hey guys. i'm trying to decide b/n these 2 distros.

ubuntu is very very pretty, it seems like it has all the the latest packages and everything. very impressive. but i'm not an open source fanatic, i still want flash, java, realplayer, mp3 support, etc. when i want to do this, everyone says go to the wiki. i go there, there are 10 half-assed ways to install each program, i try 5 can't get anything to work and get frustrated and give up.

also, i really like the package selection, i really like the installation. quick and simple. i've tried installing debian and gentoo. i don't want to spend a week getting my system to work! how bout a day?

this is why i like xandros. it comes with everything i want. but the packages seem outdated (is this true???) and the look and feel is pretty ugly.

also i have an Athlon64, xandros doesn't have a 64 bit version, so far as i can tell.

what do you guys think? any ideas? any better ideas? any alternatives? any corrections for my impressions? thanks!!!

Never used Xandros. Cannot comment on that. Ubuntu is a bit rough-edged but it's a fast evolving distribution.

You can still install support for Mp3 and so on if you choose non-US repositories I think (at least in Debian).

Java can be downloaded directly from Sun and installed with its own installer.

About the others I cannot say.

ubuntu is very nice.. also..ArchLinux has very current packages and stuff.. but it's more for the advanced user... i would say go with Ubuntu.. there are 'unofficial' repositories that you can uncomment to install extra stuff for ubuntu from.. i.e. - kde

but if you think you're going to be able to do everything without reading some docs..then you'd be better off staying with windows...

Xandros is quite proprietary and the free edition isn't very usable in my opinion..

use your own brain and choose for yourself. that's what linux is all about, freedom, and if you cant even choose for yourself...all hope is lost.

but that said, ubuntu4ever

Just see which one appeals more. Make a dual boot with both and try doing the same task in each one. Like in Ubuntu, try playing an mp3. Then in Xandros, try playing and mp3. Do all your normal tasks. Then see which one seems better. Also check which one works well with your hardware.

The people on any forum can't say which one is better for you. They/we can say which is better for themselves/us.

I would say Slackware all the way!!!!!!

Check out UbuntuGuide.org. It has very simple instructions for installing all of the stuff you mentioned and more.

I've tried the Open Circulation edition of Xandros and wasn't very impressed. It seemed terribly crippled, although it is easy to set up and use. I put it on my mom's computer as a replacement for Win98. She likes it, but then again the only app she ever uses is a web browser.

Over all, I think Ubuntu is a much better choice, especially with Hoary scheduled for release in just a couple of days.

guys, thanks a lot for the responses.

i hear what you all are saying, i gotta chose on my own. of course, i'm just asking for some help.

for starters, do you all agree with my impressions?

as far as ubuntu, i figured out one reason stuff wasnt working for me. because i'm using an Athlon 64, i used the AMD64 release. it doesnt have all the packages that the i386 version has. i switched and now much more of the documentation is working.

that being said, i still think that ubuntu's documentation for this stuff, is awful. its here and there and some is for warty and some for hoary and for each thing there are often many many ways to do it, and for each way i often found the instructions ambiguous and unclear. really not happy with the documentation. as far as the rest of ubuntu, fantastic.

so do you guys agree with my impressions of both distros? if you can make cases either way just on those it will help me make up my mind.

thanks!

I wish to reply on this debate.I have within the last 3 months started using linux as my primary O.S..I tried several of the distros and finally setteled on xandros 3.0 oce.I found it to be the best distro to update and it works from the first boot up.The fact that xandros 3.0 oce seems crippled is because it is offered as a free download as compared to the buissness or deluxe editions.You can however install all the neede apps from apt-get or xandros networks.I have installed guarddog firewall,k3b,xmms,mozilla,and numerous other apps and games.Iknow have a full and clean O.S. with nearly all of the apps You could need.I would Highly recommend Xandros 3.0 oce To any one that wishes a fast and easy migration from windows.I give it a A+.