which version of lunix?

[g-dogg]

Hi,
after trying windows for a couple of years i belive its time for "an alternative operating system" i wont talk about my experience with windows, but i just wanted your opinion on which version of lunix i should use as a neweb to try. I was looking at the Linspire os and it seemed pretty nice with the membership as i can download many software such as instant messengers, internet browser, an office application type of thing and even an emulator to play my windows games on linspire.

and thanks
g-dogg

[rspassey]

I like Ubuntu - comes packaged with lots of software
I also like DSL - great for one of my very old pcs (installed to the ram on it)

I would suggest starting off with live disks to 1) check the compatability with your hardware and 2) test which version you like 3) see if you really want to install it on your computer

I know a lot of people suggest Mandriva yet I have not tried it, you might want to check it out too.

[rjfvillarosa]

I am a bit of a fan of Ubuntu, it really is quite easy to use.
If you go here ( http://www.ubuntulinux.org/ ) you can download an install File or a live file which you can burn to CD, there is also an area to register, after which you can request copies of Ubuntu which they will send you free of charge.

[flcpge]

Besides Ubuntu and Mandriva, Suse is also good for beginners. I started on Mandrake (Mandriva) before moving to Debian and a little Gentoo. I think Ubuntu and Knoppix also make live cd's if you want to try, but not install Linux.

I've found that learning Linux required a lot of reading. But once learned, it's was very rewarding.

[rspassey]

Originally Posted by flcpge I've found that learning Linux required a lot of reading. But once learned, it's was very rewarding.

Learning Linux is something I really stil want to persue, like I suggested I really lke ubuntu; have used it on and off on a seperate computer, but I really need to make Linux my primary boot to be forced into learning other wise why would I play around on a 6 year old pc when I have mine to play around with and I know XP pretty darn well. I think that if you are serious about linux; then mess with live cds till you are satisfied witha disk (this is one of my projects over the summer).

[ffreeloader]

Learning Linux is something I really stil want to persue, like I suggested I really lke ubuntu; have used it on and off on a seperate computer, but I really need to make Linux my primary boot to be forced into learning other wise why would I play around on a 6 year old pc when I have mine to play around with and I know XP pretty darn well. I think that if you are serious about linux; then mess with live cds till you are satisfied witha disk (this is one of my projects over the summer).

I have found that live cd's, as good as they are, have some very real failings. It's no accident that as good as Knoppix is it is best known as a troubleshooting/repair tool.

Here's why. In learning Linux one of the things you have to learn is how to configure things. How to change things. Live cd's are not good for this because you always start in the same place whenever you log in. It's hard to use it to do any real work either unless you remount the drives on your computer as writeable. That's not exactly a task most newbies are comfortable with. It usually takes a while to know it's possible and then get up the nerve to start messing around with things like that.

A working install of Linux is there to play with and it doesn't make you start over. It doesn't keep you from working with the software and saving your everyday work and configuration changes. And, imo, that's what it really takes to get comfortable with Linux. It's seeing how well it does the every day chores and how customizable it is that makes a lot people believers. It's making your computer really your own that makes Linux so special, at least to me. Live cd's really don't allow a person to do that.

[Daggerfall_Addict]

Xandros is my favorite but its not free... Ubuntu Could learn a lot from xandros... I talked to a few ubuntu devs seems they really don't care about desktop Linux as much as corporate Linux... their goal is to get corporate adoption....

[Ind-PC_student]

wrong there is a limited feture open circulation edition on xandros 3.0 OCD

Came on the book ibought called "linux Made easy" by Rickford grant.

it also appeard on the linux format forgot what edition number that was.

[g-dogg]

So i finally got around downloading a copy of linspire 5.0 live, and to my surprise, it was as good as windows in gui, yet better in functionality, though i belive it was a little limited by the cd rom speed (boot up was a little slow) but it had many programs that were equivilant to windows, i liked it, i am thinking of putting it on a partition to get used to it, and soon move it to main os probably!

g-dogg

[Computer Hobbyist]

I have just installed Ubuntu. Good stuff. Highly recommended.

[digitalfreedom64]

All I can say is if you ever plan on playing a dvd movie don't get SUSE.

[rightcoast]

You may find this text file I wrote useful g-dogg. It leans toward a Unix education more than ease of use, so distro's like Xandros and Linspire were not mentioned. Personally, I feel Ubuntu is easier than either of the two anyway, and just as powerful as most "hard-core" distros, though not quite as lean or configurable.
http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=140715

[Dangermouse1]

Originally Posted by crashoverride All I can say is if you ever plan on playing a dvd movie don't get SUSE.

Although SUSE will not let you play a DVD as soon as you have downloaded it there are very quick and easy fixes for this. I have just installed SUSE 10 and after booting for the first time it took 5 mins to beable to play my DVD`s. If you need a link to the info for this I can find it for you.