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    which linux to install

    Discussion in 'Linux Compatibility and Software' started by kuncheesh, Oct 19, 2008.

  1. kuncheesh

    kuncheesh Notebook Evangelist

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    i was thinking of installing linux on my system. i havent decided on which distro to install. i need out of the box support for common media files like movies and songs and also NTFS support. i am real beginner in this area and need your help to choose one. so which version do you recommend and how much hard drive space does it require
     
    kuncheesh, Oct 19, 2008
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  2. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    Linux does not natively support NTFS at all AFAIK. You need 3rd party apps for this.
     
    Hep!, Oct 19, 2008
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  3. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    I think he meant that he wants read/write support for NTFS volumes, not native Linux kernel support, Hep. The required space depends on the distro, but most of them are well under 4GB. Easy versions to start with include Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora Core, and Mandriva. For a complete list of distributions, go to www.distrowatch.com.
     
    Bog, Oct 19, 2008
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  4. jcovelli

    jcovelli Notebook Deity

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    i would go with opensuse or kubuntu

    ... if you're a real beginner opensuse is your best bet. also the new version (11) is very clean, easy to use, and comes with a bunch of good software
     
    jcovelli, Oct 19, 2008
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  5. _radditz_

    _radditz_ Fallen to the Sith...

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    I vote for linux mint for dvd playback out the box

    Personally I was impressed by mandriva so thats good too.
     
    _radditz_, Oct 19, 2008
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  6. kuncheesh

    kuncheesh Notebook Evangelist

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    ok....... thanx for your replies. i just need read/ write capabilities in NTFS. also does opensuse and ubuntu comes with out of the box media support for mp3 files atleast ???
     
    kuncheesh, Oct 20, 2008
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  7. Amranu

    Amranu Notebook Consultant

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    Linux Mint does, though it's not very hard to get it setup in most distros
     
    Amranu, Oct 20, 2008
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  8. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    Most distros do not provide out-of-the-box support for various media codecs due to legal issues, however, in the case of Ubuntu (and all the mainstream distributions), opening such an mp3 file or other proprietary filetype will launch a wizard that will retrieve the codecs and install them automatically. The whole process is quite seamless and isn't a problem in any of the popular distributions because users demand it.
     
    Bog, Oct 20, 2008
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  9. kuncheesh

    kuncheesh Notebook Evangelist

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    i think ubuntu would be great i will wait till i get the 8.1 version (releases in 10 days )
     
    kuncheesh, Oct 20, 2008
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  10. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    Rather than waiting, you can just download the beta and the system packages will updated.
     
    Bog, Oct 20, 2008
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  11. bAsem

    bAsem Notebook Consultant

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    ubuntu or kubuntu depends on how simple u want it

    ubuntu is much more simpler and u can use the add remove application to add the codecs and it reads/wries to ntfs no prob

    i second ubuntu .. but install it via wubi so that u can remove it easier
     
    bAsem, Oct 20, 2008
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  12. roor

    roor Notebook Deity

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    im running ubuntu. its pretty easy. all you need is a day or 2 to get used to it.
     
    roor, Oct 20, 2008
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  13. wojwoda

    wojwoda GN-003 Gundam Kyrios

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    Linux Mint 5 Elyssa
     
    wojwoda, Oct 21, 2008
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  14. Baserk

    Baserk Notebook user

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    Clem has just released an x86-64 version of Mint Elyssa this weekend. I'm dl it now.
    Check out the Mintblog on this 64-bit release.
    Cheers.
     
    Baserk, Oct 21, 2008
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  15. visiom88

    visiom88 Notebook Evangelist

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    try to avoid distros that are too easy becuz you won't learn enough about linux from them. i think ubuntu is a great choice for beginners. it leans much on easy side, but it's not too simple that everything is just few clicks away from doing.
     
    visiom88, Oct 22, 2008
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  16. wojwoda

    wojwoda GN-003 Gundam Kyrios

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    Hoi.
    I saw it at http://distrowatch.com/ and I downloaded last night it finally.
    I booted it as live CD and it faster booted than x86. Graphics is screwed up because of lack of driver, but anyway, I still don't know should I install it :confused:. My x86 works excellent ;).

    I think I'll open thread about x86-64 Linux.
     
    wojwoda, Oct 22, 2008
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  17. REMF

    REMF Notebook Consultant

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    Opensuse is what i have used for years, and still today.

    Opensuse 11.1 due in December would be a good one to try.

    It will use a bug-fixxed release of the 2.6.27 kernel
    It will use KDE 4.1.2, with a one click upgrade to 4.2 when that arrives.
    It includes the latest X.org (7.4) and ALSA (1.0.18)
    It will have some of the big kde apps in KDE4 form (Amarok & Digikam)

    and will be generally awesome.
     
    REMF, Oct 22, 2008
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  18. wojwoda

    wojwoda GN-003 Gundam Kyrios

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    wojwoda, Oct 22, 2008
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  19. Amranu

    Amranu Notebook Consultant

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    Foresight linux, because rolling release is awesome.
     
    Amranu, Oct 22, 2008
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  20. theZoid

    theZoid Notebook Savant

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    Yep all those distro's. You can read and write NTFS outta the box btw.
     
    theZoid, Oct 22, 2008
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  21. theZoid

    theZoid Notebook Savant

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    Looks interesting. Are you using it now, or Arch?
     
    theZoid, Oct 22, 2008
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  22. mgh_a1

    mgh_a1 Notebook Evangelist

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    Ubuntu is a great linux distro, and the compiz desktop effects are cool looking and really make it seem like a polished OS.

    That being said, I have a 1420 almost exactly like yours, and the Ubuntu live CD failed to launch when I thought that I would give it a second try (I was running 7.04 on a different system last year). I know that the disc is fine, anyone got an idea if a failed live session would mean that an install would fail as well?

    On another note, Ubuntu runs great after you spend some time getting the updates adding programs that add all the great multimedia features (get VLC . . . its lite and it plays anything). The only reason I gave it up is because I was having a problem getting it to play nice with my sound card. I need my music so I went back to windows.

    On a more positive note, I am now using Openoffice for all my office needs in school. So far so good, so long as I keep saving in the word format!
     
    mgh_a1, Oct 23, 2008
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  23. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    You haven't really told us anything to identify the nature of the problem, but one of the most common reasons why the LiveCD fails or freezes is because of Linux's implementation of ACPI. You can turn it off by pressing F6 at the LiveCD menu option "Boot Ubuntu" (or whatever its called). At the end of the boot command, add "noacpi".
     
    Bog, Oct 23, 2008
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