Choosing My Distribution
 

Hi,

I am currently using Suse 10. I am fairly happy with it, but not 100% and I want to try another one.

Here are some of the key features I would like:
- Fairly well known (major programs have a version for it)
- Allows Firefox (preferably as its main browser)
- Looks like windows (with the bottom bar and a 'start' menu. KDE has this kinda look in a way. I don't mean the colours, I mean the start button kind of thing in the bottom left, programs appear on the taskbar. Not one in the top corner. I don't mind if it can be 'themed' to have that style.
- Fast
- Supports OpenOffice
- Wireless capabilities
- Easy to install (suse was great, i hardly had to do anything)
- Easy to update and configure installed programs
- Easy to install programs and rpms (i've heard that redhat is good for that. Suse is alright at installing RPMs, but i hate having to do the ./configure thing. I know all distrib have to do that, but surely there is an easier way
- User friendly. I am new to linux, I don't want to have to discover everything again. I think using suse has been a good intro.

If there is one that kind of fits what I'm after, please say it! I will download it and try.

If you think Suse is my best approach, then tell me how I can improve what I've got (There are pointers above suse isn't good with). Such as should I use gnome instead of KDE?

Thanks,

Are you using YaST to configure and install applications? I've found that it doesn't get much better than that for managing packages. Apart from that, perhaps you could be more specific in your list on where you feel Suse isn't covering your needs.

I've used or currently use Fedora, Debian, Gentoo, and Scientific. My opinions/experiences based on the distros I've tried:

Fedora, Debian, Gentoo are well known. I've also tried Scientific Linux, not so well known but Red Hat based. Let's eliminate Scientific.
I used Firefox in Fedora, Debian, and Gentoo. It's my default in Fedora and Debian.
Both KDE and GNOME allow you to reposition the task bar. Both can be used in Fedora, Debian, or Gentoo.
This is relative. I'm not unhappy with the performance of Fedora, Debian, or Gentoo.
Let's see...Fedora, Debian, Gentoo.
Sorry, don't use it. I'd guess Fedora, Debian, and Gentoo all have wireless capabilities.
Once again, this is relative. I thought Fedora, Debian, and Gentoo were all easy to install. Others may disagree. Twisting my arm, I would say Gentoo was the most difficult, then Debian, then Fedora. Since you compile everything in Gentoo, let's throw it out.
Fedora -> yum update
Debian -> apt-get upgrade
Also, both have GUI package managers so you don't have to use the CLI.
Fedora -> yum install 'program'
Debian -> apt-get install 'program'
This is assuming that when you say rpm, you mean precompiled packages. Debian can, but doesn't by default, use rpm packages. However, there are more packages available for Debian.

Never used SuSE, so I really can't make a comparison. I started using Fedora, then tried Debian. Things are different between distros. You'll need to get used to them, but we're not talking about months or even weeks.

Go here and shop around.

Moved: This thread is more suitable in Linux-Distributions and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

Thanks for that, I will probably try fedora and debian at some point :)

Kubuntu would be your best bet. I have tried RPM based distros and IMO they suck. Debs are far more superior than RPMs.

I don't agree that debs are better or worse than rpms, it depends on the packager, and how well dependencies are taken care of.

PCLinuxOS seems to meet your requirements, it's a KDE-centric distro, with the new convert from Windows in mind. It has a control centre, so you don't have to do too much by text-edit, and many wifi interfaces are found and setup automatically (though of course not all).

It is strong on Multimedia etc. It has a great help community at its site, where we have two fundamental rules: 1 - Nobody must have a pop at new linux users and 2 - don't bash other distros.

Ubuntu or Kubuntu are a solid choice as well ;)

Pretty much any of the major distros will fill your stated requirements including SuSE. Take a look at Mepis, it may be what you are looking for.

PCLinuxOS....even simpler than SimplyMepis, which could be choice #2

Pclinux is what replaced my Suse install. I am able to play 5 dvd movies at the same time and use Firefox too.. I loaded the PCgamer version and that came with a ton of 3d games too. The pacage management is by far and away easier to use, yast was a pain.
To load the dvd library was one click.

I found the best way to use Suse was to format it off my drive.

Good luck.

The best solution is to take a look at distrowatch and try a few distros (probably the ones in the top 10) and then stick with the one you like. Distrowatch has a list of features in each distro and the versions of packages so you should be able to tell whether it is a potential candidate for you. The problem with your question is that usually it invites replies which are biased towards a users favourite distro/s as shown in statements such as
No doubt Kubuntu is good, but the rest of the stemement is questionable since a distros performance usually has nothing to do with the type of packages it uses.