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Recomend me a Linux

saxnbass

saxnbass

Mar 9, 2006
5,633
17
Nashville, TN
ericnupp.com
#1
Alright. I have a Mac, and 2 Windows machines. One of the Windows machines is totally reset and has nothing on it. I've decided I want to run Linux on it. Which Linux should I get and where do I get it from? Where do I get all the drivers for it for all the stuff that's in my computer (built in card readers, DVD Drives, CD Writers, etc)?
 
#2
I suggest Ubuntu or one of its variants like Kubuntu. They are very user friendly and quite easy to use for someone who has never run Linux. You can get the download and burn it to a cd straight off of the Ubuntu website: www.ubuntu.com (and on that site are links to the other variants of ubuntu as well).

There are tons of sites to download drivers off of for Linux, and most of your stuff will likely run anyway.
 
#3
most popular linux distros are
Ubuntu (google Ubuntu, you'll find it),, it's kinda plug and play,, normally finds all the stuff on your pc,, fully supported by forums and community.. good choice

KUbuntu, similar to above, but with different GUI,, (used KDE instead of Gnome, KDE is typically more i candy, like windows, quite popular),, see above for the rest

both of the above come as Live CD's,, download the ISO,, burn the CD and boot your PC from the cd drive,, it'll load, and you'll see right away if there is any problems (drivers etc),,

I use Fedora Core 6 with both Gnome and KDE interfaces,, dual boot on my laptop with Windows XP..

Fedora is NOT the distro for first timers,,,
 
#4
Just to comment more on what thumbplucker said, most people who have never used Linux are amazed by beryl and I have heard of some people having trouble running it on Ubuntu because of gnome, so if you look into Beryl (it is just a very cool windows manager that will allow you to fully utilize multiple desktops and have very cool effects on it that kick the butts of vista and mac and require less performance) and want it, it typically runs better on Kubuntu because of KDE.
 
#7
Sonic_Death said:
I suggest Ubuntu or one of its variants like Kubuntu. They are very user friendly and quite easy to use for someone who has never run Linux. You can get the download and burn it to a cd straight off of the Ubuntu website: www.ubuntu.com (and on that site are links to the other variants of ubuntu as well).

There are tons of sites to download drivers off of for Linux, and most of your stuff will likely run anyway.
Click to expand...

+1 Ubuntu is hands down the most user friendly distro I've ever used. It's a great intro to the linux world.
 
#8
PCLinuxOS

Very user friendly. Almost as painless as a Windows install.

They have a Live CD you can download and try.

They have a small, but very helpful, development staff, and a very friendly and helpful forum.

They will not treat you like a moron if you need help configuring hardware.

Invalid Link Removed
 
#9
I recommend Fedora Core. It's the only linux distribution I have used, other than a stripped down version of Debian which I ran using a linux emulator for Windoze.

It works pretty good and if you have any questions you can look up your questions in google searchbar to get to a redhat linux questions forum. More than likely your question will be answered with a solution.

If you want everything to work like MP3 and WMV files, or anything like Java without installing it yourself, this probably isn't the distro for you.

Someone said that Fedora is not a distro for first-timers, but that is my first distro and I'm done with Windoze. Yes, you will need to read up, learn to use the terminal, search out answers on the linuxquestions.org forums, ect.

Of course, I have been called a "computer brain" by people so if somebody is looking for plug and play then no, Fedora won't offer that. The only things that worked out of the box was the internet and my cd player. Well, that's about all I need anyways.
)
Oh, and Pr0n works right out of the box! :o (If you install flash :eek: )
 
#10
I don't mean to hijack this thread (well, maybe I do), but I didn't want to start another one.

I'm looking at trying out Kubuntu, but I don't know which release to use. Should I try the newest release, or should I try 6.06?
 
#11
Kibuddy said:
I don't mean to hijack this thread (well, maybe I do), but I didn't want to start another one.

I'm looking at trying out Kubuntu, but I don't know which release to use. Should I try the newest release, or should I try 6.06?
Click to expand...

I think it is pretty safe for you go to for Edgy (6.10) at this point, so that is my recommendation. I have it on one of my computers and it runs like a champ.
 
#15
jkritchey said:
Are there System requirements? I've got a very old PC (P2!) that successfully runs XP SP2 (albeit slowly). Didn't see it mentioned at the Ubuntu site. I would definitely try the CD version first, but just curious.
Click to expand...

Ubuntu as with most Linux Distro's require very little to run, although as the newer editions come out are starting to require a bit more.

I am pretty sure you'd be fine with 256MB or ram. As far as processor speed, Ubuntu ran fine on one of my computers with 2.67GHz. And it takes up maybe a couple of GB on your hard drive at most.
 
#16
Sonic_Death said:
Ubuntu as with most Linux Distro's require very little to run, although as the newer editions come out are starting to require a bit more.

I am pretty sure you'd be fine with 256MB or ram. As far as processor speed, Ubuntu ran fine on one of my computers with 2.67GHz. And it takes up maybe a couple of GB on your hard drive at most.
Click to expand...
Thanks, should be a fun experiment. My tester is a P 2 450mhz (That's an M, not a G!)
 
#18
Sonic_Death said:
Wow, that thing is old! Good luck with that test. I think things should run fine for the most part though, so I wouldn't worry. If you use a Live CD, expect it to possibly run a little slow, but once the install is in, it will run a lot smoother.
Click to expand...
Hehehe. Yes, I've always been good at running very lean, and I hate getting rid of old machines. There's always some corner of the house that needs a PC.
 
#19
Edit:


Okay, I ran the Live CD (Ubuntu 6.06), and I have to say, this is a pretty neat OS.

The question begs to be asked, though: what can I do with Linux that I can't do in Windows?

Or, maybe a better question: why should I install Linux? Why is it worth the effort?

Again, sorry for hijacking the thread, but I really am interested in starting with Linux. I just don't know if it will be worth the effort.
 
#20
well.. let's see
no need for an antivirus (frees resources.. pc will run smoother and faster)
faster boot
more customization
99% of software is free (GNU open source), and updates are very timely (and free).
fantastic 'eye candy' (if you're into that kinda thing)
it's free
Now,, if you're a gamer,, stay with windows.
linux is great, stable, but not yet ready for prime time.
(most distros you have to play around with to get mp3's etc to play, or hook up yur ipod/palm pilot/pocket pc etc...
kubuntu and some others are almost load and go,,

I use it,, cause,, I use it :)
 

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