I just started using Linux last week and I've changed my distro nearly every day.

I've tried..

Fedora Core 2
SuSE 9.1
Mandrake 9.2
Mandrake 10
Mandrake 10.1 Community

....but I still can't decide which to use. They all have things I like and don't like, and some have problems that others don't, for eg.

SuSE 9.1 no - 3D Acceleration
Mandrake 9.2 & 10 - No soundcard detected
Mandrake 10.1 - Soundcard detected and driver auto-installed but still not working right.

After browsing these forums for the last week looking for solutions I've noticed that the majority of people here have Slackware listed as their OS.

Is this a good distro for me to try? Is compatibility good? Is it easy to use?

Please let me know your suggestions.

Thanks!

> I just started using Linux last week and I've changed my distro nearly every day.
> I've tried..
> Fedora Core 2
> SuSE 9.1
> Mandrake 9.2
> Mandrake 10
> Mandrake 10.1 Community
> ....but I still can't decide which to use. They all have things I like and don't like, and some have problems that others don't, for eg.
> SuSE 9.1 no - 3D Acceleration
> Mandrake 9.2 & 10 - No soundcard detected
> Mandrake 10.1 - Soundcard detected and driver auto-installed but still not working right.

I remember Slackware does not have automatic 3D acceleration or sound card detection for you. Plus, it does not have GUI installation interface, package dependency check, and lots of other things included in other distributions...

> After browsing these forums for the last week looking for solutions I've noticed that the majority of people here have Slackware listed as their OS.

If you are a open-minded newbie and would like to learn everything from the scratch and quickly, I would suggest Slackware to you (frankly Slackware is my only choice of distro from the first day I touched Linux ;-)) Otherwise, go to pick another easy one, like Lindows, Xandros, Fedora...

> Is this a good distro for me to try? Is compatibility good? Is it easy to use?

Most distros are good distros. It's a matter of taste. For me, Slackware is the best, but I warn you it is not easy to use if you *think* GUI installer means easy to use...

> Please let me know your suggestions.
> Thanks!

Mandrake has the best hardware auto-detection of all distros. 9.x had the mute on by default. iunno why. Also, Mandrake is suggested by most for an easy to use Linux. They aim for ease of use. Slackware is the opposite. No config utilities. unless you call a text editor a config utility.

All distros work about the same tho. Don't switch your distro because a piece of hardware doesn't work. That's a whole other challenge. http://www.linuxhardware.net/

Good luck starting with the last OS you'll ever need... Unless your a big gamer. In my opinion, that's something for a good ol' modded Xbox, not a PC.

If wou came from a Windoze experience I recomend somethink like fedora, madrake, etc... Slackware isn't so intuitive and graphical as the others... but i think it is more simple. I mean... others distros do things "automatically" and shows you "just what you need', because were made for people that wants an alternative to windowz. If that is what you want, Mandrake is very nice and you will learn to use it quickly. If you want to learn how linux works.. I'd prefer Slackware.

To your question: yes and no

If you want a little hand holding from your distro, skip Slackware for a while. If, however, you don't mind being thrown in at the deep end, choose Slackware.

Slackware is a great distro, but relatively little is built in: if you want a firewall you have to either download one or write your iptables rules. If you want any software, you have to find it and install it - occasionally by hand.

But it is very rewarding and I, personally, find it hard to use anything else.

And if you REALLY "want to be thrown in at the deep end" you can try Gentoo Linux, http://www.gentoo.org Basically, its Linux built PURELY from scratch.
Suffice to say Slackware is to Gentoo what Suse, et. al. is to Slackware.
Enjoy.

Thanks for all your replies guys (and gals, if any)

I was getting really confused with the terminal / console coding stuff when trying to compile new software and also with dependences from RPM's.

I noticed that Mandrake does most of it for you so I have stuck with 10.1 Community where I can take my time learning all the commands for the Terminal.

However I still can't get the sound card working right, so any suggestions on this would be a great help!

Harddrake2 says:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Identification
Vendor: ATI
Description: IXP150 AC'97 Audio Controller
Media Class: MULTIMEDIA_AUDIO

Connection
Bus: PCI
Bus PCI#: 0
PCI device #: 20
PCI function #: 5
Vendor ID: 4098
Device ID: 17217
Sub vendor ID: 4156
Sub device ID: 107

Driver
Module: snd-atiixp
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To me all this is gobbledygook....
Does anyone know what the problem is?

I tried slackware first, but I didnt like alot of things and had found a few users ranting about Yoper's speed. Actually, Im finding yoper to be VERY easy, atleast compared to all the custom setup slackware needed from me. Try it if you feel intruiged, either you'll be glad you did or... you can add a distro to your list of attempts

Personally, I think Gentoo is the distro of choice. It's the best way to learn linux inside out (not thoroughly, but just the install process teaches you a ton). Not only that, but you can really optimize it and I've never gotten another distro to run faster

I also love the rc system Gentoo's got... no other distro feels comfortable now

Oh yeah, and then there's portage...

Gentoo is good, but for newbies, I don't think so.

I disagree. I think it teaches some great fundamentals you don't get when you have a point-and-click install. Its a lot to learn but it really builds a foundation for understanding Linux.

SuSE 9.1 has 3D acceleration, If you have an Nvidea video card, you just go into online update, select the Nvidea driver, update, then restart your computer

THat's what i did at least

I plan on switching distros eventually to Gentoo or slack.. However, i do love how SuSE is soo hardware friendly.. my digital camera that isn't supported by any linux drivers or official support is picked up by suse.. it's pretty cool

I struggled with it. I have an ATI Radeon Mobility 9000 IGP. I just kept telling me that 3D Acceleration is unavalible

I tried Slackware as my first distro. I got it configured and all -- took some effort, but it worked. Just for the heck of it, I decided to try Mandrake 10.0 just to get a taste of the other side of the spectrum, and man I'm glad I did. I'm still learning stuff about Linux and the console, but the dektop environment makes the experience a whole lot more comfortable. One day I'll give Slackware another go...but not right now, thanks.

well, if you put it that way, but how many newbies have the time to compile stuff and configure stuff from scratch. It's usually better for them to kearn Linux basics from another simple distro like Fedora or Mandrake and then use that knowledge to move to distros like gentoo, crux etc. I agree that if you really want to learn linux, distros like Slack, gentoo, etc are the ones to run.