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    Which Linux Distro for a beginner

    Discussion in 'Linux Compatibility and Software' started by UCHacker11, May 23, 2008.

  1. UCHacker11

    UCHacker11 Notebook Consultant

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    Hello,
    I am going to be creating a Linux file server in a few days and don't know which one I should use? I read a guide somewhere that said to use RedHat or SUSE, but are there any others that would be better?
    Also, I will be installing a Linux Distro on my actual desktop as well. Should I just use the same distro or are some better suitable for daily use?
    Note: I am a beginner to Linux with very little experience.
     
    UCHacker11, May 23, 2008
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  2. Thomas

    Thomas McLovin

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    Ubuntu could be perfect for you.
    On the desktop, however, try Linux Mint.
     
    Thomas, May 23, 2008
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  3. Leon

    Leon Notebook Deity

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    I agree. Ubuntu is good and easy to use overall. So is Linux Mint.
     
    Leon, May 23, 2008
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  4. Guitarrasdeamor

    Guitarrasdeamor Notebook Evangelist

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    Ubuntu def. I think it is easy to learn, but can be for intermediate users as well, so it gets better...I think I tried Mint once and it was okay.
     
    Guitarrasdeamor, May 23, 2008
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  5. jisaac

    jisaac Notebook Deity

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    yep ubuntu - the software repository will be the main advantage for beginners, as well as the automatic detection of most system hardware and their drivers.
     
    jisaac, May 23, 2008
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  6. UCHacker11

    UCHacker11 Notebook Consultant

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    ok so ubuntu for both or ubuntu for the server and linux mint for my desktop
     
    UCHacker11, May 23, 2008
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  7. Gintoki

    Gintoki Notebook Prophet

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    I recommend the second config since you're a beginning Ubuntu may be a bit overwhelming but LinuxMint has everything working out of the box.
     
    Gintoki, May 23, 2008
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  8. Algus

    Algus Notebook Deity

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    Ubuntu is pretty easy to get running (it was my first distro) and works well but you may have to tinker with it for a bit. When I first installed it, I had 7.04 and it wouldn't work right (my system kept freezing) until I updated to 7.10. I had to spend awhile playing with the gparter to get my partitions right and everything too.

    If you don't have to worry about a dual boot then it's as easy as putting the LiveCD in and going.
     
    Algus, May 23, 2008
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  9. grok

    grok Notebook Enthusiast

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    Linux Mint for desktop. Works out of the box. Great place to start with Linux. Get Daryna 4.0, as Elyssa, Mint 5, is in beta and buggy.
     
    grok, May 23, 2008
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  10. srunni

    srunni Notebook Deity

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    Ubuntu is the way to go. Linux Mint might be OK, but the Ubuntu community is unbeatable. You can go on ubuntuforums.org, and get almost all of your questions answered.
     
    srunni, May 23, 2008
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  11. prol91

    prol91 Notebook Consultant

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    For a beginner Ubuntu is the best but once get experience then you may switch to debian or even slackware
     
    prol91, May 23, 2008
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  12. wojwoda

    wojwoda GN-003 Gundam Kyrios

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    Ubuntu kills notebook's hard disks :(.

    openSUSE v10.3 GNOME FTW :D
     
    wojwoda, May 24, 2008
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  13. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    It does that on certain laptops, and even then the number of cycles isn't enough to kill the hard drive or damage its performance. Read around a little.
     
    Bog, May 24, 2008
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  14. bmwrob

    bmwrob Notebook Virtuoso

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    I like Suse 10.3, too, but how does Ubuntu kill a disk, notebook or otherwise?
     
    bmwrob, May 24, 2008
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  15. wojwoda

    wojwoda GN-003 Gundam Kyrios

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    wojwoda, May 24, 2008
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  16. jisaac

    jisaac Notebook Deity

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    geez didn't think it was that bad. No way am I installing ubuntu on my coming ssd!
     
    jisaac, May 24, 2008
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  17. bmwrob

    bmwrob Notebook Virtuoso

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    Looks like you're right about there being a problem with Ubuntu and certain disks, wojwoda, but the info in your links is contradictory. Seems that the problem may be as a result of the drive manufacturer's settings rather than an issue with Ubuntu itself, and that the settings can be changed.

    Thanks for enlightening me; I'd never before read about the issue.
     
    bmwrob, May 24, 2008
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  18. Baserk

    Baserk Notebook user

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    Exactly.
    When I had installed Linux for the first time, Mint 4.0, I also experienced the high number of load cycles.
    It was due to the aggressive power management of my HD in combination with EXT3 journaling.
    I posted earlier on it here; link
     
    Baserk, May 24, 2008
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  19. Muelikite_infinity

    Muelikite_infinity Newbie

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    so which distro is recommended for a beginner to learn Linux environment?
     
    Muelikite_infinity, May 24, 2008
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  20. jisaac

    jisaac Notebook Deity

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    just use ubuntu 8.04, linux mint wont be much of a difference since it is just based on ubuntu. I doubt you'll have any problems :)
     
    jisaac, May 24, 2008
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  21. Gintoki

    Gintoki Notebook Prophet

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    Either Ubunt 8.04 or LinuxMint 4.0 will be your best bet. LinuxMint is a lot easier on new users though as it is made to be elegant.
     
    Gintoki, May 24, 2008
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  22. theZoid

    theZoid Notebook Savant

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    One more for Ubuntu 8.04.
     
    theZoid, May 24, 2008
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  23. wojwoda

    wojwoda GN-003 Gundam Kyrios

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    There is more blows for Ubuntu/Debian. The latest news:
    Debian and Ubuntu OpenSSL and OpenSSH Vulnerabilities

    Debian based distributions are plagued with it. Windows and other Linux distributions don't have that problem.

    Ubuntu creators (or how to call them) blame hard disk manufacturers but it's their fault as problem was well know and they didn't fix it for years.
     
    wojwoda, May 24, 2008
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  24. lemur

    lemur Emperor of Lemurs

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    That problem has been fixed already.

    The hard disk problem is real but has been overblown. I've seen posts from people panicking on the basis of misinterpretation of smartctl's output.
     
    lemur, May 24, 2008
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