You mentioned that you have used Debian off and on-
If you don't mind my asking why is it that you switch on and off with Debian? And, how is the level of difficulty to get Debian and it's network manager set up and running?

I am primarily a Slackware guy. Wherever I wander, I come back to Slackware. I started with Slackware and that's where I feel most at home. But I'll happily tell you my Debian story.

I first used Debian when my old laptop was dying. It would not load CD 2 for a three CD Slackware upgrade (I didn't realize it, but the drive was on its last legs). I threw Debian on it because of the one-CD web install option, and used it quite happily until the computer died about six months later.

I even put a little clip up on YouTube about Fluxbox and Debian on that old laptop. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efoDbz2Z2yg

My next laptop came with Ubuntu factory-installed, so I stuck with Ubuntu because of the Broadcom wireless until I got fed up with v. 11.04 Unity. That box is now running Slackware--current, as is my other laptop (the one that lives in the breakfast nook next to my girlfriend's Windows computer--we surf side by side in the mornings).

Later, I messed up a Slack upgrade on this here desktop computer on which I'm typing at this moment. Rather than clean up my mess, I started over with Debian Lenny because getting the box up and running was more important to me than more Adventures in Troubleshooting. I've since upgraded to Squeeze using "apt-get dist-upgrade," so I reckon Debian's been on it for upwards of two years now.

By default, Debian comes with Gnome and uses the Gnome network manager. Since I use this computer primarily as my home file server and since it's on wired networking, I configured it for static IP in /etc/network/interfaces.

I also fixed it to boot the command line rather than to a display manager, because I often log in to do things at the command line and don't want to have to bother with a GUI.

Debian is a damned fine OS. If you don't care about bleeding edge (and I don't), you really can't go wrong with it. It is rock-solid stable.

As with any Linux distro, if you are looking to use it with wireless, do a little research. Some chipsets, such as Broadcom, can require extra steps to get working.

I hope this answers your questions. If it doesn't, I'll happily answer more.

Edit: I missed the part about "level of difficulty." As I said, I started with Slackware. Once you understand Slackware, no distro can ever intimidate you (not that Slackware is difficult, but Slackware doesn't hold your hand and expects you to do your homework).

That being said, installing Debian is about as easy as it gets and the Synaptic Package Manager is really easy to use.

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Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on the questions asked, how they are asked and the posters' responses to answers.

If this forum was only for Slackware, instead of a pan-Linux forum, it would be more "unfriendly" than the Debian fora. Like Slackware, Debian is not a hand-holding system. If someone complains, because he or she was given an answer that leads to a solution, instead of being spoon-fed a step-by-step answer in minute detail, the reaction will be unfriendly.

If a new member has a willingness to learn by reading documentation and uses the helpful answers and links provided by other members, that person is welcomed into the community.

There are two factors that shape the two Debian fora.
1) They are not revenue generators, and therefore, there is no need to always display the utmost politeness, especially to trolls and whiners. A troll can be told to go away, without hurting advertising revenue.
2) Since the distribution does not cater to lazy people demanding to be spoon-fed, it should not come as a surprise to anyone that the fora have an attitude based on that principle.
So yes, the Debian fora are not as friendly as the Ubuntu forum, but the the quality of answers is usually better. And those Debian users who do not like the fora can come here, where the water is smoother. It is a win for both Debian and LQ.

That is what I love the most about LQ. Most of the time I'm able to figure out what to do when my questions get answered on here but every so often, I find that I need more than the simple answer( i.e.....Pointed in the right direction to resources that I may not have been able to find on my own, the others may have already known about).

It this manner, I would have to give LQ, 120 on a scale of 1 to 10, 1=poor 10=great.

I also give my thanks to everyone here, both Members and LQ staff.

Frankbell:

Your description and explanation about Debian was a great aid to my understanding, I get it; Thank you

Being that Debian is rock solid I feel I can't go wrong now....just have to get the ISO and use Brasero to create a dvd.

Thank you for the advise on advising me to do research for wireless. I had one heck of a time getting Ubunutu 10.04 online. I had to black list the rt8169 as I have the rt8168. Had to find out the hard way and no one informed me.

This forum is far more friendlier and people here think more criticaly which is what most of us need. Us, ( I mean initiating something for the first time)

Intimidation is not my cup of tea; but I comprehend that once I know an OS well that tactic no longer works.

Dwmolyneux:

I always read documentation and use helpful answers that you and the folks here give me.
I have always had positive feedback here and have learned a great deal since the December.

I appreciate all of the instructions and sound advise.

Now I am off to burn Linux Mint 12 KDE and Debian to a dvd and learn for a while.

I really hate to delete my partition with Ubuntu on it but I have had enough of the graphics crashes and many other issues that have created enough aggravation. I need a OS that is stable and reliable that I can know like the back of my hand and maintain it's performance w/o nonsense......I'm sure you would want the same.

Thank you....all of you

Nice to hear and I agree. I think to some extent there is an element of self-selection in that. The persons who frequent LQ are mostly persons who are willing to help newcomers to Linux.

But this is easily one of the friendliest (and most tolerant of newbie mistakes) of any internet place I have been. That goes double if you include some of the old-line newsgroups in their heyday. I do enjoy hanging out here while I watch my old murder mystery movies.

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Yes, I do want the same. For my situation though it's not a simple cookie cutter form.

Maybe I just know to much about things that I shouldn't really concern myself with but you can't put toothpaste back in the tube....I do try to, do things as a normal user, but then all of my College Computer Networking classes come flooding back in.

I wish I knew more about Linux than Windows but not the case. My eyes have been openned and Linux is where things are headed. As to how long before it gets there....not really sure, but it's getting there.

Frankbell & Dwmolyneux:

I had the biggest smile on my face while reading your responses.
It's been a good experience and well...I'm happy!

The good news is that the ISO I had with Mint 12 KDE on my desktop is now on dvd and worked successfully with the use of Brasero.

I started reading my motherboard booklet that came with my system. It's not as crystal clear as I'd like it to be but I (think) I have the idea on how to change the boot order so the cd/dvd drive is listed first. Took the initiative and watched a few U-Tube video's on the how to go into the BIO's and find the Device Priority and choose CDROM.

This first time going into the BIO's has me a bit nervous but it's time to step up to the plate-
This is that part you talked about before with the intimidation factor. I will except this for now as a challenge but defeat is not an option. Afterall; there is a first time for everything.

When it comes to going in to the bios, there really isn't anything to be afraid of. Just remember that if you make a change that goes AWOL on you...
This should reset the bios back to default unless your motherboard has a jumper that lock this function. If that happens to be the case, just refer to you manuals.

I forgot to look back at whether this was a Desktop or Laptop but the instruction I gave are geared towards a Desktop.

Trail and Error can sometimes be the best teacher.

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It is very easy. When your computer is booting, look at the screen. For a few seconds there is a message telling you which button to press to enter the BIOS. It is usually F10 or F11. Once inside, just look at the options. They are very simple. If I do not have any problems, no one should.

Quite often, you can change the boot order for a single boot with actually entering the BIOS. What key to hit will depend on your BIOS and manufacturer.

If you leave the BIOS seto to 'boot from CD/DVD' the system will always check the optical drive before moving on to booting from the HDD. So after installing, go back in and change the BIOS back to 'boot from HDD' if you want a (slightly) faster bootup.

BTW, there are sometimes many setting in the BIOS that you can change to streamline the system. Change from 'HDD auto detection' to having the HDD type set. No floppy? Disable it. Dont use firewire? Disable it. Got a soundcard? Disable onboard sound. etc.

Removing the battery in my experience will always reset the BIOS. No power, no way to save the state = reset BIOS.

I presonally dislike the 'remove the battery to rest the BIOS' method. It works, but its a dirty hack IMO. If the machine still boots, just go back into the BIOS and select 'load BIOS defualts' or similar.

If its totally locked (for example because someone has tried to overclock more than the system can handle) I use the clear CMOS jumper.

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I agree but as for my experince, I have actuall ran across some motherboards (even newer ones) that don't give the clear CMOS jumper option.

And yes, if the machine does still boot and allow you back in to the bios then that is always the best option but suggestion about the battery pull is always a fall back option should all else fail.

If you leave the BIOS seto to 'boot from CD/DVD' the system will always check the optical drive before moving on to booting from the HDD. So after installing, go back in and change the BIOS back to 'boot from HDD' if you want a (slightly) faster bootup.I plan to keep system BIO's only set to boot to CD/DVD for maybe 3 days tops. After that I plan to go back into the BIO's and choose to boot my Ubuntu 10.04 as the first boot order; as I'm dual booted with Windows XP Pro.

If I had a labtop I would view Linux Mint 12 and Debian on that instead.
In the future I plan to purchase a labtop but at this point not sure what brand but it won't be Alienware. It's expensive IMO just for games-

Thank You for good advise and instruction in regard to BIO's.

I generally chnage back to boot from HDD as soon as the OS is installed and running. Its a 30-60 second job at wost once you know what you are doing.

BTW, its BIOS (Basic Input Output System) not BIO's.

Why mint or debian for a laptop in particular?

Debian 'stable' is a bit older than a lot of other distros, and most of the *buntu/mint versions. It can require more stuffing around (eg backporting a kernel and xorg) to get going with current laptops than *buntu or mint. Debian testing/sid is far more current, and wont need backporting kernels/xorg to work with most new laptops..but then you've got a lot more system upkeep to do and more chance of breaking the system.

Personally, I avoid laptops. I dont have much use for them, they are more likely to give you issues, arent anywhere near as upgradeable, etc.. If I was going to get a laptop, it would be something very simple, fairly small and low power, like a intel atom or AMD fusion netbook.

They made some nice machines in the past, and still do OK hardware, but Aleinware is just a dell brand now. Dell hardware in a 'funky' case with an inflated pricetag.

They are also more likely then the other big brands to be using the newest nVidia mobile GPUs, which can be a pain to get going with linux.

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