linux distro recommendations

obidon · **linux distro recommendations -** 08-16-2007, 05:23 AM

I was thinking of installing Linux on my XP. Any good distro recommendations?

sv87411 · 08-16-2007, 09:28 AM

I went from XP to Ubuntu recently. Initially as a dual boot, but then to force myself to learn Linux I converted my laptop completely. Some problems with hibernation and USB, but overall very happy and everything works fine.

Ubuntu 7.04 (also known as Feisty Fawn) works 'out of the box' for most people, but isn't as geeky and hands on as some would like.

I have also used Fedora and Debian in the past and both are good, but you need a bit more knowledge to get them (Debian more so) up and running.

This is a very good resource with some useful information
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

gargamel_sd · 08-16-2007, 10:19 AM

Ubuntu w/Beryl it's awesome eyecandy

stanna · 08-16-2007, 11:01 PM

im a ubuntu fan. after alot of playing around with redhat then fedora, iv settled on ubuntu, a great place to get used to the fun ness of linux, then settle in fully with ubuntu 7.04 ,., which has some of the beryl effects built into it now which is very pretty and amusing..

iv found the ubuntuforums.org to be a very useful and responsive resource and also the ubuntuguide.org for how-to's to get other things working. its great!.. go for a dual boot for awhile instead of installing it in a virtual machine.. youll get more out of it that way.. then if you wanted you can smash your xp partition on the head one day..

good luck mate.

njek · 08-17-2007, 02:28 PM

I suggest that you try Ubuntu or Fedora if you are new to Linux. Those distro's are user-friendly. If you read the docs it's pretty easy to install and use it. And remember: the Linux community is always willing to help when you have a problem.

glove1 · 03:38 AM

I highly recommend PCLinuxOS. The setup and installation were much easier in parts (for me) than Ubuntu was. Plus, it seemed to work better with my laptop's hardware -- but that is a real YMMV situation.

Ubuntu/Kubuntu are very easy and user friendly, as is Sabayon. The real advantage of Sabayon is that most of the cool Linux apps and GUI stuff are preinstalled with the distro -- the trade-off is that it takes a VERY long time to install.

mortmaru · 08-23-2007, 08:38 PM

Why not download a few LIVE disc and try a few different ones out before see which suits you best.

Ben_Dover · 08-25-2007, 06:04 PM

I also think you should try a live-cd first.
Ubuntu would be my first choice there (well actually kubuntu because I do like KDE better than gnome).
If you like what you are seeing you should also take a look at opensuse.

jordi · 08-28-2007, 12:04 AM

Ubuntu Or Knoppix !

Live CD first and after ... in HDD !

yahoo · 08-29-2007, 11:55 PM

I prefer Mandriva myself. Started back with Mandrake 9.0 (dolphin), which I loved. They had excellent system tweaking tools included with the installatio back then, then they slumped a bit towards system 'ease of use.' A good distro if you are at least a bit advanced with computers. Plus, they generally have a good community -- a better ratio of experts:newbies than most 'easy' distros (such as ubuntu or fedora) -- that means you're more likely (per user) to get good advice when posting a specific question, and there are a lot of varied tutorials with a nicely graded learning curve (no sudden jump from novice to expert level, bypassing intermediate levels, as is the case with fedora or ubuntu).

Plus, for a really low price (considerably less than your run-of-the-mill xp home), you can get excellent support, along with many tweaked drivers.