linux distros...

playinpearls · #1 03-04-2010, 11:09 AM

I've seen many linux heads around using ubuntu, fedora and such....

as a linux noob, i would have to ask...

If I wanted to try linux once again in my laptop - an acer something- which would be the best distro to get? I would like to get some experience to be able to use it in a networking environment and using a CLI for configuration and such. I know those are two totally different worlds, but without picking a strictly CLI version, which would you suggest?

i have used PClinuxOS, fedora 11, and Ubuntu temporarily just to try stuff out but it was on my desktop which my household uses and quickly rejected. I'm gonna try to pry my wife's laptop from her grip and put it on that to play with and carry around with me. she doesn't use it that much anymore so i think i have a shot...

winston · #2 03-04-2010, 12:48 PM

After using Linux for a while I found I prefer Debian/Slackware based distros to Suse/Fedora.

Mepis is based on Debian stable. It comes very well-configured from the get-go.

Vector is a nice Slackware-based distro.

Puppy Linux takes a very minimal approach--the whole thing can run in RAM so it's very fast.

If you like tweaking Arch and Gentoo are worth a look.

After a while I realized stability and a large user base (for help with issues) were my main priorities--for this I think Ubuntu is the way to go. Once you try a number of distros you see that the main differences are package management (DEB vs. RPM, etc), level of stability (are you running a server or do you want bleeding edge?), and eye candy.

NJL · #3 03-04-2010, 10:00 PM

I use RHEL/CentOS and Back|Track (Ubuntu)..

Look at live distros, you can have lots of fun with live distros and not worry about having to install anything..

MIJ-VI · #4 03-05-2010, 12:28 AM

Based on Ubuntu, Linux Mint is about as close to commercial OS-like multimedia functionality as one can get in a Linux distro without adding a lot of stuff on.

"...Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu and the two distributions have much in common. Both distributions use the same software repositories.[3] For instance, release 6 (“Felicia”) uses the package pools of Ubuntu “Intrepid Ibex” (8.10). Most packages are the same on both distributions, and as of Linux Mint 6 'Felicia', each Linux Mint release is based on Ubuntu, whereas before they were based on the previous Linux Mint release.[11]

Most differences are on the desktop. Linux Mint has a stated focus on elegance, and it includes a number of applications that are not available in Ubuntu and vice versa (see aforementioned Mint tools).

The Main version of Linux Mint also includes some propietary software and codecs such as out-of-the-box MP3 support, which makes quite a big advantage for the popularity of the distribution among inexperienced users."

NJL · #5 03-05-2010, 06:38 AM

Oh and btw, stay away from GUI, learn all CLI, you'll be proud of yourself.

MCBTunes · #6 03-05-2010, 07:10 AM

one nice feature for ubuntu is they have a fantastic community support team. http://ubuntuforums.org/

That way if you run into any problems they have a ton of info you can search through or you can post a question of your own.

playinpearls · #7 03-05-2010, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJL

Oh and btw, stay away from GUI, learn all CLI, you'll be proud of yourself.

i definetly hear you here....especially since most if not all the servers i'll ever work on will probably be CLI...

Wife gave me the finger though so i guess i'll have to dual boot for a while or look for an old laptop somewhere...

i'll try a couple of these out and see what happens.

any suggestions about possibly running it on vmware? i've used it like once or twice...but only for a class or two. i think i'll like that a little better than having to reboot every time i want to change os's...

gdthomas · #8 03-05-2010, 12:27 PM

I use CentOS, if you can run VMware you could download a bunch of the live CD's and try them out and see which one you like best.

**Horny Toad** · #9 03-05-2010, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdthomas

I use CentOS, if you can run VMware you could download a bunch of the live CD's and try them out and see which one you like best.

If you don't have VMware, give VirtualBox a shot. http://www.virtualbox.org/

NJL · #10 03-05-2010, 05:05 PM

i'll second virtual box.. it just keeps getting better and better.

you may also want to get an account at rackspace cloud or slicehost. dirt cheap - you don't need to keep a server going and they only charge you by the time after you kicked a server.

you use the cp, then you ssh into the server.. you'll learn alot - plus there's a nice wiki at the rackspace cloud.

MatticusMania · #11 03-05-2010, 05:21 PM

i dont understand a THING!

stratovani · #12 03-05-2010, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

Based on Ubuntu, Linux Mint is about as close to commercial OS-like multimedia functionality as one can get in a Linux distro without adding a lot of stuff on.

"...Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu and the two distributions have much in common. Both distributions use the same software repositories.[3] For instance, release 6 (“Felicia”) uses the package pools of Ubuntu “Intrepid Ibex” (8.10). Most packages are the same on both distributions, and as of Linux Mint 6 'Felicia', each Linux Mint release is based on Ubuntu, whereas before they were based on the previous Linux Mint release.[11]

Most differences are on the desktop. Linux Mint has a stated focus on elegance, and it includes a number of applications that are not available in Ubuntu and vice versa (see aforementioned Mint tools).

The Main version of Linux Mint also includes some propietary software and codecs such as out-of-the-box MP3 support, which makes quite a big advantage for the popularity of the distribution among inexperienced users."

This afternoon I downloaded Linux Mint. I burned an ISO image on a CD and I'm presently trying it out on my desktop. My computer seems to run as well on Linux Mint as it does on WinXP, and I'm able to run some apps on it (Adobe Acrobat and Mozilla Firefox), although I havn't tried them all yet. Right now I'm here on TB using Firefox with Linux Mint as my OS. Presently I'm running Mint off the CD but I'll continue to evaluate it and if I like it I'll install it. I like the look of the desktop so far, reminds me of the Windows 7 desktop I've seen on other computers.

A word of warning: if you should decide to download Mint and run it off a CD for evaluation purposes, then know that you have to burn an ISO Image to the CD, NOT the actual ISO files. It won't work otherwise. I wasted a couple or CDRs that way until I checked the Linux Mint Users Manual.

MIJ-VI · #13 03-06-2010, 07:36 AM

Open Source Software vs. Commercial Software: Migration from Windows to Linux
An IT Professional's Testimonial
http://members.apex-internet.com/sa/windowslinux/

stratovani · #14 03-06-2010, 08:42 AM

I was wondering - does anyone know which version of the Wine Windows emulator should be used with Linux Mint? I went to the Wine website and I couldn't find any information on it. I'm guessing the Ubuntu version but I could be wrong.

fdeck · #15 03-06-2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJL

Oh and btw, stay away from GUI, learn all CLI, you'll be proud of yourself.

Nope, I've paid my dues, having used computers since 1980. I've used my share of teletype oriented OS's, and I'm so proud of myself. Now I'm retired from that, and it's time to hand the reins to the younger generation.

Now, one thing I like about the CLI is that when you want to document a fix for a problem, or an unusual setup, it's much easier to just give a few lines of JCL than trying to guide someone through a bunch of dialogs.

But in my view, if you're going to learn a command syntax, why not learn it for something that is more application oriented, such as MATLAB or Python.

Now, about distro's and burning CD's: You can use the unetbootin utility to create bootable flash drives. I've found this to be a better way to try out distro's. And I've gotten WINE to work with a wide variety of WIndows programs... practically anything that doesn't require peculiar Windows hardware drivers, or a dongle.

MIJ-VI · #16 03-07-2010, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratovani

I was wondering - does anyone know which version of the Wine Windows emulator should be used with Linux Mint? I went to the Wine website and I couldn't find any information on it. I'm guessing the Ubuntu version but I could be wrong.

One can install WINE from the Ubuntu repositories (which Linux Mint works with) by doing the following:

- After connecting to the Internet, update the list of available software by launching Terminal and typing sudo apt-get update and then tapping the <Enter> key. Next, type in your password when prompted to do so and tap the <Enter> key again. You'll see Terminal update said list. Once it has finished, quit Terminal. Then...

- Click 'Menu' (LLHS of the screen) and from the pop-up window drag the cursor to, and click 'Software Manager' (under the category 'System') and then enter your password when prompted.

- In 'Software Manager's 'Quick search' window type WINE, and in the 'Status' column click the check box beside 'Windows Compatibility Layer' (click the 'More info' button for a description and details). Now click the 'Install' button.

Installing most applications and utilities on Debian Linux-based operating systems like Ubuntu and Linux Mint primarily involves the use of the OS' software repositories which insures that said apps. etc are secure, up-to-date, and are supplied with all the required dependencies.

While one can download compatible .deb package binaries of apps. & utilities from outside sources/web sites in order to obtain newer versions of software than that which can be found in the OS' repositories (VirtualBox is a good example), a new Linux user would do well to stick with what is available from the repositories in order to avoid inadvertently installing possible malware offered by some shady web site.

Once one has used Linux long enough to feel comfortable then one can be more adventurous. Even so one should vet the source of non-repository software before installing it.

As with any OS it's a good idea to avoid installing junk like 3rd party themes and screensavers since they add no value to the computing experience, and if poorly written, can cause instabilities. They are also increasingly used as trojan horses by ID thieves to dupe computer users into installing malware.

While this thread is ostensibly about Ubuntu Studio, it has a growing number of tips & links which also apply to Ubuntu, and by extension, Ubuntu-based Linux Mint.