Hey everyone!

Got a quick question here about Debian. I know that this build of Linux makes a great server, but what about as a workstation (like say Fedora Core or SUSE)?

I want to run Linux on my PC now instead of Windows (since all the aps that I needed windows for like photoshop etc are used on the Mac that I am buying).

Basically, I want to use server options (like Apache, MySQL, FTP, Email) but I dont want it to be a dedicated server. I want to run things like KDE/Gnome/other (I want to run the bloated fancy easy to use desktops on this machine ), Xine, XMMS, Linux Games, etc etc

Mike

I'm using Debian as my desktop...Actually, it's the only OS I run now...
I mainly write code on this machine, but I run KDE, XMMS, Apache, and a few games (of the things from your list).
Everything you need for a desktop is in this distro...

I use Debian for everything!

Debian is great for a server or desktop or both.

I run Debian on my main PC my laptop and all the network server I have. I use to run Slackware for everything but apt-get is just too awesome and those debian guys know wtf they are doing. Everything is run from unstable but don't let that mislead you. Unstable is generally pretty damn stable. I also run KDE and I have Gnome installed but don't really use it. I use the server to rip MP3's and run a music web service ( local LAN only ) and some other little things like simple ftp etc. Debian most definatley is a desktop OS but it's one that you will have to basically customize yourself. It will install everything for you and all the dependecies etc but you will have to make it " look nice " and customize it the way you want because it's pretty vanilla out of the box, I don't mind that. I do what I want, install what I want and forget about those rpm's. There is a large userbase out there for debian and some are snobs and some are very willing to help so you have to watch out for the uber-debian-user who thinks he is the sh**. I would suggest using the new test candidate 1 to install with. The installer has been much improved and at one point it will ask you to install a desktop base which loads Gnome and KDE both and mostly all that you need to get a running Linux desktop. It will take a couple installs though once you get the feel of it to get it just the way you want it but, the nice thing is once you have it installed the way you want, it will basically run forever without a reinstall unless you try pretty hard to break it using experimental sources or doing oddball stuff that you know could break your system. Anyways, hope you try it and really give it a go. You won't regret it.

I use debian as a desktop only. It's great, the package selection is huge and software is up to date and mostly stable. If you want to run a non mission-critical desktop I'd suggest using testing or unstable.

I have tried Collegelinux, Mandrake and Knoppix, but Debian itself is a great learning experience and very easy to use. Setting it up may prove difficult, but one does learn linux like that imo.

Sarge is a great desktop distro; just a few programs are not (yet) in the sarge pool, but installing a few non-debian packages next to hundreds of easy installable packages is pretty acceptable.

you might want to look at debian available packages on debian.org

I've tried several Linux distros and, in my opinion, Debian Sid is one of the best desktop systems availabe in Linux. The amount of software that is natively compiled for Debian (you can check them out here):

http://www.debian.org/distrib/packages

is simply awesome.

Some distros, like Xandros, may at first appear easier, but after you've tried one of these other distros, I recommend that you'll give the Debian proper a try.

Also the software in the other distros just isn't supported like it's supported in Debian. Go for Debian Sid, and you'll know that doing "apt-get -f upgrade" will most always fix any problems you have.

In Debian Sid (and the same pretty much applies to Sarge also) you'll get bugs fixed faster than in any other distro, especially if you report them:

http://www.debian.org/Bugs/

In my mind, this is a good reason to use Debian Sid (or Sarge).

PS. If you're worried about stability in Sid, you need to install the "apt-listbugs" package, which will warn you before installing packages with release-critical bugs filed against them.

Awsome thanks guys!

I have no quams with getting my hands dirty in the Linux game, as I am currently running a Debian Server, and have messed with all kinds of other distros out there.

I have to say I love this distro. It is the best I have ever used.

Mike

After trying many other distros Debian is the only one I use also. I don't even try other distros anymore. I've found what I like and what works, no need to search anymore as far as I'm concernd.

Isn't that the truth. All hail the great Ian Murdock for creating such a wonderful OS! But yeah Debian is perfect for the desktop. I have been using Deb as my only OS for desktop duties for almost two years. As soon as I experimented with Deb for a day I was hooked, addicted even. Almost contemplated going over to Arch Linux and FreeBSD but came right back home to Deb Sid. Absolutely wonderful OS.

Similar situation here also. Except I was using Debian for a while and decided to see if the "grass was greener" in FreeBSD land, although Daemon got a very good OS it just wasn't for me. I have tried many distros, many rpm & deb based ones and although Arch almost grabbed me away from my sweet Deb(nah just joking never can happen) at the end of the day she can't be beat and I haven't strayed since. I haven't even bothered to check out any other distro's such as Gentoo, or new versions of Fedora, Mandrake, or Suse. Deb does the job and does it well. Once you roll your own kernel the "Debian way" there is no need to cheat on Deb! EVER!