Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Best Linux distribution

Feb 20, 2012 6:01AM PST

I am wanting to replace my windows for Linux and was wondering: what is the best and easily configurable Linux distribuition for today?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
Most folk can't do that. Read link.
Feb 21, 2012 12:59AM PST
- Collapse -
Answer
Best Linux OS is..
Feb 21, 2012 1:40AM PST

for a netbook/laptop.... Ubuntu
for a desktop........... openSUSE
for a server workhorse.. FreeBSD
for a firewall/gateway.. PFsense

for a videogame loader.. windoze

- Collapse -
first things first
Jun 20, 2012 6:27PM PDT

there is no such thing as "best linux os."
linux is just a kernel with some software packages.
the "best linux install" will always be custom built and compiled with optimal settings from the ground up.

- Collapse -
(NT) I'd like to see a car made like that!
Jun 21, 2012 2:17AM PDT
- Collapse -
Answer
IMHO
Feb 24, 2012 12:54AM PST

Best for Desktop and Laptop is Mandriva, PCLOS or Mageia.

For servers you could use Mandriva with Webmin to create a home Server.
Mandriva also has a dedicated Enterprise Server.


Mandriva is pretty much all GUI and hardly no command line interface.

The Mandriva Control Center (aka MCC) is the closest that you are going to find to MS Control Panel

- Collapse -
Mandriva is dying/dead..
Feb 26, 2012 12:19PM PST

One would be foolish to adopt a Linux that has lost its financial support and is in its dying throes. It might work but there will be no support for problems going forward.

But, I agree that Mandriva is a nice distro.

- Collapse -
Answer
Windows replacement (best thing I ever did)
Jun 21, 2012 7:39PM PDT

I have been using Ubuntu for many years and it has never let me down; no blue screen of death, it has never crashed, it is very easy to use and as I do not play games it suits me fine, and it does not need activation. Nor does it send all my personal data back to microsoft. All our bank accounts are checked and operated through Ubuntu and I would not consider changing from Linux.
I am very grateful to all the people who have produced it over the years.
Hope this helps your decision making.
Drawstop.