Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora or OpenSuse
 

Hi Guys,

Ive been using Ubuntu since version 8.04 but I don't like version 11 and 12. I have version 12.04 LTS currently installed on my laptop. i3 processor, 4GB or ram, etc etc. Ubuntu runs slow sometimes. Also, Ive gotten a few Crash Reports (reminds me of M$crosoft). Which Distro would you guys recommend? I need something like Ubuntu 10. Keyboard friendly with all shortcuts (alt+tab, altf4,f2,f1, etc)
Thank you

actually since you are already familiar with a Linux distribution you should try to move up on more stable distributions such as Debian or SlackWare.
In my opinion if you install Linux Mint, OpenSuSE or Fedora you wont be moving too far from Ubuntu in the sense that all these are put together with a corporate environment in mind.
Slackware and Debian will give you the freedom to install the software you want in your computer.
Good luck to you.

Why not give Mageia a try? I would not try Mint, I tried it and many basic features were not available, like creating a desktop shortcut to a program. I am not kidding, I have 10 years of Linux experience with gobs of distros including Slackware, LFS, Gentoo. I posted on LQ and no one could figure out how to create a desktop shortcut. It is like it was so oversimplified not even a caveman can figure out how to use it.

In my opinion Fedora is a Moderate Distro and Suse tries to overcome Linux Shortfalls but it makes it bloated. Suse is definitely different and for that reason is worth trying out to get your own perspective of it. If you like what I think is a Linux answer to Windows ,try the Mandrake forks of Mandriva/Mageia. Mandriva 2008 was awesome ,Mandriva 2010 was the most appealing interface I have ever used and I have a solid install of Mageia 1 currently.

unless you build it from the ground up
think Gentoo or Slack
Arch is good IF you WANT to use a prebuilt and install ONLY what you want
it has it's good and bad points

Fedora ??? well fedora is , well "fedora" what can one say .

OpenSUSE ?? good points - it just works Except for Gnome3 gnome 3 is well a P.O.S. ( a #2 and smells like it also)

Bloated yes, but some things can be removed though not much .


put it this way my mom that has a hard time with yahoo mail is using opensuse 11.4 ( i will be upgrading her this summer)

OpenSUSE is a rpm based distro and NOT a .deb system
suse uses "zypper" and NOT yum , though yum can be installed

I am not sure of the others but would also warn you off Linux Mint as I have used it for a number of months now and had repeated crashes that I have been unable to solve.

Another option to Slackware if too heavy for you is to try Salix which comes with its own front end installer which seems not bad.

For many users, I think the "best" distro is often the last one they try. I think there are too many variables for anyone to advise someone else on what is "best".

Since joining LQ, I've probably done about 100 Linux installs, and most of them have had some kind of major or minor annoyance. Most recently, I am **really** turned off by some of the fluff that people are inventing for the GUI (gnome-shell, for starters).

I used to suggest that anything in the "top ten" at distrowatch would be a safe bet, but there's Arch in 7th place--and that is NOT a distro for an inexperienced user.

So---my answer to the original question is "try it"

I have to point out two things here.

1) I dont think OP is inexperienced since he pointed out in post #1 he has been using Ubuntu since 8.04, so I am assuming he could handle the command line on any other distro, Debian and Slackware being the most reliable for stability I suggested them.

2) I see some of the suggestions are being based on graphical interface. Keep in mind that in Linux there are different graphical environment and you can easily change it without having to change distro at all. KDE, Xfce, LXDE and lot more still let you put icons on the desktop.

Perhaps Package manager is a better subject when considering trying a different distro .deb, or rpm,. apt or yum, YaST or Synaptic

Good luck to you!

It all depends on why you used to like Ubuntu and why you don't like it now. Since you stopped liking it with version 11, perhaps it was the change from Gnome to Unity that was the last straw? If so, try Linux Mint Maté version:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/review...p/product/2188
It's certainly faster, but there is the current encryption problem (unless I was just unlucky there).

Another possibility is Solus:
http://www.linuxquestions.org/review...page/15/sort/7

I agree with you..

wise answer from wise user

I asked this same question when I first started using Linux years ago. Instead of installing one distro after another and seeing what I liked/didn't like, I just decided to partition out my drive and make a multi-boot machine. It's not really too complicated, and there is plenty of good documentation on how to do it without a giant headache. I personally like Fedora, because it tends to be the least PITA, but that's just my opinion. It's all about finding your flavor.

Hi Guys, thank you very much for your responses. I tried Linux mint and yes, there was a few things I couldn't do or modify. Like I said I am a keyboard guy, I barely use the mouse and having to use the mouse in Gnome3 is just driving me nuts. I will give Debian a shot. I also noticed that Debian is widely used in corporations and most Linux Admin jobs require knowledge in Debian so I think Debian will be a much better distro for me to try. Do I have to download all 7 Debian DVD ISOs to be able to install it? Thanks

No, the full set of DVDs are for people who want their own repository because they can't get broadband (or even any internet). You can install with the first disk.

Thank you! Im downloading the first disk now.

Please keep us posted on how you did with your project.
Good luck to you!

I agree with tron. people definitely need to try different package managers. there are pros and cons with them that I think get overlooked. I have my opinion, but I'm not going to type it out as its irrelevant.

if you are going to go debian. just a tip you might find handy. I don't know what desktop environment you like. debian will install gnome2 by default. if you desire something different; before beginning the install, select advanced options and then alternative desktop environment. I think this option is poorly placed in the installer so thought give you a heads up.

@Tron: Sure, I will keep you guys posted. Thanks
@Knightron: I want Gnome2. Thanks for the Advice!
Thanks to everyone for your responses!

Hello,

I installed the latest version of Debian on my laptop. Wireless and audio drivers don't work. Grub show W$ndows 7 (Which unfortunately need for work) and when I use logmein on Firefox, I can't log in to remote systems. Ok, I googled solutions for the drivers and I found a file, try installing it but no luck. I re-installed Ubuntu back on my laptop. I will try Debian on my PC.

If windows ISN"T showing in grub. You need to su to root and run the command:
Debian has a slightly stricter stance on proprietary software than Ubuntu. You need to add "contrib nonfree" to the end of your sources in your souces.list
Here's a good link that educated me on a few things when i first used Debian. Thanks to caravel showing me this.
http://www.debianuserforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=388
For audio you may have to open alsamixer and unmute your soundcards.
I don't know about your wireless but you may have to enable the appropriate repo and install the required packages. I had to do that on Debian too.

Thank you Knightron but I really needed my laptop operational for today. I am on call so I need to be able to boot to W$ndows in case I need to work.
I will def try Debian on my home PC.
Again, thanks!