which distribution of Linux do you use?

I dont know much about linux and want to get into it. Which are the distributions for noobs?

Also, which distribution do you use?

 

My uni uses Linux Mandriva. It is a pretty easy to use distribution and works well on 64bit platforms. A reference book is strongly recommended because you will most likely typing commands in the console most of the time.

 

http://www.kubuntu.org

Great distro, great community support.

 

I too, would like to start using Linux but there seem to be so many good distributions and I realy don't know which one to pick... On the other hand, I still don't completely understand why some people prefer Linux to OSX and Windows XP. What does Linux have to offer that the others don't?

...and could someone explain to me or link me to a tutorial on how to create a dual-boot?

Thanks for the help!

 

well, i have a lot of experience with gentoo and debian.

for new users, i will recommend ubuntu =]

my laptop runs windows though, as i am not willing to
sacrifice functionality just yet. i'll wait till it's possible
to get all hardware working.

 

I use Unbuntu myself.

 

I'm using (at least trying to use) Kubuntu, but nothing seems to work on it. Zazonz, you think you could help?

 

I have Mepis and PCLinuxOS, but don't really understand either of them (I'm a noob to Linux that's used to Windows) The best part about them is you can experiment with them without installing it on your hard drive to see if you like it. It runs as a live CD, and is fully functional (well mostly) as it would be on a hard drive. I also have Linux Puppy which is a Live CD that has a file size of only 60MB, as compared to 600MB or so for Mepis and PCLinuxOS.

 

I run Gentoo. Definately not for n00bs. Well, once you get into a gui, it's fine for anyone, but the install to that point... well, it's a grand time.

 

Get Knoppix. It is a Live CD which means it will run off the CD and you wont have to mess with the installation

 

I'm going to try one of those just for the sake of it, but I still would like to know if there are any benefits to running Linux...

 

If you're planning on a new notebook to run linux on, a Knoppix cd is a very handy way of checking if all the hardware (wifi, sound, gpu, etc) will work before you buy. I'm taking one with me when I go looking at some models this weekend.

 

You can say that again. But it is highly customizable, like building from scratch if you so desire.

I personally use SuSE 10 and Fedora Core 4 (on two different desktops, not my notebook). Cut my teeth on Debian in both Macintosh and x86 flavors. Debian is pretty good I think if you really want to learn Linux. Not too hard, not too easy. It kind of makes you work at it but not so much as to make you throw up your hands in disgust. Plus it's pretty darn stable if you don't go adding weird repositiories to apt.

1. It's stable.
2. Practically virus free.
3. It really forces you learn about your computer in a lot of cases.
4. It's your own little way of "sticking it to the man".
5. The biggest reason - cost of ownership: $0.00

 

I've been experimenting with Ubuntu in the past few days, although I ran into some problems with my new computer because of the new chipsets. I used Mandrake (now called Mandrivia) in the past and it's good as well. However, I have to say that Ubuntu is extremely popular amoung all types of linux users.

 

That is one of the downsides. If you get newer hardware you usually end up having to wait a little while until support gets rolled into a new kernel version. Unless sometimes it's something like a network card and some clever soul manages to cook up a driver for it.

 

I have been using Gentoo for about 2.5 years.

For those afraid of installing gentoo, there is a distro out there called Kororaa. It is a binary based installer for Gentoo Linux.

All major applications are included and within 1-2 hrs you have a fully working GUI gentoo system with custom USB automounting, wireless etc.
Kororaa Linux

 

Hmm...So, I have the choice to chose from:

• Ubuntu
• Debian
• Suse 10
• Fedora Core 4
• Mandrake
• Knoppix

So these are the main ones you guys are using...Which one do you think I should start out with?

Just to make sure, I can have 2 operating systems on one computer right? (Windows and Linux) I think it's called a dual boot, am I correct? If I am could someone please explain to me how I'm supposed to create this "dual boot".

Thanks everyone!

 

I have been using debian for over 10 years now. Have used knoppix, mandrake, ubuntu, Red Hat and many others but always go back to debian.

 

Do you think I should use that to begin with? Or is Ubuntu a better choice for a big n00b like me?

Oh, and can Linux screw up your computer in any way?

 

I would say Ubuntu or slackware is more noob friendly and there is no way Linux can screw up a system. I would ask what kind of graphics card you have as ATI has very little linux support whereas nVidia has great linux support. Debian is a much more advanced linux imho and should be studied greatly before venturing into. I started back in the days of writing your own drivers for hardware so I have a pretty good understanding of how to make things work. One thing should be noted that on occassion of installing linux for a dual boot your HAL(Hardware Absrtaction Layer) for Windows may become corrupt but is easy to fix. If this hapens boot from your win cd and choose repair and then choose repair again and it will fix the HAL for you.

 

Ok, thanks I guess I'll start with Ubuntu. I will be runnig the OS on an ATI X1400, does this pose a problem? Can I run it directly from a CD? And how do I actualy "create" the dual boot?

 

Bad news on the graphics card front, I'm afraid. As yet, the ATI linux drivers don't support any of the X1K GPUs. You'll probably be able to get it running on the vesa drivers, but won't have 2D/3D acceleration.

Ubuntu is also available as a "live CD" which is good for trying out linux without installing. Once you do decide to install, dual booting is simply a matter of repartitioning for the extra OS and installing a boot loader which allows you to select your OS at boot time. These tasks are done during the linux install process.

 

I'm sorry but I don't understand what this means...

 

Yep. I have to use Vesa drivers. They don't pose a problem for me and I doubt I'll be using any serious 3D graphics with Ubuntu. I just got it fully running tonight and everything's going well. I just have to get my network card recognized and working.

 

hexus.net ran a story the other day suggesting ATI was releasing new drivers with X1K support in the next week or so, so 3D may not be that far away for you.

It's been a couple of years since I last tried the ATI drivers, so they can only have gotten better since then. Back then, I could have spent the 4 hours installing, debugging and tweaking doing something really fun... like hitting myself in the head with a hammer.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed though, since I'm in the market for a core duo notebook and most models available in .AU run with ATI X1K GPUs.

Rakien: VESA is the lowest common denominator for graphics. Besides their own routines, every GPU should be able to run using vesa. Problem is, it'll run very slow and 3D gaming/appications will be pretty much unusable.

 

If you were to play a game for linux as some do have patches available you couldn't play it well as the 3d portion is non-existant. As Ted pointed out though ati is working on linux drivers for the X1 line

 

I have Knoppix, Fredora Core 4 and 5, Ubuntu, Auditor, Debian, and Backtrack. I'm starting to like the slaxware of Backtrack. It seems very speedy.

 

I have knoppix, suse, slax and ubuntu . I only have suse installed on the hard drive though.

 

which is the most recent version of knoppix?

 

I believe it is 4.0? That is the one I use. It works pretty well, if I could load it to RAM that would be the ultimate, because running it from CD is kind of clunky.

 

Ubuntu and Mandriva

 

They were released yesterday with x1000 series support (woo-frickin-hoo!). Phoronix has detailed review. I'll be installing on my acer 8204 (x1600) today. I'm hoping for some of that XGL+Compiz goodness, but I'll be happy with native resolution and accelerated 2D.

If your not into compiling and tweaking you might have to wait a bit for your distro have support.

 

Long time Gentoo user.

However now that I am a Kororaa dev, I use Kororaa Linux (which is Gentoo!)

 

Currently using Mandriva, although I'll probably be switching distros once I upgrade my hardware. I'm a firm believer of the "If it ain't broke don't fix it" philosophy.

I tried Ubuntu quite a while back (warthog IIRC) and while it was very promising, it was still a little flaky. I understand it's gotten a lot better since then, and the reviews on 6.06 seem very positive, so I'll be shortlisting that one.

 

i personally dislike KDE, and likfe gNome.
just a personal preference.
still, the best for n00b's is probably Ubuntu. although Fedora Core 5 is good too

 

I have used Ubuntu I agree very easy / friendly. I have also used Fedora (Core 4) and currently using SUSE 10.x. Years ago Mandrake was my distro of choice. Fedor (Red Hat base) and SUSE (Novell now onws them) are more mainsteam coporate and have more support for things I need (Oracle database server) - I did get Oracle database running on Ubuntu it was a pain and I could not get the Oracle IAS server installed thus the move to SUSE.

I have been impressed how easy all recent distributions are to install on at least older harder (my Liniux server is a 3 year old desktop - wired) - I still have Windoze Laptop and Desktops - but will always a Linux Server around - maybe one day soon it will be the other way around (have a Windoze server hanging around with several Linux boxes

 

I use Slackware, Debian, and Ubuntu

 

currently I have Fedora Core 5 installed on a partition and it works well, but I think I'm going to wait until Ubuntu 6.06 is released and check that out before I pass judgement.

 

I am running Debian Sid via Kanotix. Not sure how installing and running linux could get any easier. Djpharoah is really tempting me to try gentoo, though

 

do it do it do it do it do it do it do it



JUST DO IT

 

im trying out fedora core 5 as my very first step into linux..so far its not TOO bad, but im way out of my comfort zone here lol

pb,out.

 

imho fc5 is really bad starting point. try ubuntu, kanotix, knoppix if you want just use it. if you want to learn linux seriously then a variation of slackware
(arch, slax, vector) could be a good starting point.

 

I agree. FC5 is really not a great place to start your journey into linux.

I usually suggest Ubuntu to people who are new to linux. Since it uses apt-get (2nd best package management in linux) you can easily increase your knowledge with sites like ubuntuguide.org, ot the ubuntuforums.

FC5 is also end of line. It is being discontinued. Also it suffers from rpm and dependency hell.

 

what is slackware?

i cant get my wireless to work on FC5, it detects it, but it detects it as a wired connection and i do not know how to change it. i havent tried wired internet yet.

pb,out.

 

I personally am using the Ubuntu 6.06 (Dapper Drake) Beta as I type this. I love it, and find myself spending almost all of my time in Linux. It's a good first distribution for beginners (I tried Mandriva first on my AVERATEC 3270 about 6+ months ago, and nothing worked right. Switched to kubuntu, which was then only at version 5.04, and everything was a snap), is very easy to install and set up, and the Debian package system is very nice for beginners, as everything you'll really need is right there in the repos. And there's still plenty of room to grow as you get better with Linux.

 

If you want to get excited about the next comming Ubuntu 6.06
read this review and the following discussion:
http://www.linuxforums.org/reviews/ubuntu:_a_ramble_through_drake_lake.html

PS: There is already beta 2 available starting from today!

 

Maybe it will help someone to choose:
Linux Distribution Chooser

 

downloading Ubuntu 5.10 right now...is it only one disc?

pb,out.

 

Yes, Ubuntu is only one disc, but you'll need an internet connection (ethernet) during the install to download the remaining packages.

 

cool..thanks for the info.

pb,out.