 Which Distro Is Right For Me?, Take this short quiz |
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 Aug 3 2008, 12:50 AM
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#46
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 Forum Addict  Group: BC Advisor Posts: 2,150 Joined: 24-June 06 From: Pace University - New York City Campus Member No.: 73,266  |
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Aug 3 2008, 09:17 AM
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#47
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Member Group: Members Posts: 145 Joined: 18-November 07 From: United States Member No.: 170,627 |
I got matched with:
openSuse and Fedora Weird though, because I have Ubuntu already installed on a spare computer and I'm fine with it :D -------------------- |
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Aug 3 2008, 12:26 PM
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#48
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Member Group: Members Posts: 81 Joined: 7-July 06 Member No.: 75,020 |
For the new user I have found these steps to be helpful. Ultimately the nuances between distros will eventually lead to a choice but one that can only be determined by the user.
However... 1. Determine which "desktop" look and feel you prefer. KDE and GNOME are the most full-featured DE (desktop environments) and as a general rule will require at least 500mhz CPU speed and 256 mbRAM to provide an experience most familiar to what new users are accustomed to. XFCE, fluxbox and other light-resource desktops can usually be run on 300 mhz CPU speed and 128mb RAM with satisfactory result. Either of these DE's can be run on less but may not satisfy expectations. A common distro suggestion for new users using older hdwr are DSL or Puppy. While these distros indeed are QUALITY software, you must realize that they may not provide functionality in a way that is FAMILIAR to someone coming to Linux from Windows. PCLOS, Mandriva, Ubuntu, Debian, Kanotix and CENTos seem to fit the bill for new users seeking a full featured desktop on newer hdwr. SAMLinux, VectorLinux, Antix, Puppy and DSL seem to fit the bill for older hdwr and for the user who is willing to try a slightly different user interface experience. If I forgot any distro I'm sure I'll hear about it! ( but I do have my reasons) 2. Of concern to most new users is "messing" up their Windows installation. Easy solution. Pick up an older Plll from your local thrift shop (usually for $50US or less). Pickup a LiveCD version of the distro you want to try. Problem solved. While dual boots and VM installs are effective I don't recommend them for the BRAND NEW user. 3. Spend some time reviewing hdwr compatibility. As a rule Canon and Lexmark printers do not support Linux....so return the favor. Don't support them. HP, Epson, Brother and Samsung do support Linux. Support them. Canon is at the forefront of mtp and ptp which are formats for digital audio players and cameras that generally ensure compatibility only with MS products and while Linux is very good about picking up this hardware, the INTENT is to expand DRM. Again....don't support them if possible. 4. Dial-up is still a problem with Linux. Use external serial port hardware modems. With disappearing serial ports this may be a problem, but if at all possible, stay away from external USB or most any kind of software modem whether internal or external. esp modems have drivers built into the kernel and I have had near 100% success with them. Software drivers are available for software modems and help is available at linmodems.org, but it is NOT an afternoon project.... more like several days! Go with DSL internet connection if at all possible. Also, wireless is an ongoing process with Linux so bear that in mind. 5. If philosophical concerns are of interest to you, stay away from distros that have aligned themselves with MS. hope this helps This post has been edited by Trio3b: Aug 3 2008, 12:28 PM |
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Sep 16 2008, 10:52 AM
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#49
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 Distinguished Member Group: Members Posts: 698 Joined: 8-September 08 From: Laurel, Md Member No.: 237,030 |
I got this: Sorry, we were not able to find any matches. Please check back later.
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Oct 1 2008, 04:37 PM
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#50
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Member Group: Members Posts: 15 Joined: 6-July 07 Member No.: 141,920 |
I find that if your computer is picked up by the OS you are likely to use that distro. I find liveCD's a great tool in finding if the OS will pick up your hardware. I use puppy version 3.01 because it is so user friendly and it picks up ALL of my hardware on first boot.
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Oct 26 2008, 08:35 PM
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#51
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 New Member Group: Members Posts: 6 Joined: 24-September 08 From: /home/john Member No.: 241,102 |
QUOTE(ergorest @ Jan 13 2006, 12:25 AM)  I hear Ubuntu is one of the best to use now. Apparently very easy to set up and dual boot with. Yes, I would have to agree with this. I'm currently using Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron and I love it very much. Ever since I discovered it, it got me out of the Windows world of things. -------------------- Acer Extensa 4620z laptop, Intel Pentium Dual-Core @ 1.60GHz, 140GB Hard disk drive, 2GB DDR2 RAM, Linux Mint 5 Elyssa
Linux user since April 28th, 2008. Vista made me do it. :p |
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Oct 30 2008, 04:47 AM
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#52
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 1 Joined: 30-October 08 Member No.: 251,392 |
Forget the test, try the best!
I tried over a dozen different distros (distributions) of Linux before finding Puppy Linux - it rocks! Small, ultra-fast, highly compatible, live CD, AND 'multi-session' CD - which means you can burn your work back onto the CD, and walk away... Check out www.puppylinux.com - the forums there will provide you with mega-help if you post your questions. This post has been edited by garmanma: Oct 30 2008, 06:14 AM
Reason for edit: email address removed
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Nov 10 2008, 01:52 PM
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#53
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 16 Joined: 17-February 08 From: Australia Member No.: 190,699 |
I tried a few Live Distros first to see what suited my Hardware . After a few tests I settled on PCLinuxOS . I've been using it as a dual boot setup with Win XP SP3 for 12 months and found it to be wonderful , especially the Multi Media software, which and I must stress everyones computer's are different, but this Box likes PCLinuxOS better than Win XP as far as Sound and Video , and memory usage in general . Multiple highly intensive programmes run on pclos , whereas XP does not like it !
I thought I had major problems with my Soundcard and Video card but was astounded when using pclos that they work flawlessly . Drivers are better suited is all I can reasonably conclude . PCLOS 2007 is what I have , the support is minimal compared to the more popular distros such as Ubuntu , plus I thought it may be fading out but I hear there will be a PCLOS 2009 which is great news 
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Nov 19 2008, 07:37 PM
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#54
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 I can see what you post! Group: Members Posts: 6,469 Joined: 14-February 05 Member No.: 12,053 |
Awe. I might have to switch from Ubuntu. lol Looks like my knowledge I've gained from Ubuntu has lead my new test results to lead me towards OpenSuse and Mandriva. Oh well, it's probably a good idea to get to know more than one distro of linux.
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Nov 22 2008, 08:10 PM
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#55
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 Bleeping Hacker Group: BC Advisor Posts: 2,215 Joined: 14-April 04 From: Texas Member No.: 151 |
QUOTE I hear there will be a PCLOS 2009 which is great news Yes and it should be released soon. The testing has been done and is now closed. Sadly Texstar has had some personal issues and has been away for a short time. Expect to see it soon. -------------------- |
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Nov 24 2008, 10:55 AM
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#56
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Member Group: Members Posts: 16 Joined: 17-February 08 From: Australia Member No.: 190,699 |
QUOTE I hear there will be a PCLOS 2009 which is great news QUOTE Yes and it should be released soon. The testing has been done and is now closed. Sadly Texstar has had some personal issues and has been away for a short time. Expect to see it soon. Thanks for the feedback raw , must admit that PCLOS resources are stretched , wish I knew some more about development so I could lend a hand . One person can't possibly bear the burden of putting together a distro , many more helpers are needed to kickstart PCLOS back into the real world . The repos have been frozen for months so as to configure the "bits and pieces" , I have to say though people have kept there heads and been patient . There's a good feeling about PCLOS . 
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Dec 14 2008, 07:40 PM
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#57
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 38 Joined: 12-December 08 From: pueblo Member No.: 268,850 |
Nice, thanks for posting this. I am going to try another flavor.
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Jan 2 2009, 06:11 PM
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#58
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Member Group: Members Posts: 38 Joined: 30-December 08 Member No.: 275,936 |
It said I'm best suited for Windows 98. WTF?
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Jan 3 2009, 04:37 PM
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#59
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 Bleepin' Night Watchman Group: Moderator Posts: 4,247 Joined: 5-December 05 From: The City of Saint Francis, by the western sea Member No.: 43,307 |
QUOTE(CrutchyT @ Jan 2 2009, 03:11 PM) It said I'm best suited for Windows 98. WTF?  If I were you, I'd be insulted. -------------------- |
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Jan 4 2009, 01:41 PM
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#60
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 New Member Group: Members Posts: 12 Joined: 2-January 09 From: Menlo Park, CA Member No.: 277,006 |
QUOTE(CrutchyT @ Jan 2 2009, 03:11 PM) It said I'm best suited for Windows 98. WTF? Hoo ha ha. Good one.Did you see the news re. MS laying off 15,000 folks! Nice of them (really) to wait until after the holidaze. From the outside its damn hard to tell what those teaming thousands at MS are actually doing. I mean how could they top Vista??? Anyway folks, I'm finally going to try moving away from Windows. I had been thinking of trying a Linux flavor (duh) with Ubuntu seemingly a good choice on one of the netbooks. The quiz gave me a wide selection of choices - kubunto, ubuntu, Mandriva, & openSuSE. As well as Fedora and Debian if I feel like stretching out a bit. From a post that I sent to a friend who I will lean on for help.... in particular i was thinking of getting one of these: http://www.amazon.com/10-Inch-Netbook-Inte...056&sr=1-10 with Linux and giving it a go. the screen is a bit small. but i like the idea of a solid state drive!! then again some of the reviewers point out that there are problems with the drive as its actually two drives and the 2nd partition seems to be a slower technology.... this part of the product description is very amusing "Linux operating system, which is useful for users who desire task-based icons and an easy point-and-click interface. Well suited for children or users without any computer experience" i think the only issue will be what to do with all of the various .msg files that i have stashed in folders. open office and thunderbird should take care of most of the rest of what i do. what an optimist, eh? or this one is only $350! http://www.amazon.com/10-Inch-Netbook-Cele...5056&sr=1-5 except that it seems to have gone unavailable right as i was shopping for it???> sort of odd that the product description doesn't match the actual product. amazon can be pretty messed up. in fact, just in the last few moments, they changed the search results and i can no longer find the systems that i had been looking at.... or perhaps a netbook i speced at dell. the dell has more vertical pixels and the thing is larger. also more expensive. even tho Dell isn't as good as they once were, they are still pretty good. the laptop that i am using is over 5 years old, has traveled a lot, and is still fine (knock on wood). This post has been edited by Ron Wolf: Jan 4 2009, 02:06 PM -------------------- ____________________Ron
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