Ubuntu 8.1 vs Mint 5 vs...

So I'm gonna soon upgrade to the newer version of Linux but need some opinions.
What do you guys think? The title says it all...

Thanks in advance guys.

 

It's not Ubuntu 8.1
That 0 makes a difference.
Like this:
8 - Year
10 - Month

Many people like how easy Mint is, and some don't.
I suggest trying the Live CDs of a few distros(Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Mint, Mandirva, Open SuSE).
My Ubuntu Guide is going to be completely revamped soon(give me a week or so), so if you'd like to wait on that, then well, do it

 

I guess a lot of people have problems with 8.10 on hp laptops, while I luckily had none. It'd be a less (or no) headache to go with Mint 5.

 

I had Mint and I think it was good. Just wondering if the new Ubuntu would make any difference.

 

I'm not trying to be a shill, but now you can safely add MEPIS 8 Beta* to those recommended lists as they upgraded to latest kernels and new hardware in lappy's is now supported. FYI.

 

I was planning to go with Kubuntu on my laptop but I decided to give the new version of Mint a try.

Think I'm gonna keep it. Mint has spoiled me even if it does get away from some of the principles of Ubuntu and other distros.

Oh and Thomas, good to hear you're updating your guide. I have learned so much about Linux just from doing a lot of lurking here and reading your threads Thanks so much.

 

Looks interesting, how is it compared to Mint?

 

Pardon my ignorance, but what principles do you mean?

 

I, personally don't like MEPIS, at all, I've tried it and do not recommend it.
I think Mint, Ubuntu, OpenSuSE, etc are the best a newbie could try.

Plus, they charge for the source code.
I have no problem with propriety software, or opensource software, but choose one or the other.....

 

You tried MEPIS 8 beta 4? What didn't you like? It's basically just Debian with an easy install and some conveniences worked in ala Mint....just curious...your hardware had problems?

 

Not really, just didn't like it, at all. I think Ubuntu is better..by far.

 

Problem with *buntu's is that 6 month release cycle....they'll push it out come hell or high water and that left me with a hosed Kubuntu Bluetooth which I use all day every day...hope they fix it soon, but it may not matter anyway. For the newbies, I DO recommend it.

Ahh.....MEPIS is KDE....if you're a Gnome gnome, you won't like it.

 

Arch!

(10)

 

The typical Linux newbie might fail when trying to get the X Server running - there are no additional autoconfig tools except for the intentionally basic "hwd" and a few scripts. This can be especially much fun if you try to install a proprietary driver.

However, it is fine if you have already gained some experience and don't fear neither the console nor configuration files. There are many Archers who had Ubuntu as their starter drug...myself included

 

nvidia users have it easy

nvidia-xconfig

 

This tool didn't exactly provide an OOTB experience when I tried configuring a Geforce 2 MX (needs the nvidia-96xx driver) with it - I might have had bad luck. Some manual fine-tuning did the trick...