whats the linux for me?

what i do on my computer is the following:

i'm a graphic designer,
so 3D / grapical programs are a must
i also develop websites etc.

so what linux fits the best with my needs?

i currently use Red Hat
i also tested the most popular linux distrobutions like FreeBSD , Slackware, etc.

can anyone help me with my final decision?

with kind regards,
Marco Tiggelaar

Have you done any research of your won on this question? if you search this site you will literally find over a thousand questions exactly the same....

I don't know which is the best linux distribution.
I know Dreamwork (and other movie makers?)
use linux. So find out what distribution they use.
[Anybody knows?]

Sheng-Chieh

Probably the most popular distribution is Redhat linux.

I personally use Fedora core linux.

Distribs I've tried out include
* Slackware 9.0
* Slackware 8.0
* Slackware Live Eval 8.2
* Debian (Woody, Potato)
* Newton Progeny Debian Linux
* XP 8 in 1 (Wait, that doesn't belong in this list, ignore)
* Redhat 6.0
* Redhat 8.0
* Redhat 9.0
* Mandrake 8.0
* Mandrake 9.0
* Fedora Core 1 (My current running distribution)
* Damn Small Linux
* Knoppix
* FreeBSD
* FreeBSD Live CD
* SuSe linux
* Darwin (Mac OS X'S core, for x86)

I've tried out a lot of distributions.. and to me the largest factor in picking a distribution is picking one that runs out-of-the-box with your hardware, without having to bring in drivers from an external source.

A lot of the distros above had problems where the X Windows system wouldn't start up on it's own without manual configuration, my network card wouldn't work, sound wouldn't work.

No distribution in my opinion should have more than 2 things requiring manual installation, and thats the rule I live by with distros.

I am sure you'll want a distribution that will run out-of-the-box, because if you're new to linux you won't have the knowledge required to make things work if they don't.

I'd suggest starting with redhat/fedora or mandrake or suse in the begining, and then like me, trying out different distribs over time.

That's the best way, and, maybe you'll find one you like more than the previous, if so... go to it.

A real answer please...?
So you want to know the distribution you should go for?

You might as well ask me what type of build, ethnicity, eye color, and hair color girl is the best type to marry/and/or go out with.

There is no real answer to that question because it all boils down to personal preference. No website on this world is going to be able to tell you what distribution you're going to like best, just like nobody is going to be able to tell you which type of girl would be your best soul mate.

I understand you want a distro best for "graphic designers" and the like. Well, it doesn't really matter which distro you use, because all of the software made for linux and "graphics designers" is going to work on any version of linux anyways.

Gimp version 2.0 is going to work just as well on debian as it is on knoppix... so that's not really a deciding factor.

The only way you're going to find the best distro is if you go out on a few dates with a few distro's... and find which one is the nicest and most intelligent, and best in bed.

Any of popular distributions will work with what you need, although it is less likely you will find any distributions that come with 3d modelling software. On the other hand, you shouldn't have a lot of problems installing it. I had blender work very nicely in Slackware 9.1 . So, try out a few distributions and use the one you like - every single one will work with 3d and web design.

well, i'm no new b to linux..
but i do not know it well, i tried a few times to switch etc.

i have had over 10 diferent linux operating systems

my problem is.
i kinda like Red Hat.
but i didn't hear so mutch good things about it.
i also liked slackware. but that is quite harder to run etc.

what i heared about red hat was that it was easy to hack etc.
and that there were no more updates coming out for Red Hat 9.0
but thank you all for your help and time

( i'm now having a problem in red hat with PKG )

RedHat is a good choice. Generally for you I'd go for something like that; older, tested software, less community based distro.

2 boxes could be useful; connect to linux box from Windows/Mac box.

Personaly, I love Redhat. I have used many different distros over the years and I have always come back to Redhat because a lot of companies make programs that run on it, it's very user friendly, and it does p-n-p very well. If you're going to head that route, wait untill RHEL v4 comes out because it will finaly have the 2.6 kernel in it and if you're a student it only costs $25 a year to use the Redhat Network service.

what other photo editing software runs on linux. I know gimp, is there a way to make photoshop run in linux? Thats what I use in windows but I'm trying to stay away from windows as much as possible?

Photoshop 7 will run in linux pretty well with crossover office ($40)...

Tho I prefer gimp

<3 slackware

debian is pretty nice too, but im more comfortable with slack b/c debian seems to make things a little too easy.....

i will say that an out of the box distro like mandrake,suse, or ubuntu would be suffice.

but you next question will be how to get the most out of which ever distro you choose. this is the challenge that will be there for you.

Which software will I use to develop my 3d apps and websites?

For 3d: Blender

For web: NvU

For Photo: GIMP


Like a user suggested before me, you will really have to investigate this subject on your own.

Try them all! They are free....sort of...