I need to migrate off of Ubuntu because it doesn't offer packages I need, My friend suggested Gentoo but I have no freakin clue on how to install it...Anybody know of a good, Linux distro that offers preinstalled GCC packages, Open office, firefox, GAIM, and either GNOME, XFCE or fluxbox?


-Jon

What packages do you need? I found this http://ubuntuguide.org/ . Just search the page for " How to apt-get the easy way (Synaptic)? ". It is about 2/3 of the way down the page. It tells you how to install extra software on Ubuntu. It explains how to install extra software on Ubuntu.

If you are looking for a easy to install and click and run type distro, try Suse. I tried Suse 10 out and was inpressed with the hardware detection. It is a little sluggish though.

Oh, I just want to get off Ubuntu. I really don't like it. I hear a lot about SuSe but the only logical way i've seen to get it is buy buying it or getting OpenSuSe...


Oh I also need GRUB available in the installation too.

Actually, if you download the SuSE Evaluation version, it's pretty much almost the same thing as the retail version, minus a few packages that you can easily install though YaST and an online repository. Unfortunately, I think one of those package sets would be XFCE, but GNOME for sure is included.

They have an update to OpenOffice, so you'll get version 2.0. You also get GAIM, Firefox, GCC, etc. There's a LOT of software included, just select what you want during the installation.

And to top things off, SuSE installs GRUB by default, so you'd be set there.

Hope that helps!

I'll think about it, I came across Slackware. Any good? I hear it was the first GUI distro.

I didn't want to go on a Slackware rant, but you asked. lol

Personually, I think Slackware is the best distro period. It is simple (once you learn where things are) and very stable. Pat (the maintainer) doesn't put cutting edge software out. His philosiphy is simplicity, security and stability.

You have to edit config files, but what you learn is well worth the effort. The Slackware forum is is probually the best around. If you decide to download it, all you need is the first 2 CDs.

I have set up servers and desktops using RH, Mandrake, Suse and Slackware. By far, I feel that Slackware is the best all around distro.

Forgot, if you want a GUI after the install. Run xorgconfig and answer the questions, then type startx.

maybe you would like to try Arch Linux.

The place to start is with a matter-of-fact evaluation of what you need (and do not now have .. make sure you don't!) in a Linux distribution.

If there is a particular package that you require, then it may be possible to manually install that package, where it will probably wind up in /usr/local/... and where, usually, it will quietly supersede and happily coexist with whatever the distro-provider normally has supplied.

In other words, before dumping the baby and the bathwater, carefully consider your options ... just how radical a change is actually required to get you from where you are right now to where you want to be. Maybe you'll find that you don't need to make a radical change at all, but only a small one.

Nah, you don't wanna install Slackware right now. You should try 10 or 12 other distros first. Work with them. Configure them (or try to). Slackware works too well and is far too stable for you. You won't like it. Once you get it set up, there's nothing to do except use it. Where's the fun in that?

Ok, for the dense, that was humor.

Slack is stable and easy if you don't mind a bit of hands-on work to configure a couple of things. It really isn't as hard as some make it out to be.

But then, it may not be for you. (can't imagine that). Try it. If you like it, stick with it. If not, try something else. Different distros for different folks.

yeah gave heard alot of good feedback on slackware

I agree with all the above. I learned on Slackware 3.4 and still stick with it today. It is a wonderful learning platform. With everything required to get it running and keep it running, you gather alot of knowledge. Try it, but don't be scared of console.