Hello all,
I have a Lenovo T400s laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo SP9600 CPU), and I want to run Linux from Win7, using virtualization (I'll probably use vmware workstation).
I'm a total newbie and need your advice
I have just some modest requirements:
1. I'd like Linux to recognize my 64-bit CPU and 4GB RAM
2. I'd like to work with easy to use (renaming, copying, moving etc.) folders/files that'll be recognized by windows and linux at the same time.
3. I do most of my work with Unix commands (through a shell, if that's the term used), so I need something that has that and is easy to use
4. I'd like Linux to be lean and fast = less CPU/RAM needs, I don't need lots of apps inside it, don't need office apps, etc. Basically, it's for data analysis and graphic display of results. The rest I'll do with windows.
5. I need it to be stable, relatively safe, and as much similar to windows as possible (lazy newbie that I am)

What is the best version/distro/edition Linux for me?

Thanks so much for your help!

Most distributions do
This isn't really an issue so much for the Linux distribution itself, as for your vmware setup.
Virtually any Linux distribution will have a range of terminal emulators (the program that provides a command line window in the GUI) you can use.
Your last two statements make me think of Vector Linux. The Standard Edition is probably more Windows-like and has low resource demands, while the Light Edition needs even less resources. Both should be easy to install.

However, it's not one of the distros that really sets out to copy Windows.

There are some totally different options you could consider. I've never used any of these, so I don't know how good or bad they are.

Cooperative Linux, and the derivative TopologiLinux, allow you to run Linux alongside Windows, without using virtualization. However, they aren't so easy to install.

Cygwin provides elements of a Linux-like environment for Windows. You can run both command-line and GUI programs with it. Cygwin isn't Linux, and will not let you run binary Linux programs on Windows - you have to recompile them for Cygwin.

Thanks for your reply cantab,
Is vectorlinux a well-known version? I'm a little worried that there wouldn't be enough places/people to seek help if I need it.
Does the lite version of vectorlinux have all the graphics capabilities that the main one has, and does the main one have enough capabilities to display stuff (OpenGL etc...)?

Are there other Linux versions that are more "mainstream" and would be recommended?

Thanks!

The most obvious are Ubuntu(would stick to 9.04 as of this writing to keep things simple, and Fedora(Currently Fedora Core 11). They are the big 2 that people gravitate toward, and are the starting points for many other distros(though of course many people will say Debian is the actual starting point, I'd argue that Ubuntu is to Debian what the PS3 is to a Playstation 1, they are related, but which would you play?). They accomplish many of the same goals as an OS, but do so in fairly different ways. I have a lot of experience with the Ubuntu community, and there are few issues you'll ever face that another user hasn't faced, asked about, and been answered by many knowledgeable folks. Hope this helps.

~Chris

Fedora is known to be the best on virtual things and vmware
read this
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...lpha_pre&num=1

In terms of Ubuntu it is.
Without Debian there wouldn't be Ubuntu or any other of it's derivatives.

If you like having your hand held,use Ubuntu.

Edit:Apologies to the op for going off topic.

As u said
Fedora and Debian are the two main distros
all the others are based on them

and it's well known that ubuntu is based on debian
so i think Fedora and debian did most of the work for the rest

Who doesn't believe
Search the internet

I can understand your perspective, but for me, I have many many hours worth of customizing to do when I install a distro, bringing the common applications I use up to current versions isn't among tasks I want to waste my time on. I would rather spend time trimming the fat off an Ubuntu based distro and fixing only what I'm not happy with then installing a less capable OS and spending all the extra time making it capable and THEN going in and making adjustments. To me, if what you want is a no hand holding distro, then you should be looking at slackware, or arch, or something similar.

aaa lol? weak up and use SLACKWARE, rocking since 1993...

Hand holding isn't all that bad and is useful to a lot of people, if done properly. Ubuntu unfortunately doesn't. I'd say openSUSE or Mandriva is a better choice than ubuntu. As for fedora, it's not about making a desktop for the people, but for making the people test their product.
Debian and slackware are obviously a better choice in terms of stability and maturity.

I agree.That's why i use the netinstall disc.
Grab the current packages straight from the repos.

Do you mean Debian?.How is it less capable?.

I've recently looked into other distro's.I thought,'if Debian stopped tomorrow which distro would i use'.
And yes i think Arch would be my choice,i like the philosophy of install a minimal system then install the applications you need.
I do a Debian install the same way,and of course Arch has dependency resolution with its package manager which is something that would put me off Slackware after years of using apt/aptitude.

I agree.Two of the oldest surviving Linux distro's.
Although Slack edges Debian by about a month.

Actually, Debian and Fedora are nowhere near the first Linux distributions. The oldest are the likes of
MCC Interim Linux, Softlanding Linux System, and Yggdrasil Linux/GNU/X, back in 1992. The first Slackware release was based on SLS, so Slack can be said to have the oldest ancestry, as well as being the oldest extant distribution.

It's true that a lot of distributions over the years have been based on Slackware, Fedora, or Debian. But not all - there are still distributions made 'from scratch', and those that are based on one of the 'big three' tend to diverge - Ubuntu no longer gets its packages from Debian, and there are distros being based on Ubuntu now.

There's a nice big chart on Wikipedia, http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi.../8/8c/Gldt.svg
showing the ancestry of various distributions

Even so, without the GNU Project, the Linux kernel, Minix, and of course Unix itself, there would not be the distributions we know and love today.

cantab

Slackware and Debian are the oldest surviving linux distributions and not oldest linux distributions. There is a difference.

Really?,well let me point you to the following link:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Ubuntu/ForDe...bianDevelopers

Here's a couple of the most relevant quotes:

OK everybody - here's a few more details about my needs:
It would be nice if Linux recognizes my 64-bit CPU and 4GB RAM - but it doesn't 100% have to be a 64-bit version.
2. Ease-of-use is very very important, as closer to windows...
3. I do most of my work with Unix commands (through a terminal), so I need something that has that and is easy to use - I'm used to konsole, but if there are better shells out there I'll be happy to use them.
4. I'd like Linux to be lean and fast, although ease-of-use is more important. I'd like to be able to uninstall features/apps I don't need. Basically, it's for data analysis and graphic display of results.

Please help me decide! Although my needs are simple, I really need something easy to use and easy to configure - if I need to change things. And the terminal has to be user-friendly and have a user-friendly text editor.

THANKS!