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Which Linux distro?
Hi, for all you experts out there, I am a newbie to the world of Linux in a sense. Meaning, I know lots about UNIX and Linux and all that stuff, but I am embarking on my first permanent home install. I am going to dual boot with XP for now. Anyways, I am not sure which Linux distro to go with. I like what I hear about SUSE, Mandrake, and FreeBSD. I am planning on doing quite a bit of C++ programming, some Java and some PERL. I also want to get into the game programming business, but I don't know if that will impact which one I pick. Any suggestions you experts (or non-experts =) could offer will be greatly appreciated. DANKE SEHR!
For a newbie i'd reccomend Lycoris D/LX from www.lycoris.com However to you i'd reccomend SuSE, you can either download version 7.3 or buy 8.1 on CD. Both these distro's cam be downloaded from www.linuxiso.org
you should check out www.distrowatch.com they have a huge database of linux distro's and there are links to many reviews of them. if you ask me i think that redhat 8.0 is a really good distro to go with, as well as my all time favorite slackware 8.1 which i really like, its only 1 cd too so if you dont have a very good internet connection this is a good one to go with. Debian i have a lot of respect for also.
Well lycoris might give you a bit of trouble with hardware and you have very small userbase(compared to other distros) for your help. I suggest Redhat 8.0.
Welcome to the real world !!!
Welcome to the real world !!!
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I agree with standsolid on Mandrake, especially for a first install.
And Mandrake 9.0 only has really recent packages, with the 2.4.19-16 kernel that should easily support a lot of hardware. With this, your system is completely up to date for a little time.
And Mandrake 9.0 only has really recent packages, with the 2.4.19-16 kernel that should easily support a lot of hardware. With this, your system is completely up to date for a little time.
ASKER
I have heard that Mandrake is good. I also Like SUSE. I hear RED HAT installs with tons of security holes to patch up. I am sure that is true of all Linux flavors anyways, but does anyone know about FreeBSD? my friend keeps telling me it is the answer to my linux prayers. does anyone here run it? how is it for a newbie such as myself? also, if I download the ISO images and install for free, do i miss out on the good application packages? thanks fellas....
All personal preferance, I like Redhat, but I must admit I have never really tried any on the other Distros
-- Greg
-- Greg
I recomend SuSE... its the best distro for workstations... and / or home servers... if you want a good server then use FreeBSD or OpenBSD but not for workstation.
SuSE all the way...
Like I said in my initial posting, SuSE, If you buy the latest version (8.1) you get loads & loads of free applications, http://www.suse.com I run SuSE7.3Pro and it's great, never have I had a problem.
Redhat and Mandrake are great for newbies.
Your friends told you FreeBSD?
If this is your first real experience with Linux then you will not even begin to comprehend FreeBSD. Seriously.
Go with Redhat or Mandrake. Can't go wrong with those choices. But hey im not your mom, do whatever.
But as soon as you learn redhat or mandrake really good make the switch to FreeBSD. Its little bit more fun.
I feel so geeky in FreeBSD.
Also check out a distro called Knoppix. Runs completely off a CD. No installation or anything. And it runs pretty good if you have a half way descent system.
Your friends told you FreeBSD?
If this is your first real experience with Linux then you will not even begin to comprehend FreeBSD. Seriously.
Go with Redhat or Mandrake. Can't go wrong with those choices. But hey im not your mom, do whatever.
But as soon as you learn redhat or mandrake really good make the switch to FreeBSD. Its little bit more fun.
I feel so geeky in FreeBSD.
Also check out a distro called Knoppix. Runs completely off a CD. No installation or anything. And it runs pretty good if you have a half way descent system.
Here is the link for knoppix:
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/
Yea i think that is german but you can still figure it out.
Go to download then choose a mirror
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/
Yea i think that is german but you can still figure it out.
Go to download then choose a mirror
One more thing. FreeBSD installation is HELL.