which linux distribution easy for installing packages?

cnsoft · 07-03-2010, 01:34 PM

Hi there,

I am a newbie of linux and find it's too difficult for me to install packages on redhat es4. I want to get a linux distribution that is easy to install packages, which one should i choose? Thanks a lot!

gasdim · 07-03-2010, 01:37 PM

Try mandriva 2010 or OpenSUse 11.3 (in 12days) or try ubuntu 10.04!!!!

johnsfine · 07-03-2010, 02:16 PM

I think synaptic is the easiest GUI for installing packages. That is used in many Debian based distributions. I use it in Mepis 8.0.

But I also find yum in Centos a very convenient command line based program for package installation.

Most Linux distributions have multiple UI's for the underlying package management system. Centos has it least one totally baffling GUI for the same system that is easier to use via yum. Mepis has multiple different command line and GUI UI's that are harder to use than synaptic.

hze · 07-03-2010, 04:37 PM

I use and like Ubuntu and Fedora. Go for Ultimate Ubuntu, it is bundled with all software that you will normally need. With Fedora just search for EasyLife and run it. It installs all the software that is usually required.

hkothari · 07-03-2010, 04:42 PM

I don't think it gets easier than Debian and apt-get.

pixellany · 07-03-2010, 05:23 PM

If we don't know what problem you are having installing packages, then it's hard to say what is going to be better.

Until switching to Arch, I always picked distros that used Synaptic.

The Arch package management is extremely simple and easy, but Arch is typically not recommended for beginners.

cnsoft · 07-04-2010, 12:18 AM

Thanks for all replies!

There are so many choices that i have no idea which one i should choose. Can anybody tell me which one is better for embeded programming? and my hardware is based on ARM10E. Thanks a lot!

Fred Caro · 07-04-2010, 01:31 AM

Do you want to do programing or install packages? Admittedly some tools are needed to compile tar balls but this is not an easy way of acquiring new programs. The easiest way is to use the 'add/remove' option in various flavours of linux.

Fred.

hze · 07-04-2010, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkothari

I don't think it gets easier than Debian and apt-get.

I have not tried Debian yet, but I will!

pr_deltoid · 07-04-2010, 02:33 AM

Debian-based distributions use apt-get also, so there's really no difference in the ease of use. Debian/Ubuntu/Mint all use apt-get.

cnsoft · 07-04-2010, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Caro

Do you want to do programing or install packages? Admittedly some tools are needed to compile tar balls but this is not an easy way of acquiring new programs. The easiest way is to use the 'add/remove' option in various flavours of linux.

Fred.

Hi Fred,

I want to do programing, but it often need install some libs too(ie, when i do 3D programing, it need some opengl libs). If a system spend me too much time for installing, i think i should choose another one. I can save this time for programing. Thanks!

myposts · 07-04-2010, 08:34 AM

take a look on Linux Jazz, every distro in the set will do.

Mr. Alex · 07-04-2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnsoft

Hi there,

I am a newbie of linux and find it's too difficult for me to install packages on redhat es4. I want to get a linux distribution that is easy to install packages, which one should i choose? Thanks a lot!

Pretty much everything with DEB. Just use Synaptic. Ubuntu, Debian...
DEB provides superior package management.

kungfur@mone · 07-04-2010, 11:16 AM

Yep. Debian. I've been using it for years, and I've had next to no problems with package installation and management.

hze · 07-06-2010, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prdeltoid

Debian-based distributions use apt-get also, so there's really no difference in the ease of use. Debian/Ubuntu/Mint all use apt-get.

I did not know that, thank you