"Which Distribution" threads
 

(Note: If you have no sense of humor and/or can't laugh at yourself, stop reading right here and go to another thread)

Am I the only one who is tired of "which distro is right for you" and "which distro is the best" threads being started EVERY SINGLE DAY? Do we really need a poll every couple of weeks where members can carry on their flame wars where they blindly follow Distro X, Y, or Z, not realizing that other people simply want to pick the right tool for a given job?

Are you sick of elitists who think that only their distribution should be allowed, and should be THE standard, and that other distributions/window managers/program foo should be dropped in favor of their pet favorite?

I'd like to invite other members to participate in an effort for just one week. All I am asking for is ONE WEEK -- of not starting, participating in, responding to, or otherwise getting involved in the "which distribution" topics which are so obviously started as a form of prosyletizing.

So you like Mandrake/Slackware/Fedora/Suse/Linspire/Foo/Bar the best - that's wonderful. You're not going to convince me that RedHat's work is worth a darn, and I'm not going to convince you that a "Bloated" distro such as Suse or Mandrake is good for users, because our opinions simply differ. Unless you're honestly looking for advisement as to which distribution you should run ( in which case check out http://www.distrowatch.com or use the Search link, above, to read through the countless already-existent threads beating that dead horse ), why post those threads in thinly-veiled attempts at prosyletizing?

Also I'd like to invite moderators to sponsor this week's vacation from the distribution flame wars and to direct newbies to already-existent threads or to distrowatch. Why? Because these threads are unproductive and only spawn flamebait and occasional actual flame wars.

Just my $.02, you don't have to but it would be great if everyone could take a break from the bickering. :)

My opinion: Loudly proclaiming 'your' distro as the best is futile at best, and destructive at worst. It is counterproductive to the entire FOSS movement. Most distro's are free, the rest are low-cost. Try a couple, and stick with what you like. Don't dis someone else because they don't use your distro. Respect that others are different and let them be....

Look at my profile... I currently run 4 different Linux distros and 3 different UNIX OSs. Why? Because they are *all* cool in their own different ways. Viva la choice...

This is like agreeing that Ben and Jerry make the best ice cream, then getting in a flamewar over which flavour is best. Totally pointless to waste time on such a subjective thing.

Getting in a flamewar over distros is a sure-fire way to get yourself labeled as a lamer. Don't be a lamer...

Ok, I will bite, as of now, I will not participate in this thread. See, that was easy.

I dont really care

at least people are talking about Linux
they just need to start channelling their energies to something more productive, like introducing their friends to Linux.

live long and prosper
floppy

I introduce my friends to Linux! :)

I recently made a public appeal to people to stop responding to Linux vs. Windows threads. That only provoked others to respond vehemently to my view.

:D See how far you get with this one.

I do agree that the "Which Distro" threads are often redundant.

Most newbies want an easy to use distro that works out-of-the-box and is usable by must-use-mouse ex-Windows users.

Hence I answered a ton of them with posts saying "Try Knoppix!".

I gave up after a point since I was just repeating myself over and over.


Dispite previous posts, dispite Linux.org's descriptions of the distros, dispite Distrowatch they will still ask.


It's a simple formula:

1. Windows does everything hardware-wise behind the scenes or with simple (dumb) dialogs.
2. Most Windows users use the Start Menu for everything and never use the prompt or My Computer.
3. These people see Linux requiring lots of fancy command-line stuff and recoil.
4. Then they pray there's a "does everything for you" distro, and naturally want someone to find it for them since they are so unaccostumed to doing the footwork themselves.



I know that sounds harsh, and is too generalized, but considering I know people that use Windows daily and still don't know what the Start Menu is I'd say it's a fair average. ;)

if batman made a linux, that would be my favorite.