Since there is a Wealth of Linux Knowledge in here,
If I was going to learn a version of Linux,
These are the choices, I have been presented with
Debian, CentOS, Ubuntu, Fedora, Scientific Linux and OpenSUS
Which do you guys recommend and why?
Thanks in Advance.
it is not a question of if, it is mandatory to acquire an understanding of linux, if you think you want know
anything about computers.
i'm only a n00b level user myself, though i started playing with it back in 2k2.
currently i can't seem to install 'nix on my pc due to hardware issues. (well i did manage to install the latest edition of fedora, but there seem to be video driver issues with that os, so since it might not be a good choice for mining, i'm still looking for an OS i can install)
debian is the root of many spinoffs like ubuntu, has tons of free software built for it (.deb)
fedora is the testbed for red hat linux, i like it, it's fun and easy to use and understand. also root of many
i agree ubuntu is prolly easiest os to get into from windows, but i've heard rumors of embeded spyware, havn't researched it enough to say more but beware...
it also has some interesting spinoffs, and tonnes of clones...
of which i have
artistx on my lappy, running an older version i've not upgraded in order to keep the old gnome2 desktop environment. with gnome/compiz fusion you can create a multi-desktop environment unequaled anywhere
artistx comes with almost every open spource program there is, related to media/graphics. out of the boxit runs just great
http://linuxtracker.org/http://distrowatch.com/http://livecdlist.com/so also you need to think about which desktop environment to use
oldwise the choices were gnome or kde, with gnome being simplistic and kde being geeky. things have evolved and now there are many desktop systems to choose from.
my fav was/is the old gnome2combo mentioned above, and the current reasonable faximile is called MATE
also of importance is your install strategy, i recomend using 3 partitions, one for swap, about 1.2*the size of your RAM, one for the root drive (/) (where the OS files are (usually about 20gB needed) and a separate one for the /home folder, where your personal data is stored (so maybe 100 gB or more - say maybe 20 gb min), that way, if you have to re-install, you can do so without reformatting the /home partition, preserving your data. lastly it is possible to encrypt the /home drive on many distros, so be thinking of a good passphrase
linux installers are quite windows friendly these days, and make a dual-boot scenario very easy to execute
another option (for learning and discovery) for you might be puppy linux, where you do not install anything on your p00tr, where you can download the core files & burn to DVD, then you boot up and the Os runs from the DVD. as you build up your OS, you can save your changes to the DVD! (this can effectively give you a nice portable and private computer)
Poll
