Linux Distribution Recommendation Thread

[macdude425]

1. I'd say Slackware/Debian/Gentoo for that one. That way, you can customize just about everything so it runs at a good speed.
2. DSL. Make sure you have a decent sized swap partition so that Fluxbox will run smoothly, however.

 

[Tyler1989]

Again I'm asking for a good Linux distro...


I'm looking to install another Linux on a business laptop. The problems I've been having with Fedora 4&5, SUSE 10.0, and Ubuntu are the screen. In Fedora it's split in too due to bad resolutions, in SUSE the installer hangs, and it won't work in Ubuntu.

Compaq
1.8Ghz AMD Turion
386 RAM
802.11g >>> Needs to be working on WPA encrypted network.


Will be on a 10Gig Linux Partition leaving 50Gig for windows.

 

[talldude123]

I'm just installing Kubuntu on my Celeron D 2.66, it's lightning fast. I really like it, highly recommend it.

I overwrote Windows XP, it gave me problems from day one.

 

[jakec]

Hey guys,

Again I want to post this again as I went back to my orginal post in this thread and half the links no longer work! so this post is going to be long as I will intergrate distros for older Hardware, as well as for servers and personal recomendations

Kubuntu
http://www.kubuntu.org/

Uses KDE desktop, one CD install works both as a live and Install CD. Be wary it is a bit bloated.

Mandriva
http://frontal2.mandriva.com/en/downloads/mirrors

This is what PCLinuxOS is based on it is a BIG distrobution with all you will ever need

Knoppix (Live CD)
http://iso.linuxquestions.org/distro.php?distro=5

PCLinuxOS
http://www.pclinuxos.com/page.php?7

This is the distro I use and recommend, Why because it works right out of the box. No need to configure Everything, everything just works. It also comes as a 1 CD install that is a live CD that you can install later if you wish.

BeatrIX
http://www.watsky.net/download.html

This Distro is small fast and effective, the ultimite Workers CD

Blag
http://www.blagblagblag.org/download/

is A one CD install of Fedora Core

OPENSUSE
http://www.opensuse.org/Download


Mephis
http://www.mepis.org/

Everything you will ever need on 1 CD. Hardware detection is exelent, as is the feel and look of the distro

Servers

ATMission:
http://www.atconsultancy.nl/atmission/

Smoothwall
http://www.smoothwall.org/

Distros for older Hardware:

feather Linux
http://featherlinux.berlios.de/

Vector Linux
http://www.vectorlinux.com/

DSL
http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/

Puppy Linux
http://www.puppylinux.org/user/viewpage.php?page_id=3

Slackware
http://www.slackware.com/

and for those wishing to use Linux and still keep the Windows Familarity try Xrandros, good solid distro: http://www.xandros.com/products/home/open_circulation/download_information.html

that should stay current for the next 6 months or so

Jake

 

[drizuid]

I've been using linux since i was 14, im 24 now.. if that's any indication of experience. I started off with Slackware linux, which at that time was fairly rudimentary as far as "help" went. It took me a month to figure out how to get online. What i discovered is, if you take the most hardcore distro to start with, you learn a **** of a lot, because you're forced to research. Therefore, I highly encourage new users to participate in the linux from scratch project. Not only do you get a distro faster than any other distro, but it's yours, from the ground up. You created it. It's not redhat, it's not slackware, its YOUnix. (pardon the pun!) Anyway, if you want to know wtf you're doing, and actually accomplish things, learn it! don't rely on cheesy GUIs to do it for you. Use the GUI once you understand things. You will appreciate it more, and have a fairly strong background!

http://wwwlinuxfromscratch.org

Enjoy.

 

[jonmon6691]

If you are considering Ubuntu, be warned that it doesn't have gcc on it which makes it so u cant compile software which i know your thinking why you'd want to but the longer u use linux the more you'll realize how many software distribution are just source. Plus actually getting gcc is a pain b/c it is only source itself so you cant compile it

 

[macdude425]

sudo apt-get install gcc

It's not that hard, really. Anyways, there are other reasons to hate Ubuntu also.

 

[superdave1984]

This has beena really helpful thread. I haven't much experience with Linux. Used Red Hat 7 a few years ago for a short time, but didn't really get into it much. I have Knoppix and Austrumi live CD's I am playing with now and then. RH seemed to be kind of cumbersome to get going. And it was HUGE. Well it seemed huge. Dunno, I may get converted in a few years. Especially if/when Vista takes over. I don't like the 2 time activation thing. Especially since I format once a year.

 

[Guns90]

Good thread, guys. Thanks. I just wanted to give my 2 cents if no one minds.

I think that before anyone should become a Linux NOOB, they really need to figure out what they want to do with it in the long run. I currently have but one computer. I use it for the web, data processing, MP3 library, and digital photography. I also have two high schoolers that need to do what's neccessary for school. I do NOT allow gaming on it (they have a PS2 for that). I have tried a few different distros over the last two years, and found the ANY of them will do what I want them to. I have stuck with ubuntu because it simply has the largest following (community) that can provide assistance if needed. This is very important to me in that I have a very difficult time learning ANY OS because I had a stroke a couple of years ago and my short term memory is all but gone. I have found on unbuntu forums the friendly help I need to do anything I want. Thanks for listening. I juist thought this ought to be said.

Gary

 

[GloriaJeans]

It's been a long time since I used Linux, but I remember installing RedHat 5.1 (I think that's the correct version) and it took me basically all day to install. But next to Windows, my OS was BLAZING fast.

Has anyone compared this to Fedora Core, Apache, Squid Proxy, or any others?