Basically I would like to know generally what the best distro youve used is and also a post explaining why and which release i.e. rh 7.2 because.............

I voted Slackware, Ive been using Linux since April/May and I started on rh 7.2 (which I prefferred to Mandy 8.2) hiowever recently my eyes were opened to the world of Slack (version 8.1) and I find it's the best distro to use for learning more about bash and editing etc... It taught me that I didnt need to use a desktop based program to configure my system and I havent looked back since!!!!!

If I ever devide to move from Slack then I will attempt to play with Gentoo or with a bit more experience and knowledge LFS

Well, I would have to give a second vote to Slack, although Mandy isn't that far behind. I truly have learned quite a bit just switching from an RPM based distro to slack. It's very nice to know what's going on, system calls, and how to fix problems.

LFS to me, was a bit overrated because of the time involved. I can go through a slack install bit by bit, and pick out the programs I don't want, and spend maybe an hour doing so, not several days. There are many other benefits to an LFS system, but for those just wanting a good solid awesome system that teaches them quite a bit in Linux, slack would have to be my strongest suggestion.

Cool

hahaha i voted for Mandrake, though i would love to try SuSe, i'm a real GUI kinda kid, though i should start learning how to configure my system without a GUI and using commands etc etc....i am still a newbie though

i voted for Slackware just because its the only one I have ever used... (except a few years ago when my dad gave me Redhat 2.4 but that only lasted for a couple of days then I went back to slack)

I voted Slackware as the question asks the 'best one youve used', but im increasingly interested in Gentoo and have a feeling it would get my vote next time round

Slack, because it gives you the control over whats hapening, and doesn't do thinigs without being told to do them, its simple, and yet powerful.

And then you learn a lot...
I'm getting interested in Debian too, because of apt-get, but im on 56k so i dont think that would be useful for me....
-NSKL

Im thinking of downloading sorceror from www.linuxiso.org because that seems to download the newest packages that you decide to install for you, which is quite interesting!!!!

However I maust add once youve had Slack you never go back (well not for long anyway)

That "Once you've had slack you never go back" Is scary it's so true. Slack is the definition of cool. (what movie dudes) If slack were an Ice cream it'd be chocolate, If slack were a fruit, it'd be watermelon and tangerine. If slack were a computer, it'd be the INIAC. If slack were bubblegum, they would call it slack-alicious. huh huh

Cool

Ive said it once and I'll say it again (actually I might put it in my Siggy as well hmmm... ummm anyway

Once youve had Slack you'll never go back (blatant rip off of Fat B****rd in Austin Powers 2)

You can all guess what I voted for

I voted for SuSE because it was the first one I used and remember its name. There was something before SuSE in my Linux experience, but I don't remember what it was...

Debian -> security, quality, ease of maintenance
I have just build six rackmount dells using debain for a security conscious (banking) ASP in the last two weeks. No more Redhat or Suse for me, ever.

Well, I voted for RH since thats what I use mostly. For my project, I use an old slack distro, which was given to me by my senior and some time in the lab I work on my friend's mandrake. I feel, one should appreciate the contribution of GUI inclined systems towards popularising linux among common users as much as they appreciate slacks role in helping one learn the system more.
--Sarin

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