Which linux.... here you go!

[Twista]

The answer is, there's no real answer, it's all personal preference. Many choose RedHat because that's all they're familiar with, but in actuality, there are a lot more choices which are probably better suited to them. Here's a quick rundown of the more common versions:

RedHat - Generically the most well known Linux. Has the most application support, and commercial support. Fairly simple install process for the beginner, based around KDE. RedHat pretty much requires that you run X on your system, and isn't very configurable without doing the same things you'd have to in the other linuxes, despite their claims to be more user friendly, however, this also helps the novice user not screw up configurations. Generally referred to as one of the best learning distributions.

Mandrake - RedHat, with a twist. It's basically RedHat with a few extra applications, some functionality upgrades in the built in tools, and some stability issues resolved. (please note, a linux stability issue is something that will make you have to reboot every week or two instead of every 6 months). This would be one of my personal recommendations for those new to linux, and not very familiar with computers in general, who wishes to learn linux.

Slackware - One of the oldest, if not the oldest, Linux distributions out there, Slackware is still considered king by those who run it. It has both KDE and GTK, and can be configured to use any mix of the two. A lot of the configurations must be done by hand, instead of with X interfaces, but this can be considered a good thing for expanding into other Unixes, and gaining general "how do i fix it when X doesn't work" knowledge. Does not require X, but will run it very happily. A recommendation for those new to linux, but quite familiar with computers in general.

Debian - The distribution which is gaining popularity the fastest. Has a fairly intuitive install process, and a few very nice tools (such as the infamous apt, which will update all your system across the internet, keeping you current and security-hole free at all times). Will run happily with KDE or GTK/Gnome, but is more suited for GTK/Gnome. Overall, a wonderful choice for headless servers, as you can set up a script that will keep them updated and patched and not have to worry about intruders quite so much as with the other distributions. Offers commercial support. A good choice for intermediate level linux users.

If there are any more questions about the above, or anyone wants to add something about other distributions which I havent' detailed, feel free, I just thought I'd help people make the decision between the top 4 distributions. And, for the record, I use debian on servers, and slackware on my workstations

ty someone

 

[cleverhandle]

Originally posted by: Twista
The answer is, there's no real answer, it's all personal preference. Many choose RedHat because that's all they're familiar with, but in actuality, there are a lot more choices which are probably better suited to them.

True. Nearly the last thing that is...

Here's a quick rundown of the more common versions:

RedHat - Generically the most well known Linux. Has the most application support, and commercial support. Fairly simple install process for the beginner, based around KDE.

No, it's based on GTK/GNOME. RedHat is not known for good KDE support.

RedHat pretty much requires that you run X on your system,

Almost every redhat-config-* tool will detect whether or not $DISPLAY is set, and choose text or graphical mode appropriately. Very little config tool functionality is available only through X.

and isn't very configurable without doing the same things you'd have to in the other linuxes, despite their claims to be more user friendly, however, this also helps the novice user not screw up configurations.

I have no idea what this section means.

Generally referred to as one of the best learning distributions.

Maybe. Depends on whom you ask.

Mandrake - RedHat, with a twist. It's basically RedHat with a few extra applications, some functionality upgrades in the built in tools, and some stability issues resolved. (please note, a linux stability issue is something that will make you have to reboot every week or two instead of every 6 months).

I would not consider Mandrake more stable than RedHat. Both have had their ups and downs, but if anything, Mandrake has had more issues in recent releases - 9.0 especially.

This would be one of my personal recommendations for those new to linux, and not very familiar with computers in general, who wishes to learn linux.

It's nice to see an opinion stated as such, rather than passed off as a fact.

Slackware - One of the oldest, if not the oldest, Linux distributions out there, Slackware is still considered king by those who run it. It has both KDE and GTK, and can be configured to use any mix of the two.

As can any other distro. Slackware does nothing at all special in this regard.

A lot of the configurations must be done by hand, instead of with X interfaces, but this can be considered a good thing for expanding into other Unixes, and gaining general "how do i fix it when X doesn't work" knowledge. Does not require X, but will run it very happily.

True.

A recommendation for those new to linux, but quite familiar with computers in general.

I don't think many people would agree with that. Slackware is great for people who have a minimal handle on Linux and want to learn the nuts and bolts. I would not recommend it in any way to a knowledgeable Windows user for their first Linux install.

Debian - The distribution which is gaining popularity the fastest.

Statistics?

Has a fairly intuitive install process,

Most people disagree with this. I think the difficulty is overrated, but nonetheless that's the general opinion.

and a few very nice tools (such as the infamous apt, which will update all your system across the internet, keeping you current and security-hole free at all times).

Depends on what you update against. You definitely need to understand the release structure and how it may or may not work for you.

Will run happily with KDE or GTK/Gnome, but is more suited for GTK/Gnome.

Ridiculous. What possible justification do you hope to provide for this?

Overall, a wonderful choice for headless servers, as you can set up a script that will keep them updated and patched and not have to worry about intruders quite so much as with the other distributions.

As can almost any other distro if you want to.

Offers commercial support.

WTH are you smoking? Debian is the only major non-commercial distribution. Do other companies offer support for it? Sure. But that can be said of any distro.

A good choice for intermediate level linux users.

Debian is where most long-time Linux users end up (for personal machines, at least), not something they pass through. There are exceptions, naturally. But a poll of this forum will confirm the general trend.

 

[Twista]

heh was taken from a linux forum. I notice alot of people asking which is good for new users.......anyways

 

[Buddha Bart]

thanks clever, saved me a lot of typing.

 

[DOSfan]

Okay, since you asked:

How easy is it to run Windows software under Linux now? Last I paid attention (about 2-3 years ago), it was WINE and that was pretty "hit-or-miss, trial-and-error" stuff.

I decided that putting up with Windows... um.... "quirks" was easier than getting WINE to work with the game I wanted to play.

Frankly, that was the only reason I "left" Linux.

So how is it now? Still pretty much the same?

 

[drag]

I donno. Check out WineX. If the games you like are 4/5 stars, go for it. If they are 3 stars, it's iffy, but probably playable. If it's less then that, forget about it.

It's easy to install nowadays. They have a Point2Play thing that will download and install different versions of winex automaticly.

Also check out if they have a linux version for the games you play. There are a few popular titles that have been ported.

Productivity suits like OpenOffice and apps for Gnome/KDE like abiword or Gnumeric are on par with anything MS has, if you heavily dependent on that sort of thing. Plus they are about 80-95% compatable with all the features and formats. (depending on the program)

If you use Outlook a lot, check out Evolution. (It's better because it's virus free) That's part of Ximian's desktop.

Other then that. Just dual boot win98se if your a hardcore gamer. Then use linux for everything else. So when win98 takes a dump, then you can simply reinstall it. If you figure out how to use Grub, it is capable of tricking the windows installer/OS so that it thinks any partition you want is the first partition so that it won't ruin your MBR.

 

[Nothinman]

How easy is it to run Windows software under Linux now?

Wine will never be a Windows replacement, Windows is too much of a moving target with a huge head start. You should be trying to find native Linux replacements, not trying to run your windows apps in Linux.

Frankly I usually find the Linux versions of apps to be the same or better and always easier to debug and fix.

 

[Jennie]

Swaret is now part of the Slackware distro, it is the equivalent of apt for debian.

 

[drag]

Swaret? Cool.

 

[ITJunkie]

Thanks Twista for putting this together and Thanks Clever for clarifying it.:beer:

 

[DOSfan]

Thanks for your input drag, but I am primarily a PC gamer. Dual booting would even be a waste of time. 🙁 I spend most of my time on my computer playing games, or net-surfing. And that is about a 3 to one ratio at best.

And I am well aware of Linux's apps. I very much prefer then to Windows stuff. But again, my need for them is limited.

All *nix needs to do is get the computer game support, and Windows would be blown out of the water by my estimate. Seems about anyone I know would jump ship if *nix would just have the software support.

Well that is enough rambling for now, thanks again. 🙂

 

[xSauronx]

linux has et client
et is crack
i only use windows when im too lazy or impatient to reboot (wife refuses to try linux, gah to narrowmindedness!!)