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View Full Version : I think I'm ready to make the switch...


Sarteck
06-21-2006, 08:00 AM
I've fiddled around with Linux in bits and pieces in the past, but for the last week or two, I've been using it full-time. I had been planning on switching back and forth between my Linux and my Windows systems, just so that way I could do the things in Windows that I could not do (or was not comfortable doing) in Linux... But the plain and simple is that I've not really found anything like that. XD

I've been using SuSE during this time, and I'm fairly comfortable with it. It's on my old, crappy, almost shot 40GB Hard Drive, and my Windows is on my fairly old, fairly shot Hard Drive. XD I'm going to be transferring all of the files I want to keep over here to my 40GB, and then install Linux on my main hard drive.

I really thought that it would be a lot more difficult to get the hang of Linux, but it's not. Once you get past the install (which may take a few times for true newbies, but since I'd fiddled around a bit I was able to do it in one try with no trouble) and get the hang of where everything is in the GUI (whichever you choose--I started with GNOME but now I use KDE [and like it more]), it's a lot like Windows. There's also a lot more options for customization to make it look and feel how you want it, something I would not really have thought about Linux, heh. Also, once you get the hang of it, installing things is a heck of a lot easier (and with much more options) than Windows. (Add to that the fact that you never get those annoying "You need to restart your computer" bullshit messages, heh.)

Now, the only problem I have is wondering which flavour I want on my main hard drive. I like SuSE 10.1, but I'm thinking I might go with either the very popular Red Hat, or the distro I used to use, Debian. I kind of understand Debian structure a lot more, so that's probably the way I'll lean...

I want a distro that will function well as a regular desktop for BS things like playing games, browsing Bleach, passing time, etc., but I also want it to run as a decent webserver (and maybe fileserver, as well) with MySQL databases and PHP. Virtually any flavour of Linux can do that, I just want to find the one that does it best. XD

moppiz
06-21-2006, 08:54 AM
I just chanced my windows to linux couple of days ago and it really is something and hooray! for the no-more-re-boot sh*t.

06-21-2006, 03:35 PM
Since I have never used any of the other distros I am going to make an unbiased comment and say that Ubuntu is the best distro. Plus it has won the UK Linux & Open Source Best Distribution award

Sarteck
06-22-2006, 06:44 AM
Well, Sandal, "best" for what you must ask? Heh. Each Linux has different capabilities that endear it more or less to certain audiences. For example, those just starting out on Linux would probably love Mandrivia (which used to be Mandrake, my very first Linux), or Red Hat's Fedora Core project. Those who want to run a webserver, but still aren't entirely comfortable in a Linux environment would probably love SuSE or Red Hat. If you want database power and flexibility, Debian would probably be your best choice, though it tends to be a little less user-friendly (and is the distro I've decided to tackle next, heh). Those that want a very portable OS that can be run on just about anything will want Knoppix. Heh.

There is no "best overall" distro. It's only "this distro is good at this more than the other distros." :D

moppiz
06-22-2006, 07:24 AM
I use ubuntu since my nerd-friend suggested it. it is good, but cant say that its best since havent tried others...

sto67
06-22-2006, 01:17 PM
im sure you guys will get bored of it considering the lack of mainstream program support for anything not windows.
not saying its a bad OS, just saying its not really worth investing the time in it unless you are a developer or have no interest in program compatibility.

Sarteck
06-22-2006, 07:15 PM
sto, lack of mainstream program support? WTH are you talking about? There is plenty of support for Linux programs. Heh. And what do you mean "have no interest in program compatibility?" I don't understand how Windows is any different in that respect. In fact, at least Linux programs can almost always be ported across all Linux platforms with little or no difficulty. There are some things that will work, on the other hand, for Windows XP but will fail on NT, or vice versa, and who knows how Vista will rin the picture?

I just don't see what you are saying... Heh. Try Linux out, sometime, and you might find you're wrong. :3