Mint and MX Linux for me.
It's time for a poll. How long have you used Linux?
- Thread starter KGIII
- Start date
Mint and MX Linux for me.
Brickwizard
Well-Known Member
For the first time user I agree the choice, even if you restrict it to the 100 on Distrowatch it looks daunting, that is why I always say try at least 6 different desktop distros to see which you like the look and feel of, and runs best on your kit, or where something more specific is needed I may list a few for them to try, but still usually say something like, you could try, or there are others available or even the applications you need can be installed in most distributions, there is nothing worse than recommending your favourite distribution because you like it, and it works for you, then the poster has a bad experience in trying to install it or running it,
Since this thread's already off-topic, lemme add my 2cents on distro choice and distro-hopping...
Thhe look and feel are fairly irrelevant because most of the time these are just tweaks which you can do in any distro. So what really defines a distro then? IMHO:
- Init system. Not just the default, but whether there's a choice.
- Package management. Yes, times are changing with AppImage, Flatpak, Snappy, etc., but the package management system (if present) defines how core things work. You cannot rely solely on upstream packages because you end up with an unstable mess. I found this with Endeavour OS as opposed to Arch (a pity, because it made a perfect compromise between Manjaro and Arch, though TBH if you use an Arch-deriv, just rather use Arch since the time you save installing becomes a diminishing return when faced with bugs/conflicts that aren't in Arch itself, largely because these distros randomly mix AUR into their distro base and that often breaks updates in the long run).
- Ethics, goals, philosophy..... Value system, basically. Probably the biggest thing here.
So, ask yourself what you are looking to get out of Linux? Security? Stability? Performance? Fun? Freedom? Customisation? Sticking it to M$/crApple? Nice OOTB experience? Ethics? Openness? Purism re GNU philosophy? Full control of your system?
Draw an intersectionality map (lol, hate the word "intersectionality" like I hate "trending" and other neo-isms). Now you can visit some distro sites, learn about them, and make your choice. Obviously, at this stage, the OOTB setup will be a strong deciding factor, but at least you'll have a base that you also like and the knowledge that one day you'll be able to fully customise your DE and focussed solely on the points I discussed above.
Also, I would try to stick to "pure" distros. For example: Manjaro is not Arch the same way Ubuntu is not Debian. Not only will you get better support and a more stable system, but moving down is easier than up (unless you're me), so Debian --> Ubuntu is probably easier than Ubuntu --> Debian (again, except for me; I cringe whenever someone running Ubuntu says "help"). Also, do not forget the diminishing return principle; it pertains to learning, too. Bear in mind that you'll have to learn to do stuff manually any way, so choosing a distro with pretty GUI apps to wipe your bottom will only hinder learning to do things without it in the future. A word to the wise: GUIs change dramatically where their CLI counterparts hardly ever do.
...And when testing the distros you like, try and use them as barebones as possible to get an idea of what's inside.
Thhe look and feel are fairly irrelevant because most of the time these are just tweaks which you can do in any distro. So what really defines a distro then? IMHO:
- Init system. Not just the default, but whether there's a choice.
- Package management. Yes, times are changing with AppImage, Flatpak, Snappy, etc., but the package management system (if present) defines how core things work. You cannot rely solely on upstream packages because you end up with an unstable mess. I found this with Endeavour OS as opposed to Arch (a pity, because it made a perfect compromise between Manjaro and Arch, though TBH if you use an Arch-deriv, just rather use Arch since the time you save installing becomes a diminishing return when faced with bugs/conflicts that aren't in Arch itself, largely because these distros randomly mix AUR into their distro base and that often breaks updates in the long run).
- Ethics, goals, philosophy..... Value system, basically. Probably the biggest thing here.
So, ask yourself what you are looking to get out of Linux? Security? Stability? Performance? Fun? Freedom? Customisation? Sticking it to M$/crApple? Nice OOTB experience? Ethics? Openness? Purism re GNU philosophy? Full control of your system?
Draw an intersectionality map (lol, hate the word "intersectionality" like I hate "trending" and other neo-isms). Now you can visit some distro sites, learn about them, and make your choice. Obviously, at this stage, the OOTB setup will be a strong deciding factor, but at least you'll have a base that you also like and the knowledge that one day you'll be able to fully customise your DE and focussed solely on the points I discussed above.
Also, I would try to stick to "pure" distros. For example: Manjaro is not Arch the same way Ubuntu is not Debian. Not only will you get better support and a more stable system, but moving down is easier than up (unless you're me), so Debian --> Ubuntu is probably easier than Ubuntu --> Debian (again, except for me; I cringe whenever someone running Ubuntu says "help"). Also, do not forget the diminishing return principle; it pertains to learning, too. Bear in mind that you'll have to learn to do stuff manually any way, so choosing a distro with pretty GUI apps to wipe your bottom will only hinder learning to do things without it in the future. A word to the wise: GUIs change dramatically where their CLI counterparts hardly ever do.
...And when testing the distros you like, try and use them as barebones as possible to get an idea of what's inside.
D
Deleted member 137406
Guest
Linux is Linux.
Certain Linux distros install and work OOTB.
Certain Linux distros are easier to use than others.
Certain Linux distros use less system resources than others.
After using any Linux distro for awhile most users if not all users should have enough Linux know how to use most any Linux distro.
Linux distros as Linux Lite and Linux Mint and Ubuntu seem to be easier to learn for the new to Linux user and the forum help is good.
Based from my experience on the Linux forums is some Linux forums are fun and helpful and some Linux forums aren't fun and aren't helpful.
Linux.org is a fun and helpful forum with forum members from all over the world.
Cheers.
Certain Linux distros install and work OOTB.
Certain Linux distros are easier to use than others.
Certain Linux distros use less system resources than others.
After using any Linux distro for awhile most users if not all users should have enough Linux know how to use most any Linux distro.
Linux distros as Linux Lite and Linux Mint and Ubuntu seem to be easier to learn for the new to Linux user and the forum help is good.
Based from my experience on the Linux forums is some Linux forums are fun and helpful and some Linux forums aren't fun and aren't helpful.
Linux.org is a fun and helpful forum with forum members from all over the world.
Cheers.
For starters its GNU/Linux. That being said I have been using GNU/Linux for over 8 years and it utterly dominates most other operating systems. I would like to try BSD and Plan 9 someday though. Just don't have a lot of time. I have also only ever used Arch, Manjaro, Debian, and Ubuntu. Would be nice to try Gentoo, Slackware, NixOS, Fedora, and Linux from Scratch.
That being said, I would say there is nothing wrong with using Windows 7/8. But I can not support the use of Windows 10 unless you enjoy getting sodomized Qaddafi style. "We came we saw we killed"
That being said, I would say there is nothing wrong with using Windows 7/8. But I can not support the use of Windows 10 unless you enjoy getting sodomized Qaddafi style. "We came we saw we killed"
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@Bartman yes this forum is the best I have been in no infighting, mud slinging like in other forums which distract from the purpose of helping people to get their systems running. The moderators deserve a huge thanks for keeping this forum running. Not an easy job at all. Having tutorials for all levels - great as well.
I will not get on here and bash Windows - rather concentrate on the positive sides of running Linux.
I will not get on here and bash Windows - rather concentrate on the positive sides of running Linux.
OP
It can be a right pain in the butt - and time consuming. I spent about 3 hours today just researching users as we have some users who appear to be trying to game the system (to what end, I can only expect spam) with multiple accounts.
It's never a good idea to run an unsupported os because they don't get security updates, so running Windows 10 is still better because it's a supported os.
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Condobloke
Well-Known Member
....and Yep to the nth power
Wow... I HAVE been away for a while. I realize I'm jumping in way late, but... It is what it is.
I bought my first copy of Red-Hat from a guy I found on a BBS that was selling it and much more out of his basement. If my memory serves me, it was called Linux Central. I'll have to check the coffee cup I bough along with the CD. LOL
Before Linux, my first introduction to Unix was SunOS. Didn't get to dig too deaply in to it, but it did get me started with C and BASIC programming in DOS. I moved to IBM AIX at my next job. I ended up maintaining seven workstations. At my current job, I was the network admin for the CAD group which consisted of DOS, IBM, Sun, SGI & HP workstations, with a little dabbling with SCO Unix. That is... until the advent of the PC, for the most part... took 'em out. If your getting the idea that I didn't spend much time in Windows... You're right. 8^)
Just my 2¢
I bought my first copy of Red-Hat from a guy I found on a BBS that was selling it and much more out of his basement. If my memory serves me, it was called Linux Central. I'll have to check the coffee cup I bough along with the CD. LOL
Before Linux, my first introduction to Unix was SunOS. Didn't get to dig too deaply in to it, but it did get me started with C and BASIC programming in DOS. I moved to IBM AIX at my next job. I ended up maintaining seven workstations. At my current job, I was the network admin for the CAD group which consisted of DOS, IBM, Sun, SGI & HP workstations, with a little dabbling with SCO Unix. That is... until the advent of the PC, for the most part... took 'em out. If your getting the idea that I didn't spend much time in Windows... You're right. 8^)
Just my 2¢
OP
After the demise of Digital, we were a Sun shop. Good times. Good times...
A
aesc
Guest
Hello, I'm new here. Did dabble with Linux way back, even went to the very first Linux World Expo where Torvalds was the Keynote Speaker. Fast forward to three weeks ago and I had just bought a new Micro$oft Surface Go Laptop, and one of the first things I did was eliminate Windows 10. Since then I've installed and tried three different distros, for me it's the Desktop, not the distro. Currently I'm liking KDE Plasma and that's a good thing, since apparently Linus likes KDE.
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I personally like the Gnome2, MATE desktop. I really didn't like Gome3 much at all. But that's the beauty of Linux. Choice!
However... We all know that choice can cause a major brain infarction! At any rate, I'd rather be bewildered by choice then stifled the vacuum of no choice. I do not to a great deal of modding the desktop, just enough to were I can keep my hands on the keys and off the mouse as much as possible.
Just my 2¢
P.S. Happy 4th of July!
However... We all know that choice can cause a major brain infarction!
At any rate, I'd rather be bewildered by choice then stifled the vacuum of no choice. I do not to a great deal of modding the desktop, just enough to were I can keep my hands on the keys and off the mouse as much as possible.Just my 2¢
P.S. Happy 4th of July!
I do like Mate, as a faithful, but modernized Gnome2. Used G2 so many years ago, and it's nice to install Mate every now and again for a bit of nostalgia.
A
aesc
Guest
At macOS core is a POSIX-compliant operating system built on top of the XNU kernel with standard Unix facilities available from the command line interface.
A
aesc
Guest
But, everyone isn't using Apple, especially since Micro$oft is the dominant OS, in fact Micro$oft is the largest software company in the world. Talk about dystopian, Windows is why Bill Gates was the richest person in the World for the longest period of time. Get your facts straight. Oh, so you saw one ad (1984) during Super Bowl XVIII and it scared you?
A
aesc
Guest
I did even one better, I went and bought an actual Micro$oft brand Laptop and immediately displaced Windows 10 with Linux. It's neat watching the Micro$oft Windows logo pop up on the screen as the Laptop starts to boot into Linux!
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C
CrazedNerd
Guest
Chill, I was just imagining, screw your condescending bs. Apple is a trillion dollar company by the way, at least in terms of their assets. If that doesn't mean anything, then I don't know what does.
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