linux opinions

[ty36]

hello there i have been thinking using linux for a while now as microsoft i think are getting very greedy on how much they sell there licenses for but i dont know where to start so if i can have some help and opinions on what you think of linux that should be enough to get me started.

cheers

[catgate]

I can understand your thinking. I went though it my self.

Linux is not for everybody...yet...but it is getting to be so very quickly.. The best thing to do is download a "run from CD" version of Ubuntu 7 and just try it out without committing yourself to much.

Linux really is an eye opener if you get one of the varieties that are not to geeky, such as Ubuntu.. The nice thing is that every thing "just works" without having to install drivers for this, that and the other.

I am running Ubuntu 7.!0 in Gnome mode

https://shipit.ubuntu.com/

[Mike567]

Kubuntu is more friendly towards windows users due to its KDE desktop environment.

They also supply free CD's which is brilliant https://shipit.kubuntu.org/

Or the other option I would say is downloading PC Linux OS which is high on my list http://www.pclinuxos.com/

Or one that is very popular and has a lot of support is Fedora, I haven't much experience with it http://fedoraproject.org/

Personally I run Kubuntu 7.10 and I preach it a lot, but its beginning to get some good competition now.

If you don't want to go through a lot of hasstle you can use Wubi to install Kubuntu as well, it just modifies your boot loader to from your regular partition but wubi will create a image of Kubuntu on that drive.

[catgate]

Or one that is very popular and has a lot of support is Fedora, [url=http://fedoraproject.org/]http://fedoraproject.org/[/urI haven't much experience with it l]

I have....forget it until you get to know more about linux. I tried it and it was very geeky. and took quite a bit of farting about with, as did SuSe, Mandriva and of course RedHat.

[ty36]

Or one that is very popular and has a lot of support is Fedora, [url=http://fedoraproject.org/]http://fedoraproject.org/[/urI haven't much experience with it l]

I have....forget it until you get to know more about linux. I tried it and it was very geeky. and took quite a bit of farting about with, as did SuSe, Mandriva and of course RedHat.

thank you all very much for your support through this difficult choice, much appreciated thank you again

[Mike567]

The ones you named are complex to use, Suse is based on slackware which comes witht he hacker steriotype, redhat is for servers but a powerful OS which is why Mandriva and Fedora built their OS on them.

I only tried Fedora in its core 5 stage which I never liked because it was default Gnome, but I hear it has advanced a lot, you can download a KDE live CD of fedora so I take it KDE and Gnome are a option on the DVD.

But I would say stick to the Ubuntu/kubuntu distrobutions they pride themselves on being easy people leaving windows.

[Alan2273]

Try Linux Mint, everything works from the install, sound, dvd playback etc.

It is an offshoot of Ubuntu and is very stable, like Ubuntu it comes in Gnome & Kde.

http://linuxmint.com/download.html

[mark2]

puppy Linux is another option, (my favourite) small download, run in ram most hardware covered (unless you're on the bleeding edge of technology) set up wizards that work.

http://www.tuxmachines.org/node/26480

http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2008/05/...-linux-gro.html

http://www.tectonic.co.za/?p=2398

download here

[Scarecrow Man]

I also like the kubuntu release for a first linux os. try the live cd and see if its for you. Then just install it over top of, or along side your windows os.

[Web host guys]

I found a free linux course from the linux.org main site, covers some of the basics and then some.

http://www.linux.org/lessons

Good luck, I personally like Ubuntu and Open Suse

[Sbrideau]

Hi, I didn't want to create a new thread for such a little question:

Well, speaking of live cds, I have downloaded ubuntu in a .iso file, but I don't know of any programs to burn .iso to cd, could someone tell me of one? Preferably free or with trial.

[Boris]

Burn an .iso to CD ?

Free

Just what you asked for :)

http://www.imgburn.com/

[Sbrideau]

Thank you :)

[/thread hijack]

[machiner]

I need to disagree with anyone recommending Ubuntu - it's a dog (opinion as well as experience). My customers never hear of it because I have to support them. I give them Debian, Puppy, or Mandriva and they are all happy clams.

That being said - Ubuntu has done its part to bring Linux more into the mainstream - but nobody would be foolish enough to attribute all Linux's newfound popularity to Ubuntu.

Ubuntu does run pretty well in its live option. However, once it's installed and customized the problems start to appear. I have no opinion or experience with SuSE.

Even complete neophytes have no problems with Debian, though. Once you (people) get over their system not running Windows they seem to meld right into Linux and can appreciate many of the little efficiencies it offers.

All Linux distros are not created equal. Try a bunch, each for a week or more, and then make your decisions. However, don't be frustrated if it immediately doesn't present every option you demand to you. It's there, honest, but sometimes you'll miss what you need becasue of some of the silly names Linux programs have. Sometimes, too, a function may be there for you but it may not be intuitive. Just remember, it wasn't when you started with Windows, either.

[jrjr]

I have to agree with machiner about Ubuntu. They release updates way to quickly and it ends up breaking peoples machines causing all kinds of stress. I myself have tried a dozen or so and settled on PCLINUXOS. They are very particular with testing and will only release when something is STABLE! Rest assured if it is a machine it will break no matter what OS you are using but my choice for anyone new or old is PCLINUXOS. It just works....

Find it here:

http://www.pclinuxos.com/

[Alan2273]

If you like the Gnome desktop, you can download PCLOS Gnome 2008 from here.

http://www.linuxgator.org/download/download.html

[Hb_Kai]

Having the ability to test the OS is probably the best thing in the world if you're thinking about changing your primary operating system which is something all Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Edubuntu do. (I think Edubuntu does anyway (I'm not sure about any other distributions supplying LiveCDs too by the way)).

With the disc from all, all you do is insert the disc and boot the computer from the disc to test the Operating System. Even if your current drivers aren't working as they should the operating system will prompt you about this and ask if you'd like to download, install and activate new or alternative drivers which will still work for that piece of hardware.

These three have so many packages and I think it's the best Linux distro, but I've only tried a few others, and this would also be a personal statement and could start a long argument... (now wouldn't that be funny?) :lol:

Anyway, the thing wrong with these operating systems is they're a bit more difficult to get used to rather than the Windows operating systems. It's not like installing; downloading .exe files, running them, clicking a couple buttons and letting the machine do the rest of the installing. In some instances you have to run a program called the Terminal and type a line or two of code, or there is a Synaptics Package Manager which you can scroll through and find what you want to install (this is the easiest way I think), and there are also other things.

Also, it's a bit more confusing for setting up a firewall. I'll be using IP tables pretty soon when I get a bit used to them though as apparently they're more safer - (which maybe someone here can comment on beforehand)

So yeah; if you're thinking about changing to a Linux distribution - don't expect it to be as easy-as-pie. But the hard work is rewarding at the end of it.