8 replies to this topic

[RyGuy]

I don't have a question for Linux, but rather what kind of Linux should I get. I already have a live CD for Ubuntu, which is great, except it's a live CD, and I'm looking to install an OS on a computer. I know there are tons of versions of Linux, some are listed here.
Linux Website
But I don't know which to use and I don't feel like wasting CDs. So if anyone has experience with Linux, and what version is good for what, let me know please.

[BeefontheBone]

Well, I use an unstable build of Debian, mainly because my housemate's familiar with it and it supports my relatively new hardware (for the most part). I don't think I'd recommend it to someone who didn't have a Linux whizz in the house, though, it can be a bit nebulous. Ubuntu is a pretty standard choice for a first distro, and as you've been using it already it's probably not a bad idea to stick with that unless you've some objection to it. To be honest, you'll find it's your choice of packages more than distro that affects your experience with it, with the possible exception of RedHat.

[Potatoe]

Installing Ubuntu:
1. Boot from the disk(make sure you have enough free memory).
2. Double-click the installer(should be on the desktop)
3. Follow instructions and finish the install.
4. Enjoy your Ubuntu.

[MdaG]

I second using Ubuntu. I doubt you'll have any trouble with it. The only issue I've had with Ubuntu is with my wireless connection, but that's because there are no native  linux drivers for my wireless network card. It's easily remedied by using a wrapper software in combination with the windows drivers and rip the firmware manually. Still it's usually a hassle for the "average" user. If you're used to tinkering you won't have any trouble.

[RyGuy]

Yes I'm a bit of a tinkerer. I ended up installing Ubuntu as a secondary OS, because that's what was working today. I would love to use Ubuntu as a primary system, but all my stuff that I've downloaded is Windows only, and I don't have the room to reinstall the stuff in Linux. I ordered some Kubuntu cd's because I'm told it's "better" while speaking to some people about this. So I'm going to compare the two. But it does work, and it's not too complex or anything.

Thanks, and if anyone else is interested in Linux.

Ubuntu Homepage         |     Link for Ubuntu CDs
Kubuntu Homepage       |   Link for Kubuntu CDs

[Potatoe]

Be sure to tell us what you think. I need to install Ubuntu again, but maybe I should install Kubuntu.

[RyGuy]

Well I really need a new hard drive because at the moment my Ubuntu is limited to about # GB which isn't nearly enough. (My main hd crashed a while ago, and now I'm running off a 10 year old 8 GB, with 4GB dedicated to Windows...)The OS however runs flawlessly, except I don't know what to do with it! Because I have all my stuff on my Windows partitions and such I've yet to find something to do with Linux. Having trouble trying to install an mp3 player as well. But if you know what you're doing with Linux, Ubuntu seems to be a good choice. I'll let you know about Kubuntu when I get the CDs.

[MdaG]

I prefer Ubuntu since it uses the GNOME desktop environment. Kubuntu uses KDE as its desktop environment. It just a matter of taste. In general KDE takes more machine power but is prettier on the eyes and uses the "k"-softwares instead of the "gtk"-software which is common to GNOME.

GNOME
KDE

[RyGuy]

Well I've got Kubuntu on the way so I'll be able to compare the two. I heard that KDE was faster, which is probably why it uses more power. However I uninstalled Ubuntu because there was too little space for me to do anything with it.   I'll reinstall when I get a new hard drive.