Going back to Linux, which distro?

[DanGrease]

Pheh, well I dont know why but it just happened, I stayed away from Linux a while. After using Redhat alot and hearing the news that no support for it will come because of the Fedora project I lost the excitement of continuing using it. Mandrake 9.1 had been replaced by a newer version so I just took a timeout and went back to Windows for a while. Now I want back

The thing is the Linux community advance so fast that new distros come and go all the time. The versions that I used before are already outdated, and newer versions are available. I even heard they are working on Mandrake 10 (which from what I heard would be great, with alot of refreshments). So the question is which distro should I download now and start using? I was (dont know if I still am, because of the new project) a big fan of Redhat, but its replaced with Fedora. Is Fedora practically a new version of Redhat with a different name, or is it a completely new distro? And Mandrake was one of my favorite distros to, just dont know if the 9.2 version is worth a try. Which one would you recommend for me? Mandrake 9.2 or Fedora (dont know the number of the version yet ) Thanks for the help.

I am missing the feeling of playing around a Linux distro and just get out of Windows for a while.

dan

[Agent_Embryo]

I can recommend Debian, as it is what I use for a server. Once you learn to use apt-get to install and remove packages you'll never want to use anything else again.

My favorite distro list (of the big distros I've tried):
1. Debian
2. Slackware
3. Red Hat
4. Mandrake

[DanGrease]

Debian huh? Have heard its a distro for the advanced Linus users. To make a summary I am a beginner in the Linux world and its not easy for me to operate with most of the distros. I've only tried two of the most famous and big distros and those are Mandrake and Redhat since I have heard they are the most beginner user friendly. To tell you the truth I am a bit scared of these advanced distros such as Debian, Slackware, Gentoo, etc.

dan

[Praetorian]

Debian can be considered "advanced". The initial installation and configuration of the machine is difficult, but most any thing afterwards is very simple. Mainly because it's package manager resolves dependencies for you (IMO). Debian really isn't that hard to use after you've done the initial setup.

Slackware is pretty difficult IMO. Same type of work as Debian, but no help. :-P You're on your own buddy. Slackware is hardcore like that. hehe. I used Slack for quite some time before going to Debian. I wanted to go back because Slackware has such nice init scripts, but Debian had made me lazy.

Have you tried looking at Xandros or some other Debian-based Linux distro. You can get great package management and user experience, all in one.

If you're not interested in anything "Debian", go with Mandrake! I started out with that, and I liked it. Red Hat is easy, but I think Mandrake is eaiser.

[Agent_Embryo]

I'm kind of a newbie myself, even though I have used Linux for a couple of years. There are great guides for Debian out there. The thing I like most about Debian is the fact that I can install a base system from one CD and then choose each package to install when I need to install it. Compiling new kernels for it is pretty easy too. I really suggest you try it out for a while at least. I've got a link to a good site for Debian newbies.

[Agent_Embryo]

http://www.debianuniverse.com/readonline/

Check this out first to get an idea on how installing Debian is.

[DanGrease]

I think I will stick with the easier distros for a while because I am used to them, at least a bit, and I dont have much time to read many manuals, web pages, help sections, etc because I am trying to make my best in school and I dont have that much time free to do this kind of stuff. I think I will definetely try Debian in the future, maybe in the summer vacation, but now I think I will stick and download Mandrake. Thanks for the help anyways guys!

dan

[washe]

If mandrake 9.1 detect all you hardware correctly stick with it....

If you want to try something new get Mandrake 10 beta that has the new 2.6 kernel and will support newer hardware and some other goodies... but is still beta so get used to get into some bugs....

If you have the possibility get Suse 9.0, I have been using it and it friendly to the newcommer..

[GroundZero3]

i suggest if you can get your hands on a copy of suse 9.0 to install it.

there was a thread started about mid decemeber by S.D. Willie giving free copies to memebers, then they send copies out memembers for free.

to bad the search doesnt work in the linux section

[jmoore2001]

College Linux 2.5 is out!!!!!