Linux Distribution?

NaOH

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Mar 2, 2006
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I want to install a secondary OS on my computer and was thinking about linux. But I have no idea which distrubition is best. I downloaded this free one once but it was crap. I was able to work with it and learned a thing or two, I just need help picking one with good compatibility. Thanks
 

hans030390

Diamond Member
Feb 3, 2005
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I like Gentoo linux. It's a bit difficult to install, so I'd recommend trying Kororaa or VidaLinux (very easy to install).

I like it because of portage. Portage is an easy way to get almost any software downloaded and installed on your computer (from an online database/scripts on your comp thing) just by typing a few commands.

Gentoo also has the largest user base, so its easy to find help.

Oh, btw, Kororaa and VidaLinux are based off of Gentoo.
 

NaOH

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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Look at all the penguins in here haha. I read that unbuntu has a software downloading thing too. They all seem the same to me.
 

NaOH

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Mar 2, 2006
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I'm going to try out ubunto first on my laptop (needs a new OS anyways since my friend decided it was a better idea to install a faux copy of windows then to use my ORIGINAL cd). Probably just going to run linux off of it for awhile.
 

NaOH

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Mar 2, 2006
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What is the software that makes it so your windows in ubuntu can be organized like a mac
 

xtknight

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Oct 15, 2004
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Originally posted by: AMDUALY
What is the software that makes it so your windows in ubuntu can be organized like a mac

I think you're speaking of XGL/Compiz. Mac OS X effects and stuff?
 

Nothinman

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Sep 14, 2001
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I like it because of portage. Portage is an easy way to get almost any software downloaded and installed on your computer (from an online database/scripts on your comp thing) just by typing a few commands.

That applys to just about any distro these days and Debian and Ubuntu both have much more software available.

Gentoo also has the largest user base, so its easy to find help.

I'd love to know where you got those numbers from.
 

NaOH

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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Originally posted by: xtknight
Originally posted by: AMDUALY
What is the software that makes it so your windows in ubuntu can be organized like a mac

I think you're speaking of XGL/Compiz. Mac OS X effects and stuff?

Yes sir.
 

drag

Elite Member
Jul 4, 2002
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Different Distros are like different food dishes.

It's like asking which is the best spegatti.. Alfredo, Meat sauce, tomato paste, naked, beer sauce, swedish meat balls, etc etc.

It's a matter of taste, community, purpose, and personality.

If you want something that just works, your a technically adapt person who doesn't mind slightly old software and doesn't want to have to deal with a lot of upgrades you'd probably want to look at Debian Stable.

If you want something that is bleeding edge were you can play around with installing different software then Gentoo. I mean the 'gcc screensaver' they have is pretty neat, kinda like the matrix if you make the font green and the background black.

Ubuntu is a up to date distro with polished interface and a few rough edges. Lots of wikis, lots of software. It's a newbie friendly thing.

Suse has it's Yast. Redhat has it's commercial support. Fedora Core 5 is actually suppose to be pretty kick-ass.

All of them have round about the same kernels. They can run the same software. The default installs are different. The level and type of support is different. What one can do others can do also.

Most people will try out a few distros before settling on one or two that they prefer and then they just stick with that until the next big thing comes along.

I suggest trying out Ubuntu initially then taking a look at other distros when you get comfortable with how things work.
 

SleepWalkerX

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
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Originally posted by: AMDUALY
Originally posted by: xtknight
Originally posted by: AMDUALY
What is the software that makes it so your windows in ubuntu can be organized like a mac

I think you're speaking of XGL/Compiz. Mac OS X effects and stuff?

Yes sir.

Oh ok. I'd recommend Suse because XGL/Compiz is easier to setup in Suse than Ubuntu imho. With Suse, you have to install XGL/Compiz, setup 3d acceleration, then hit a button to enable it. With Ubuntu, you install XGL/Compiz, enable 3d acceleration, and have to do a lot of editing. There are good tutorials out there, but its just simpler to get it up and running in Suse.
 

NaOH

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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Originally posted by: drag
Different Distros are like different food dishes.

It's like asking which is the best spegatti.. Alfredo, Meat sauce, tomato paste, naked, beer sauce, swedish meat balls, etc etc.

It's a matter of taste, community, purpose, and personality.

If you want something that just works, your a technically adapt person who doesn't mind slightly old software and doesn't want to have to deal with a lot of upgrades you'd probably want to look at Debian Stable.

If you want something that is bleeding edge were you can play around with installing different software then Gentoo. I mean the 'gcc screensaver' they have is pretty neat, kinda like the matrix if you make the font green and the background black.

Ubuntu is a up to date distro with polished interface and a few rough edges. Lots of wikis, lots of software. It's a newbie friendly thing.

Suse has it's Yast. Redhat has it's commercial support. Fedora Core 5 is actually suppose to be pretty kick-ass.

All of them have round about the same kernels. They can run the same software. The default installs are different. The level and type of support is different. What one can do others can do also.

Most people will try out a few distros before settling on one or two that they prefer and then they just stick with that until the next big thing comes along.

I suggest trying out Ubuntu initially then taking a look at other distros when you get comfortable with how things work.


Thanks for the explaination. I tried ubuntu last night and am pleased with it. It has everything I would need to do in windows, except games and photoshop. I am trying to get compiz on it and have been reading up a few guides.
 

Robor

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: AMDUALY
Thanks for the explaination. I tried ubuntu last night and am pleased with it. It has everything I would need to do in windows, except games and photoshop. I am trying to get compiz on it and have been reading up a few guides.

I've been using Ubuntu for a while now and find it's pretty solid. Open Office isn't quite up to everything created in Microsoft Office and I'm a bit tired of kernel updates breaking my wireless card (still not working but haven't bothered with it in a fw weeks).

As far as XGL/Compiz - good luck there. ;) I did manage to get it working but it was *VERY* slow, buggy, and unstable for me. It took me a while to get my system back to 'normal' after switching to XGL also.