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General discussion

best free linux distro

Jul 4, 2005 1:22AM PDT

I know you may be thinking, "What's he talking about? Linux is already free." Some like Xandros disable a lot of features in the free version than if you bought the $90 version. In other words, which free version has the most features that also is good for a 1st time linux user.

Discussion is locked

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First timers? Live CDs so they can try without the install
Jul 4, 2005 2:10AM PDT

I hand out Knoppix's all the time. Live CDs (linuxiso.com and other places) let you see what each offers.

-> Your post is too vague for me to guess which one you might like.

Bob

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reword
Jul 4, 2005 4:17AM PDT

Since I'm a first timer, I need something that's sorta close to windows, in other words, easy. I also would like to know which Linux OS is compatable with windows software.
I would go with Xandros, but their open-source version disables a lot of features that made me even look at it. (I think.)

Why am I bothering to switch? Because I am a teenage computer geek and I believe Linux will be a serious threat to Microsoft in the next 10 years. So I wish to be ready. Plus, I want to learn to tweak with something. Happy

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Mandrake Move 10
Jul 11, 2005 10:40AM PDT

I'm not picky, I've got Knoppix, freeBSD, and Mandrake Move 10 on live cds that I get with magazines. The Mandrake cd requires a little USB flashram drive to store preferences on if you don't opt to load it onto your hard drive.

For ease of use in installations I've had the best results with SUSE. I still can't get Mandrake 9.3 to install because they don't appear to have my particular Silicon SATA drivers.

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several excellent free linux distros
Jul 4, 2005 6:01PM PDT

Hi "angryfierylord",
I have no recent experience with Knoppix and can not comment on it. MEPIS 3.3.1 for obvious reasons is very close to the top of most recent popularity ranking lists, but so far I have not seen any 64 bit version of it. It does not have any annoying K3b speed restriction.
Cheers
"septus"

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Good non-corporate linux
Jul 5, 2005 2:06PM PDT

Sadly, these days, a lot of the Linux distros are now being sold for money and not distributed FREELY like Linus and Richard Stallman wanted (examples include SuSe, Redhat, Slackware, Caldera, sort of Mandrake). Anyway, if you're not really into corporations controlling Linux, like me, you might want to try:

1. Debian. A bit difficult but VERY powerful, and 100% community-based.

2. Knoppix. (Yes, I do mean on the hard drive). Simply boot up the live CD, go to a command prompt, type "su" to log in as superuser, then type "knoppix-installer" to install to your hard drive. It is Debian-like but will detect your hardware much better.

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down to 3
Jul 6, 2005 3:12AM PDT

from this forum, I have it down to 3:

SimplyMEPIS
Debian
Knoppix

I'm leaning toward Knoppix. I'm still open for suggestions.

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Like looking in the mirror
Jul 6, 2005 4:42PM PDT

I was in the same position as you. I wanted to learn Linux after hearing small voices about it in some places. I am also a "teenage computer geek [16].)
My only regret is starting the same way you are going to. My opinion is that you get some really tough distribution like Gentoo and gain your knolegde through its great and helpful communities and its well written documentation. You will always get to come back here also if you need any help.

Lilsim89 --Thats my year. Wll walk on '07

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a problem with that
Jul 6, 2005 11:02PM PDT

Unless you can find a guide, I won't know how to use it!

Plus, I would rather start on Debian, which also requires some knowledge.

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o wait nm
Jul 6, 2005 11:29PM PDT

Did some poking around and will try to get gentoo.

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Speaking of guides
Jul 6, 2005 11:48PM PDT

I found all I needed at the public library, then bought the ones I found most helpful. chuck

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(NT) Best Free?
Jul 12, 2005 2:49AM PDT

That all fine and good and I think it is time I learned Linix, but where are these Free copies


Richard

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some free copies
Jul 13, 2005 6:14AM PDT
http://www.ubuntu.org will ship it to you for free if you can't download it. Most Linux distors are free, but some cut features on the free editions, like Xandros.

Also, check your local library for Linux books. Most Linux books will have a free Cd included. I got Red Hat Linux 8 bible and Moving to Linux: Kiss the blue screen of death goodbye. That's 2 OS with a guide for free!
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Don't go with Gentoo first
Aug 8, 2005 4:12AM PDT

I wouldn't recommend starting with Gentoo at first. It is intended for experts, and though it may teach you a whole lot, most people would probably give up during the process. Start with something easier, like Ubuntu maybe. People need some encouragement starting, and Gentoo certainly won't give you that. It takes a lot of "under-the-hood" knowledge of Linux. It might work, but I'm guessing it wouldn't.

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I Gentood All Over the Place
Aug 10, 2005 11:31AM PDT

Yeah, I made the big attempt to load Gentoo. I got as far as the tar-xjpf snapshot portage bit but unfortunately for myself and Gentoo they chose a lowercase "l" in the file name, which looked like the numeral "1" or capital "I". Half the problem was the UK LinuxForum magazine had other typos to further damage my ego. The Gentoo forums dutifully listed some of the errors and offered help but it was too much of my free time spent on free software.

I finally gave up and tried Ubuntu, which took all of 25 minutes to load. It sensed my SUSE distro on another HD and asked which drive to format before wreaking any havoc. It actually edited and updated my Grub bootloader to boot either distro-something that Windoze would never do. And as all the packages of software installed and flew by I realized I'd probably have been doing source installs on all that in Gentoo-my fingers and grainy eyes thanked me.

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re:
Aug 10, 2005 10:15PM PDT

Ubuntu is really nice.

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(NT) (NT) I ordered for Ubuntu and I'll see how that goes thx
Aug 17, 2005 10:36AM PDT
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I use Fedora Core 2 but would like to switch to Debian
Aug 18, 2005 4:59AM PDT

Yes, yes, I know I am behind the times, and I should be using FC4 at least, but I have everything set up (including wireless using the madwifi drivers) and it all works.

I have been running the Redhat flavor of Linux since version 5.1, and I am kind of used to the whole rpm thing. I must say that Redhat has improved tremendously in quality since RH 9.0 and then onto FC1 and FC2. On my desktop it detected /all/ my devices, only on my Toshiba Satellite laptop I had to go out and get the madwifi driver for the built-in Atheros 801.11abg wireless card. Installation has been a breeze since RH 9.0.

Since FC1, I have come out of "rpm hell" and have started using yum, which computes all the rpm dependencies for you.

I am planning to switch to Debian (sarge) though. The one major reason is that every time I have to upgrade my major distribution (from FC1 to FC2 for example), I have to make a backup and then reinstall the OS and restore. I suppose I should have partitioned off my drive into / and /home, but I havent done it.

Another thing I like about Debian (and I see it in FC2 as well) is that all the configuration files are under the /etc directory, so in the event of an OS re-install, you could simply back up your /etc to keep your configuration, provides a good starting point to customize your new installation.

I tried installing Debian when I wanted to upgrade from FC1 to FC2, I tried using the Prodigy disks I got at the local Fry's electronics ($20) but it turned out to be a disaster. Main reason is that I did not know much about the apt-get set of commands, and it was kind of late, so I did not fool around with it much, just went ahead and upgraded to FC2.

Plan to try Debian once again (instead of to FC4), this time with a CD I got from the Debian booth at LinuxWorld for a dollar... Happy.

So I guess my answer to your question would be FCx or Debian, whichever works for you.

Peace,
Tutenstein

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Slackware rocks
Sep 5, 2005 2:08PM PDT

If you have any DOS expeience go for slackware it gives you everything you need. Read some how-tos and man pages all included digitally or on the web and you are on your way.