Pros/cons on different Linux distros?

J

Jonathan91

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Hi!
I've used Windows 7 since release and now I am thinking about switching to Linux.
I noticed everything is about taste when it comes to distros so lets hear pros/cons.
After I've heard pros/cons I can decide myself which one will suit me the best.

I want the distro to support upcoming Linux games but maybe all distros support that?
I want all Steam games to work on the distro I pick.
I am a "advanced" Windows user and I don't care if the distro looks like Windows or not.
Except for games I like to surf on the internet & sometimes play around with Blender.

I think Arch is the one I want to go with but sounds way too complicated to prepare it with different Linux commands since I don't know any..
Probably switching to Arch later once I am familiar with Linux commands.

Here are my computer specs btw..
Phenom II x4 955 BE 3.2GHz overclocked to 3.7GHz
Zotac 560Ti
Corsair Vengeance Cl9 1600MHz 4x4 (16GB) ram
Gigabyte GA-MA790GPT-UD3H
1TB HDD
 


Once you are comfortable with CLI, you will be ready for Arch. Until then, I can recommend these two distros.
http://www.linux.org/resources/oz-unity.37/
http://www.linux.org/resources/ultimate-edition.39/

Both are custom builds of Ubuntu, so Steam is easily supported. Oz Unity is for users who are new to Linux. While Ultimate Edition is for users with some experience and who want lots of eye candy. With your specs I cannot think of a distro that will not work on your setup.
The cons would be that Ubuntu is not a rolling release. So the software is not the NEWEST. Ubuntu is a snapshot of Debian. But it is the most used Linux distro.

Then there is Fedora. This is for more advanced users. Fedora is more for buisinesses and users who want more security with SElinux. It is not technically a rolling release but it is more up to date compared to Ubuntu. Both Fedora and CentOS are RHEL based systems.

Slackware is just unique. The "most Unix-Like Linux distribution".

Then of course there are more specific distros. Like AV Linux and Scientific Linux. So many distributions.

When you are ready:
http://lifehacker.com/5680453/build...tion-and-learn-all-about-linux-in-the-process
 
Once you are comfortable with CLI, you will be ready for Arch. Until then, I can recommend these two distros.
http://www.linux.org/resources/oz-unity.37/
http://www.linux.org/resources/ultimate-edition.39/

Both are custom builds of Ubuntu, so Steam is easily supported. Oz Unity is for users who are new to Linux. While Ultimate Edition is for users with some experience and who want lots of eye candy. With your specs I cannot think of a distro that will not work on your setup.
The cons would be that Ubuntu is not a rolling release. So the software is not the NEWEST. Ubuntu is a snapshot of Debian. But it is the most used Linux distro.

Then there is Fedora. This is for more advanced users. Fedora is more for buisinesses and users who want more security with SElinux. It is not technically a rolling release but it is more up to date compared to Ubuntu. Both Fedora and CentOS are RHEL based systems.

Slackware is just unique. The "most Unix-Like Linux distribution".

Then of course there are more specific distros. Like AV Linux and Scientific Linux. So many distributions.

When you are ready:
http://lifehacker.com/5680453/build...tion-and-learn-all-about-linux-in-the-process
Is Arch a custom build of Ubuntu? Will it support Steam?
Is it possible to support Steam with other distros once I am experienced with Linux?
More pros/cons with Ubuntu btw?

Looks like I will pick Oz Unity so far.
Thanks for helping me through this jungle! :D
 
No, Arch is not a custom build of Ubuntu. The two suggestions a) Ultimate Edition and b) OzOs. BOTH are underlyingUbuntu (- OzOs is Xubuntu Xfce Ubuntu).

If you look at the Steam page is says: "Ubuntu is our favorite version of Linux. " http://store.steampowered.com/about/

Pros and Cons are subjective and not objective. Some people like Ubuntu, some do not. Some people will be high on pros, some people will be high on cons. The only way for you to resolve this is to try it and see if you like it.
 
No, Arch is not a custom build of Ubuntu. The two suggestions a) Ultimate Edition and b) OzOs. BOTH are underlyingUbuntu (- OzOs is Xubuntu Xfce Ubuntu).

If you look at the Steam page is says: "Ubuntu is our favorite version of Linux. " http://store.steampowered.com/about/

Pros and Cons are subjective and not objective. Some people like Ubuntu, some do not. Some people will be high on pros, some people will be high on cons. The only way for you to resolve this is to try it and see if you like it.
I can't download and install all possible distros.. any easier ways to research which one I like better?
Since I want Steam to work I need a distro with a custom build of Ubuntu.
Can you name everyone?
 
I would suggest just downloading Ubuntu, Ubuntu Studio, Ultimate Edition or Oz Unity.

I liked them all but currently run just Ubuntu on my main computer, I may swap back to Ubuntu Studio, Ultimate Edition or Oz Unity one more time.

You might try one of the Mint flavors, not sure how Steam runs on those as I don't do gaming.

You actually COULD download most if not all distros, use rewritable media and cost will be very little.
 
I would suggest just downloading Ubuntu, Ubuntu Studio, Ultimate Edition or Oz Unity.

I liked them all but currently run just Ubuntu on my main computer, I may swap back to Ubuntu Studio, Ultimate Edition or Oz Unity one more time.

You might try one of the Mint flavors, not sure how Steam runs on those as I don't do gaming.

You actually COULD download most if not all distros, use rewritable media and cost will be very little.
Yes but takes time to explore inside all distributions.
F0r now I think Oz Unity is the best to start with and explore other distributions later maybe.
 
I think Ubuntu is the best for gaming. It's personally what I use for gaming. I have to do a few minor tweaks to get some games to work but that's nothing. That'd probably be the best for you.


Arch I would not recommend with you just starting out. You'd probably have a difficult time installing. Whereas Ubuntu you have the gui installer. Arch is a command line install.


Hmm but if you want you could download virtual box. Grab the distros you think you like/wanna try then just boot them up in virtualbox and choose which one you like the best.
 
To test drive your Linux choices without installing, you can run Linux from a usb. Download the distros you'd like to test, grab a few usb sticks, and follow the info given here. Using PendriveLinux is the easiest way I've found to create your liveusb from windoze. Trying Linux this way won't change anything on your machine but remember you won't be able to save any changes to the Linux distro either.
 
To test drive your Linux choices without installing, you can run Linux from a usb. Download the distros you'd like to test, grab a few usb sticks, and follow the info given here. Using PendriveLinux is the easiest way I've found to create your liveusb from windoze. Trying Linux this way won't change anything on your machine but remember you won't be able to save any changes to the Linux distro either.
That method was slooooow.
I booted from my usb 2.0 drive and everything lagged.
I rather use a emulator.. lol
 
I think Ubuntu is the best for gaming. It's personally what I use for gaming. I have to do a few minor tweaks to get some games to work but that's nothing. That'd probably be the best for you.


Arch I would not recommend with you just starting out. You'd probably have a difficult time installing. Whereas Ubuntu you have the gui installer. Arch is a command line install.


Hmm but if you want you could download virtual box. Grab the distros you think you like/wanna try then just boot them up in virtualbox and choose which one you like the best.
Yeah that's how I will do it.
However I got VMware Player already installed so I rather do it inside VMware.
 
So Jonathan91. Have you figured out which distro you plan to use?
 
So Jonathan91. Have you figured out which distro you plan to use?
Nope. Only tried Oz Unity so far with Vmware player, it's laggy and buggy unfortunately and I find it hard to install vmware's weird program for better compatibility. The install file is named something with Vmware and ends with .pl

Maybe I should tell Vmware that I am running Ubuntu instead of "other" Linux os?
 
Although I'm not a fan of Ubuntu, I think Ubuntu would be the best fit you you. You could be the most 'advanced' Windows user in the world, but there is still a learning curve to Linux that you won't be familiar with until you learn the commands, how the system works (particularly the "everything is a file" concept), and what files to tweak if something isn't working.

It has the widest range of hardware support, it has plenty of community support if you have problems, and even Valve claims Steam "runs best on Ubuntu". Plus, Ubuntu wiki has an install walkthrough here:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Valve

It comes in plenty of flavors as well if you're looking for a different interface, you can try Xubuntu or Kubuntu and then as you get more comfortable or if you get bored try out other distros. I wouldn't recommend Arch until you try at least a few 'full featured' distros.

If you're looking for ideas check out www.distrowatch.com a great site to read about different distributions and what they have to offer.
 
Nope. Only tried Oz Unity so far with Vmware player, it's laggy and buggy unfortunately and I find it hard to install vmware's weird program for better compatibility. The install file is named something with Vmware and ends with .pl

Maybe I should tell Vmware that I am running Ubuntu instead of "other" Linux os?
Yes, switching to "Ubuntu" would help. Of course the settings for VMware also need to be correct. Number of cores allowed, graphics memory, RAM allowed...But nothing beats putting it on a USB and booting live. TRUST ME. It runs much faster.

Try it live and see what you think.
 
Yes, switching to "Ubuntu" would help. Of course the settings for VMware also need to be correct. Number of cores allowed, graphics memory, RAM allowed...But nothing beats putting it on a USB and booting live. TRUST ME. It runs much faster.

Try it live and see what you think.
Actually USB is a lot slower.. already tried it.
However it is not buggy with my slow USB.
 
Test 1 recommended Mandriva.
Test 2 recommended Mandriva, KUbuntu, Ubuntu, OpenSuse & Mint to 100%.
 
Test 1 recommended Mandriva.
Test 2 recommended Mandriva, KUbuntu, Ubuntu, OpenSuse & Mint to 100%.

Try them out on a live USB and see how you feel, or just pick one to go. Linux Mint 15 is first on Distrowatch.

I remember when I've switched from Windows to the Penguin, I tried Ubuntu, CentOs and Debian. Now I’m on Fedora 18 with KDE for development and Work and CentOs on my Server.

Have fun;)
 
Try them out on a live USB and see how you feel, or just pick one to go. Linux Mint 15 is first on Distrowatch.

I remember when I've switched from Windows to the Penguin, I tried Ubuntu, CentOs and Debian. Now I’m on Fedora 18 with KDE for development and Work and CentOs on my Server.

Have fun;)
Not sure about Mandriva, OpenSuse & Mint because Steam are supporting Ubuntu only so far.
But I will eventually try out the distros..
Right now I am just too lazy because Windows 7 is stable and support all games. :oops:
 

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