2 Questions. (One about Mandriva, and one about choosing distros)

Hello,

I have 2 questions about Linux distros...

The most simple question is, is Mandriva, like Ubuntu a derivative of Debian code?

I'm trying to find a good non-Debian based Linux distro, and I narrowed it down to OpenSUSE, Mandriva (If it's not debian based), or Fedora.
I used Mandriva before, didn't really find anything different...

What are the advantages and disadvantage when OpenSUSE, Mandriva and Fedora are compared to each other?

 

No, Mandriva is not based off of the debian package base nor does it use debian's package system(they share code, due to using largely the same utilities, as all distributions do)

I find OpenSUSE is the most professional, easiest, and most stable out of the three. Fedora is rather bleeding edge and only includes free and opensource software by default(flash, java, mp3 take a bit of work). I find Mandriva a nice system but buggy, and with atrocious package management. I don't recommend it.

 

thanks for the help. i tried fedora and was just gonna ask about how to install flash lol.

i will try OpenSUSE now.
Do you recommend Xandros by any chance?

 

No, Xandros hasn't been updated in YEARS, it's actively maintained....we think, no one really knows, there hasn't been anew release in several years, and their are much ebtter, free alternatives.

 

OK, Thanks for the advice, I'll just probably stick to OpenSUSE.
If I don't like it, I'll revert back to Ubuntu 10.04.

I had couple problems with Ubuntu 10.04 though, Ubuntu had very bad performance with Flash, like with 1080P YouTube videos. In Windows, I can play like 12 tabs of videos without problem or stuttering, but in Ubuntu, it's a slide show.

And sometimes, Ubuntu, it doesn't do a complete boot, the HDD indicator runs for some time, then stops. I just see a blinking grey cursor. Sometimes, the desktop loads up, but the menu/task bar doesn't shot, neither the shortcuts on the desktop. Only the cursor, and background. Sometimes, it boots completely.

I'm installing this on my desktop which has a Phenom II X6, 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM, and ATI 4890 card.

 

I have to agree here. OpenSUSE is getting a lot of rep from a lot of professionals and rightly so.

With Fedora, release 13 is said to be too much of an experimental OS that stability and compatibility to certain programs are compromised. ( I always thought OpenSUSE, Fedora, Debian, and Slackware as the most stable ones, Archie is of rolling type so I consider it 'different')

By the way, Mandriva which used to be Mandrake, is rpm based. So it's way different than Ubuntu, other than what Thomas already mentioned.

 

I wouldn't say flash performance is Ubuntu's fault, flash isn't the best on linux(blame adobe).
As for not booting, it seems like a borked install.

I wouldn't say way different, they use the same software except the package manager.

 

I reinstalled it did the same thing.
It took me around 2-3 times to boot it up.

I tried to update the software using the GUI tool, it downloaded all of it, then the theme changed, there was a stuck window...

I'm going to reinstall and try to update using command line.

 

OpenSUSE for sure. Add the packman repo and check their how-to's over there on the forums to get full multimedia up. You have replace some packages as well as add some, but It's easy. OpenSUSE if very hard to break....they are also involved in KDE development heavily if you like KDE. If not, their Gnome release is awesome as well.

I don't really like Fedora anymore after that slipshod LXDE release recently...if they don't have time, then too bad....stick with gnome if you use Fedora...but that company is mainly focused on RHEL. Just my opinion, but I still rank Ubuntu/OpenSUSE/Fedora (Mint/Peppermint incl w/ Ubuntu) as the best out there for serious use.

 

I have been using Linux for about 12 years. Started of with Slakware, went to Red Hat, jumped to Mandrake when KDE first appeared in order to try it. After a while I moved to SuSE (that is how it was spelled back then). I spent a while with SuSE and was rather happy with them until Novell's CEO went ahead and made a deal with Microsoft that made me fell dirty when using anything from that company. (SUSE is essentially managed by Novell.)

I then went on to try a few other distros, like Ubuntu, Mint, Vector Linux, SimplyMEPIS, and a few others. However, when I tried PCLinuxOS I found a home. It is no wonder that it has received the affectionate title "the distro hopper stopper". I heartily recommend it. Here is review for you to consider:

The Linux Experience: PCLinuxOS 2010 Review

PS: No, I am not the author of that review.

 

PCLinuxOS looks interesting. I think I'm going to try it out.

looks like they need some mirrors. I may have to torrent it.

 

That's a good crew over there...I neglected to mention them.

 

Wow, hold on, why would you install Linux on such a machine?

 

Because GNU/Linux operating systems tend to be high quality, fast, full featured, and more stable than Windows, especially Ubuntu.

 

i just wanted to experience an os with differnet UI thats all haha

 

Which is why I use it for legacy hardware.

For a hexcore processor and such a graphics card, he'd either 3D modelling, gaming or video editing.

For the first option, AutoCAD and 3D Max generally only run on Windows. Sure, there are Linux .dwg editors, but AutoCAD is an industry standard; I wouldn't compromise my business with substandard alternatives.

For photo-editing, a combination of GIMP, Paint.Net and Inkscape can very well superseed the pricey Adobe Money-loving Suite and ZaraX, but for video editing, your choices are likewise restricted.

I'm not arguing that Linux is bad, I'm quite the fan myself. I'm just saying, if I were to run a Linux, I'd either run it on a really cheap machine, or a really expensive one, not an enthusiast desktop.

Anyway, if you want to "try out" a different OS, Linux Mint is always my first recommendation. The LTS version just came out, and it has a larger community, may help when you start getting into problems.

By no means am I suggesting you stick with Mint, once you're comfortable, Slackware!

 

On the other hand, with such a beast he will be able to set up a Windows Virtual machine for his Windows only apps and not really notice much of a performance penalty.

 

Oo come on. Enough with this fanboyism. Use what ever works best should be the way to go. If OpenSUSE works the best for what ever he wants to do, then go for it. All the OSes are very mature already, you cannot go wrong with what ever you want to use. You can make Windows Linux OS X etc works really well, the question is does your main program runs well on them? If so, install it on the best machine you want. Maybe you can install it on an old machine and it will run, but if you put it on a new powerful machine it will run faster. Isn't that what you want for your main program?

 

dual boot for the games and crap...all other stable and blazingly fast in linux...nuff said....LOL

 

and don't forget security.

 

yep....I forgot that...that's huge....

 

A lot of people have stable and secure Windows system. Just like Linux you just have to know what you're doing.

 

Yes....I'm not going to get too high and mighty, I only have Win 7 x64 on my Precision m6500........

 

yep, u guys are right. i do 3d animation via 3dsmax, maya. do image editing, desgining on fireworks and make websites via dreamweaver, and sometiems use flash as well. I also play games.

I only tried to use linux because of differnet UI, since OS X isnt... er... compatbile ;-) on my mobo without heavy tweaking and much of DSDT Table + Kext bs.

Ubuntu doesnt work well period with my setup. OpenSUSE though seems to be working a lot better than Ubuntu.

 

You have to be kidding. How can you compare the two? Don't get me wrong, I have used Windows at work and in fact supporting it is part of how I earn my living. I have used Windows for years without getting a virus because I know what to avoid. But in Linux I have no worries. I mean just looking at the vulnerabilities made public this week should be enough to convince any one that Linux is far superior to Windows in terms of security:

.lnk vulnerability: Microsoft fix causes icon chaos - The H Security: News and Features


Slashdot IT Story | Malware Targets Shortcut Flaw In Windows, SCADA

But any way, we are getting off topic here.

 

What's wrong with what I said? You said it yourself, you have been able to avoid viruses, and that's pretty much what I said. Who cares how hard easy etc. The point is you can make both OSes secure and stable. All other claims are exaggeration from fanboys. And there are tools you can use in Windows like sandboxy to keep your browsing safe. See? It's possible. You just didn't know about it.

You can also dig up Linux security vulnerability if you look carefully. In fact, I'm wondering whether your linux system is secure now that it seems like you just install your machine and never bother to check for the security.

You need to put effort on both OSes. There's no other way around.

 

I give up. If you can't see the difference between Linux and Windows security record, especially in view of the current widespread vulnerabilities, I won't waste my time trying to make you see it. I am satisfied that my family, my friends, and most everyone are much better off security wise running Linux. Enjoy la vida Windows (iconless) if you want to.

 

80% of security is not being stupid. The OS doesn't matter. Yes, linux by design is more secure than Windows on every count, but if you aren't stupid you can avoid security issues on both.

 

Consequently, 20% of computers will be infected with a virus : )
A figure commonly expounded when I was a wee little chap studying computer security.

Besides, I thought the UAC was a pretty effective way to block many intrusion attempts. Too bad I turned it off.

Didn't UAC remind you of Sudo?

 

It does in fact remind you of gksu or kdesu, however both of these are FAR more usable.

 

An Ubuntu Tablet? How's that working out for you?
Does it have multitouch and the like, hows hardware compatibility?

Seems pretty awesome if it works

Ahh, but for me, I use my forehead to press the Enter key, so all are equally unusable

 

ROFL, nice

As for the tablet it doesn't have multitouch(though ubuntu supports, the tablet just doesnt have it). It work great, 95% works out of the box, just took about a minute to setup screen rotation, I've got it so it automatically rotates depending on how I happen to be holding the tablet.

All of my machines run Ubuntu 10.04 now, no dualboots and such.

 

I finally got a chance to try this out and wow I can see why people like it. It is very polished, the devs must of spent a lot of time just on the look and use of it. One of the best looking distros I've seen. Its actually one of the few distros where I like the KDE version better than gnome.
That being said, Im not ready to give up Mint9 just yet.

 

It's nice...but for me it's hard to give up Apt.

 

PCLinuxOS has apt and Synaptic. But, I think you know that. So, I am not sure what you mean.

 

Glad you liked it. It takes a while to appreciate some of the more important advantages of PCLinuxOS. For a home/family computer the fact that it is a rolling release makes it very convenient. It is always up to date and you only have to do a fresh install every three years or so. Take some time to explore the Control Center too. And well, over time, you will realize that PCLinuxOS has the best packagers in the world. (At least in my experience.)

 

I've been using PCLinuxOS for about 2 weeks and I am very happy with it. I have older hardware (Athlon XP 3000+, nForce2, 9600XT, 512MB), so it's not exactly "snappy" but it is stable. I tried both KDE and Gnome and was surprised to find that I liked the KDE version better.

 

Apt for Rpm...yes. with the debian underpinnings....mistyped. But nevertheless, I could go for PCLOS. I have in the past

 

I have found the quality deteriorating as of late...

 

what do you mean by Rolling Release?

 

You never have to upgrade to a new release, when you update your system with updates you have the latest release.

 

The quality of what, PCLinuxOS or apt for rpm? I see no such thing in either case.

 

APT for RPM has been unmaintained for years.

And I meant PCLinuxOS. I actually liked the 2007 release.

 

Actually it is being maintained. This are the words from Tex himself:

I see only improvements since then. Are you saying that because you preferred KDE 3.x over 4.x?

 

Why is the website and SVN inactive then?

And no, I prefer KDE 4.

 

I guess they are being lazy. My guess is that Fedora has taken it upon themselves to maintain it, but are not officially assuming the title.

So, what is it that you see as a drop in quality then?

 

Why the hell would fedora maintain it? Maybe a package in their repo but nothing more. Fedora uses yum and has no plans of switching.

It just feels a lot less professional and it feel like a hobby project. Ubuntu just far surpasses it.

 

I guess you should ask them.

That is a very subjective judgment. When using Ubuntu I feel a lot more constrained. It feels like a distro for children.

 

Whoops, I just dropped my ice cream cone on my keyboard !! lol

 

Want more control? Open up a terminal and learn how to use it. Simple.

Al distributions are fundmaentally the same.

And by the way, Fedora does not maintain apt-rpm.