Which Linux?

blix9 · Jan 19, 2003, 06:13 AM

I am a total newbie for Unix/Linux environment. I am supposed to get familiar with it as I take this computer science class. I wish to have a hard drive dedicated to Unix OS and learn this thing in depth from the beginning.
Somebody please give me wise advise about which Linux distribution I should get.

Thanks.

ToshiroOC · Jan 19, 2003, 06:21 AM

I would personally suggest getting Red Hat Linux - I am currently using it, and while other distributions may have lots of other highlights and all, from slackware/debian's great customizibility (read: difficult) to Mandrake's easy beginner's Linux (read: bankrupt), I think that Red Hat is simply the best one out there for total newbies. That isn't to say that there isn't a very steep learning curve (there is, and I'm still struggling with it), but it is lessened a bit, especially during Red Hat installation. If you want a book to explain Red Hat too, I would recommend Red Hat Linux <insert version here> Bible, by Christoper Negus. It's pretty useful for easing the transition from Windows to Linux...

UberLord · Jan 19, 2003, 11:34 AM

RedHat is good. Mandrake may be easier but it's more klunky when you want to start tinkering internally

radTube · Mar 11, 2003, 09:30 AM

They're both 'klunky' as hell, but you can always move on to a real linux distro later when you get the hang of it

. If you really want to learn linux, there are distros that are much better suited for the job (Gentoo is my weapon of choice), but RH or MDK will get you started.

UberLord · Mar 11, 2003, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by radTube
They're both 'klunky' as hell, but you can always move on to a real linux distro later when you get the hang of it . If you really want to learn linux, there are distros that are much better suited for the job (Gentoo is my weapon of choice), but RH or MDK will get you started.

Right tool for the right job. Learning linux shouldn't require broadband, a fast PC and compiling programs which is a requirement for Gentoo. Very nicely put together distro though - but deffo not for the newbie.

radTube · Mar 13, 2003, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by UberLord
Right tool for the right job. Learning linux shouldn't require broadband, a fast PC and compiling programs which is a requirement for Gentoo. Very nicely put together distro though - but deffo not for the newbie.

I agree completely. I thought I said exactly that. Mandrake or Red Hat are fine to start learning with.

Impulse · Mar 20, 2003, 12:59 PM

I personally recommend Linux Redhat, Gentoo and Slackware distrobutions. But my favorite is Gentoo, out of all the other distro's.

NINintothevoid · May 2, 2003, 01:58 AM

if you are just going to mess around with it to get used to the file structure, etc., play around with a cd-rom based distro such as knoppix. If you want to get used it and use it in a dual boot situation or as your main operating system, i would definitely say go slackware. Mandrake and Redhat do a lot more stuff for you, but I found it to be a pain compiling stuff for it, and rpms are a nightmare. Once i had everything configured in slackware, everything went smoothly, plus i got a hell of a lot more used to doing stuff in linux such as editing conf files and tweaking XFree86.

Goalie_Ca · May 3, 2003, 05:22 PM

Gentoo is by far my fav distro. Nothing compares. It takes some time to install but most of its automated. You'll probably learn a lot more about linux that way, very very good docs, than any other n00b distro.

grog · May 15, 2003, 05:51 AM

It really depends on what they are using Linux for.

I know a lot of text books on learning C++ these days assume you are using the GNU C compiler.
I do a lot with Linux, but I also use the GNU C compiler even when not in a pure Linux enviorment.
The cygwin project allows a lot of the linux enviorment to run under Win32 enviorment. I am very impressed with how far the package has come.

http://www.cygwin.com

I have WinXP PRO running the cygwin enviorment and I can run "X" enviorment, compile "C" and "C++" programs with the GNU compiler. One of the C++ books I have included a CD which all the application examples compile just fine. I use BASH and the GNU EMACS editor and other common GNU tools.

So if you do not have a spare partition and what you doing is releated to the compiler not the full pure Linux enviorment this may be a good option for you.

Greg

Quote:

Originally posted by blix9
I am a total newbie for Unix/Linux environment. I am supposed to get familiar with it as I take this computer science class. I wish to have a hard drive dedicated to Unix OS and learn this thing in depth from the beginning.
Somebody please give me wise advise about which Linux distribution I should get.

Thanks.

cowgaR · May 31, 2003, 01:56 PM

try to look on that link

http://www.distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major

personnaly, i would tell you to avoid RH(really bad distro in my point of view), Slackware(its getting worser...Gentoo rolling over it), and debian(stable but outdated, horrible install).

as a newbie there is allways just one distro you would like, its Mandrake linux, Personnaly I am a SUSE fan, but mandrake has some good configs you would like to take to other distro =))

AzErdos · Jun 14, 2003, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cowgaR
debian(stable but outdated, horrible install).

not only the stable version exist. Try to use the sarge or sid branch. They are the testing and unstable branch respectively.
The sarge branch contains newer stuff, thus it's quite optimal to use, or the adventurous can even try sid. I'm using it since it's been opened, and I can say it's stable enough to be used daily.
Horrible install? ;] Well, yes. It's text based. So what? You can read. That's the most it requires. (Sarge will have a new installation system with the eye candy everyone is longing for)
If you're not afraid from your own shadow, you can give Debian a try too.

Just my $.02

Malus · Jun 15, 2003, 07:41 PM

Currently I'm running Slackware with the 2.5.70 kernel. I tried Gentoo, but after taking like three days to setup the system for a minimal performance increase, I decided to stick with Slack. I'm happily running with Alsa and Direct Rendering (3D acceleration) support.

greenze · Jun 28, 2003, 10:44 AM

red hat............

JustaGuy · Jun 30, 2003, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Malus
Currently I'm running Slackware with the 2.5.70 kernel. I tried Gentoo, but after taking like three days to setup the system for a minimal performance increase, I decided to stick with Slack. I'm happily running with Alsa and Direct Rendering (3D acceleration) support.

Well, in 3 days I read the docs, learned how to install Gentoo, installed the kernel, Xfree86, Alsa, the ATI drivers for my card, KDE, Gnome... And I did this with a few kernel recompiles, since I was a bit new to it by then and did not know what options to choose...

Gentoo is an investment. You invest a few days on installing a system you'll never have to reinstall... Not if you don't screw up anyway

You just reinstall individual packages, if you want to and when you want to, not because another version of Gentoo is out (in fact, the only thing different from one Gentoo version to the other is the "installer", because if you install any Gentoo and do a "emerge -up world", there you go, you've got the latest stable version).

And yes, you do get that extra speed, but I see it more as a bonus rather than the reason to install Gentoo.

Just to clarify a few misconceptions about Gentoo.

Malus · Jul 2, 2003, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JustaGuy
Well, in 3 days I read the docs, learned how to install Gentoo, installed the kernel, Xfree86, Alsa, the ATI drivers for my card, KDE, Gnome... And I did this with a few kernel recompiles, since I was a bit new to it by then and did not know what options to choose...

Gentoo is an investment. You invest a few days on installing a system you'll never have to reinstall... Not if you don't screw up anyway You just reinstall individual packages, if you want to and when you want to, not because another version of Gentoo is out (in fact, the only thing different from one Gentoo version to the other is the "installer", because if you install any Gentoo and do a "emerge -up world", there you go, you've got the latest stable version).

And yes, you do get that extra speed, but I see it more as a bonus rather than the reason to install Gentoo.

Just to clarify a few misconceptions about Gentoo.

Three days is too much if you need the PC. Also, it wouldn't properly download certain packages, ncurses being one of them. If I had a faster computer, then it might be worth it.

I personally prefer Slack, since I can update the kernel myself, compile the code myself (which is way more techie than letting emerge do it for you), and install it in under a half-hour if I manage to hose the system.

To each his own. . .

JustaGuy · Jul 6, 2003, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Malus
... compile the code myself (which is way more techie than letting emerge do it for you). . .

So let me get this straight, you're saying that doing a

./configure
make
make install

is more techie than just emerging the package?

Jan 19, 2003, 06:13 AM	#1
blix9 DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 315 Rep Power: 0	Which Linux? I am a total newbie for Unix/Linux environment. I am supposed to get familiar with it as I take this computer science class. I wish to have a hard drive dedicated to Unix OS and learn this thing in depth from the beginning. Somebody please give me wise advise about which Linux distribution I should get. Thanks.

Jan 19, 2003, 06:21 AM	#2
ToshiroOC Unbiased. Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 4,812 Rep Power: 0	I would personally suggest getting Red Hat Linux - I am currently using it, and while other distributions may have lots of other highlights and all, from slackware/debian's great customizibility (read: difficult) to Mandrake's easy beginner's Linux (read: bankrupt), I think that Red Hat is simply the best one out there for total newbies. That isn't to say that there isn't a very steep learning curve (there is, and I'm still struggling with it), but it is lessened a bit, especially during Red Hat installation. If you want a book to explain Red Hat too, I would recommend Red Hat Linux <insert version here> Bible, by Christoper Negus. It's pretty useful for easing the transition from Windows to Linux... __________________ [img][/img] [color=White]Peace be with you, Joe.[/color] Driverheaven Staff Member (Supermoderator)

Jan 19, 2003, 11:34 AM	#3
UberLord A Legend in Underwear Join Date: May 2002 Location: Unknown Posts: 5,255 Rep Power: 0	RedHat is good. Mandrake may be easier but it's more klunky when you want to start tinkering internally __________________ Gentoo Linux - Developer (baselayout) Read my blog "I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." Stephen Roberts

Mar 11, 2003, 09:30 AM	#4
radTube just keepin' it cool Join Date: May 2002 Location: Finland Posts: 228 Rep Power: 0	They're both 'klunky' as hell, but you can always move on to a real linux distro later when you get the hang of it . If you really want to learn linux, there are distros that are much better suited for the job (Gentoo is my weapon of choice), but RH or MDK will get you started. __________________ [color=orange] [/color]

May 2, 2003, 01:58 AM	#8
NINintothevoid DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0	if you are just going to mess around with it to get used to the file structure, etc., play around with a cd-rom based distro such as knoppix. If you want to get used it and use it in a dual boot situation or as your main operating system, i would definitely say go slackware. Mandrake and Redhat do a lot more stuff for you, but I found it to be a pain compiling stuff for it, and rpms are a nightmare. Once i had everything configured in slackware, everything went smoothly, plus i got a hell of a lot more used to doing stuff in linux such as editing conf files and tweaking XFree86. __________________ Specs: Windoze XP Athlon XP 1800+ KG7-RAID Mobo 512 2100 DDR Ram Radeon 9600 pro SB LIVE 5.1

Mar 20, 2003, 12:59 PM	#7
Impulse l33t Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 248 Rep Power: 0	I personally recommend Linux Redhat, Gentoo and Slackware distrobutions. But my favorite is Gentoo, out of all the other distro's.

May 3, 2003, 05:22 PM	#9
Goalie_Ca DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 11 Rep Power: 0	Gentoo is by far my fav distro. Nothing compares. It takes some time to install but most of its automated. You'll probably learn a lot more about linux that way, very very good docs, than any other n00b distro.

May 31, 2003, 01:56 PM	#11
cowgaR DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2003 Location: Slovakia Posts: 11 Rep Power: 0	try to look on that link http://www.distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major personnaly, i would tell you to avoid RH(really bad distro in my point of view), Slackware(its getting worser...Gentoo rolling over it), and debian(stable but outdated, horrible install). as a newbie there is allways just one distro you would like, its Mandrake linux, Personnaly I am a SUSE fan, but mandrake has some good configs you would like to take to other distro =))

Jun 15, 2003, 07:41 PM	#13
Malus BSD SMASH! Join Date: May 2002 Location: A rabbit hole. . . Posts: 1,170 Rep Power: 0	Currently I'm running Slackware with the 2.5.70 kernel. I tried Gentoo, but after taking like three days to setup the system for a minimal performance increase, I decided to stick with Slack. I'm happily running with Alsa and Direct Rendering (3D acceleration) support. __________________ quad (FreeBSD/amd64 8-CURRENT): Intel Q6600 - Asus P5E-VM HDMI - 2x2 GB Kingston PC6400 DDR2 Ram - Seagate 320GB 7200RPM HD - 2xSeagate 1TB 7200RPM HD in RAID 1 via ZFS - Lite-On 20x DVD Multi Recorder - Coolermaster Centurion 5 router (FreeBSD/amd64 8-CURRENT): Intel E4500 - Intel D945GCNL - 2 GB PC6400 Mushkin Ram - Lite-On 48x24x48x16 - Seagate 320GB 7200RPM HD - Silverstone SST-SG02-F wanderer (FreeBSD/i386 7-CURRENT): Lenovo Thinkpad T61p mini (OS X 10.5): Intel Core 2 Duo @ 1.8Ghz, 4 GB Mushkin PC5400 Ram - Headroom MicroDAC Portable sound: Rockboxed iPod Video -> Westone UM2's Not-So-Portable Sound: Headroon MicroDAC -> Singlepower PPX3-SLAM -> Grado RS-1's or Beyerdynamic DT-880's Very-Not-Portable-Sound: Squeezebox v3 -> Denon AVR-1507 -> B&W 683's & Sunfire HRS-10

Jun 28, 2003, 10:44 AM	#14
greenze DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 39 Rep Power: 0	red hat............