• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

linux distribution ?

N

ncage

Golden Member
Hi everyone. I finally got a PC just for linux. I took down my media pc...i don't think they are really ready for prime time yet...too many quirks. Anyways im sitting here trying to decide which linux distribution to choose. I know in the past, when i used debian, i had lots of compatability problems, because the packages were so old. Is this still a problem? Also it seems like most software is built around redhat (rpm). I know a lot of different distrubtions have rpm programs to make them compatable but are there still compatability with programs built specifically for redhat. For example, Oracle will only support (i believe) their Database under redhat of course this doesn't mean it won't work under other distrubtions. I guess the reason im asking is i don't want to run in to a bunch of application imcompatabilites if i don't use redhat or to a lesser extent SUSE. I am thinking of either using gentoo or debian. I just don't want to run into a lot of application imcompatabilites. I know im probably going to try out oracle at some time. Also if i go with the 64 bit version (i have an AMD64) am i going to run into application incompatabilites too?

I hate to have to go with Redhat or SUSE. I think Redhat is the windows of linux world 🙂. If i had to go with either one though it would probably be SUSE.

Please Advise,

thanks ncage
 
If you're planning on doing a lot of closed source stuff where you're getting binaries right from the vendor, you might want to be careful. If you're mostly using open source apps, just about every mainstream distro will have them all properly packaged for you.

You could also consider just picking whatever you want and then using virutalization software (ie either vmware or xen) to run whichever particular distro you need for specific software.
 
The things you will notice lacking in 64bit linux are flash and some codecs. There are win32codecs, but no win64codecs. divx/xvid will work fine, but you'll probably have issues with .asf/.wmv. I know it's possible in gentoo to just emerge the 32 bit binary versions of firefox and mplayer alongside the 64 bit versions and then you can use the 32 bit versions to support flash and the extra codecs if you like.
 
And there's an example of that closed source stuff coming to bite you in the ass 😛 You'll get problems every time you leave i386 (unless the vendor specifically supports other architectures).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top