straightforward and actually _easier_ in my eyes than SuSE in several areas - i.e. the boot process and initializing different run levels.

yzzzim
Which trial did you download? There is a "live" version and an "evaluation" version. Download the "evaluation" version (can't remember the exact name but it *doesn't* have the word live in it). I have that installed and it doesn't require the CD to run anything.

-GL

 

[ZeroCool420]

I used Corel Linux for a little bit. It's not bad, easy to set up. Prolly not for the power user though.

 

[convex]

slack is swank...seriously though, slackware gives you alot of flexibility and hands on linux learn'in

 

[TuffGuy]

mandrake and slack

 

[NFS4]

<< Favorite/Best/Coolest Linux distro? >>


Windows 2000 Professional

 

[perry]

I've been using RedHat on and off since 4.x days.. It is gettin just a bit too pretty for my tastes, but I still like it. I know my way around and where it likes to keep files and what utils it comes with, etc. I just stick to it out of habit.

Slack is very hard for the Linux newbie to install.

Turbo is pretty cool, I installed it once because I was bored.

 

[burnedout]

I prefer Mandrake for a quick, easy install.

Still like Redhat the best, even though it can be a bit finicky at times with some of the modules.

 

[GreenBeret]

ttt

Thanks for all the comments so far.