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Linux - Distributions This forum is for Distribution specific questions.
Red Hat, Slackware, Debian, Novell, LFS, Mandriva, Ubuntu, Fedora - the list goes on and on... Note: An (*) indicates there is no official participation from that distribution here at LQ.

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Old 11-02-2004, 10:05 PM   #1
NintendoFan
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Registered: Nov 2004
Posts: 17

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What Distribution for me?


I've decided to try Linux out on my Desktop. So I will partition my drive and have XP and Linux.
I am going to go backup my data, (Incase something goes wrong when I partition, and I should have backups anyway.)
Well, As I am doing that, can people reply and say what the best distribution for me would be? Please, as many people respond with facts and opinions as possible.
These are what I am looking for:
1.) It HAS to be able to connect to the internet through my wireless internet connection. Upstairs I have a DSL modem connected to a LinkSYS Wireless router, which sends the connection to me downstairs through a little antenna. (Is this even possible in Linux, if it isn't, I guess Linux is pointless for me.)
2.) I am not a programmer, I don't need a linux distribution that is mainly for programmers.
3.) I would like it to have a nice looking interface. If you could provide screenshots of the distribution(s) you think are best, that would help.

That's it. Any suggestions on this would help. Please, as many people respond as can.

Thanks
 
Old 11-02-2004, 10:08 PM   #2
secesh
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Registered: Sep 2004
Location: Savannah, GA
Distribution: Ubuntu, Gentoo, Mythbuntu, ClarkConnect
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slackware -- good, solid. use kde, see screenshots @ kde-look.org

i've run a fair-few distros, and redhat is very user friendly, but i don't like how they tend to do things a little uniquely...
 
Old 11-02-2004, 11:23 PM   #3
NintendoFan
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Registered: Nov 2004
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Slackware does sound good.
I seem to have it narrowed down to Slackware or Mandrake. But when I just went to the Mandrake site, it says I have to sign up for their membership if I download Mandrake.
I guess Linux is becoming a paid OS.
I guess I have to download Slackware. Unless someone recommends something else.
How is Suse and Red Hat. Is Slackware better than them?
Remember I am a complete beginner.

Last edited by NintendoFan; 11-02-2004 at 11:24 PM.
 
Old 11-03-2004, 10:16 AM   #4
cyto
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Registered: Aug 2004
Location: London
Distribution: FreeBSD 6.0, Freebsd 5.3, Freebsd 4.10, SuSE 9.2 pro, Slackware 10.1, FreeBSD 5.4 RC3
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Slackware is a great distro. You will learn more while using slackware than while using some other distro. But if u looking for a widows like distro, u could try SuSE linux. Try to get Professional one. I use Slackware 10.0 for my server. I had SuSE pro 9.0 dvd version, i bought it from Ebay.co.uk. I use Mandrake linux 10.1 community edition for my desktop. I gave up SuSE, because i need more control, of course SuSe have good control too. But i could find any good tutorial in English. So give it a try. Cheers
 
Old 11-05-2004, 07:09 AM   #5
sether
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Quote:
Originally posted by NintendoFan
But when I just went to the Mandrake site, it says I have to sign up for their membership if I download Mandrake.
I guess Linux is becoming a paid OS.
mandrake is free: http://iso.linuxquestions.org/version.php?version=71
 
Old 11-05-2004, 08:43 AM   #6
leadsling
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Registered: Nov 2003
Location: Savannah, GA
Distribution: Mandriva 2008, Vector 5.8 VM
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If you are brand new to Linux use Mandrake first. It is very easy to install and setup, but you have access to all the tools that make Linux so powerful. Slackware is a very good distro, and I use it on my laptop, but I can't imagine going straight to Slack when I first started with Linux.
 
Old 11-05-2004, 09:53 AM   #7
reddazz
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Registered: Nov 2003
Location: N. E. England
Distribution: Fedora, CentOS, Debian
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Slackware is good, but for a newbie, you may have a lot of problems manually configuring your system. Mandrake would be the ideal choice for you and then once you feel comfortable with Linux you can the try out other distros. Suse and Fedora are also good for newbies and the new Suse 9.2 has been optimised for wireless networking according to the info on it's website. You don't have to pay to download Mandrake, but if you want preferential treatment and access to the latest software and promotions, you can join the Mandrake Club.
 
Old 11-06-2004, 05:36 AM   #8
cyto
Member
 
Registered: Aug 2004
Location: London
Distribution: FreeBSD 6.0, Freebsd 5.3, Freebsd 4.10, SuSE 9.2 pro, Slackware 10.1, FreeBSD 5.4 RC3
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If u wanna learn linux, try slackware. If u just wanna try linux, try SuSE pro or Mandrake . I prefer SuSE to mandrake. It has more programs than Mandrake.
 
Old 11-06-2004, 05:46 AM   #9
n0sr
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Registered: Sep 2004
Location: 127.0.0.1
Distribution: Slackware 13; Ubuntu Raspberry Pi OS
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Well, I started using Linux when it was Linus's project in the mid 90's. There wasn't any other distribution out there! I think my first try had about 12 diskettes for the whole distribution.

I have to say I'm partial to Slackware because of that. Even for a guy who didn't know anything about it, it wasn't too bad.

If you use Slackware, start out with the basics and work your way up to the big stuff.

I bought some books too, Unix for Dummies was actually *very* helpful. I graduated up to the O'reilly series with the light topics: Internet Security, Sendmail and some others
 
Old 12-11-2005, 07:20 PM   #10
jacook
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Registered: Nov 2005
Location: Townsville, Australia
Distribution: PCLinuxOS .93 Junior
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Nintendofan,

Mandrake

http://frontal2.mandriva.com/en/downloads/mirrors

I like this distro because it has Great Multimedia, easy install and ease of use everything you are looking for in A Linux distro

Jake
 
  


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