Linux.com :: Choosing a distribution

Author	Message
Mordocai Joined: Jan 06, 2009 Posts: 1 Other Topics	Posted Jan 06, 2009 at 3:03:20 AM Subject: Choosing a distribution I have been using linux casually for the last year or so, and haven't moved completely over simply because I was playing some games, and using some programs, that would not work under WINE. However, I am no longer playing said games, or using the programs. I want a distribution that has a balance between being "light"(as in I don't have too much software that I don't really need), and being easy to set up. I have the technical ability to install and configure most distributions, but I don't want to, if I don't have to. Compiling doesn't bother me at all.
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Peterson Espaçoporto Joined Jan 06, 2009 Posts: 7 Other Topics	Posted: Jan 06, 2009 3:31:02 AM Subject: Choosing a distribution My personal opinion is that Ubuntu is the easiest to set up (or Linux Mint, but since compiling doesn't bother you I think installing some mp3 support won't be much of a hassle =D). The only thing is that it's not that light (when it comes to softwre selection). It doesn't come with a lot of crap, though; I think you'll just have to uninstall some apps you don't use =)
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Joined Jul 26, 2008 Posts: 703 Location: Other Topics	Posted: Jan 06, 2009 5:20:55 AM Subject: Choosing a distribution Puppy Dingo or NimbleX 2008 sounds like it will fit the bill.
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cagalli Joined Dec 29, 2008 Posts: 2 Other Topics	Posted: Jan 06, 2009 3:11:03 PM Subject: Choosing a distribution Try slackware :)
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Debianrulz Joined Jan 07, 2009 Posts: 5 Other Topics	Posted: Jan 07, 2009 6:37:19 AM Subject: Re: Choosing a distribution Debian is a good balance of configuration and light performance demands. You should have some configuration as defaults are not to be trusted.
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Rubberman Joined Jul 30, 2007 Posts: 944 Location:40 miles west of Chicago Other Topics	Posted: Jan 08, 2009 6:49:49 PM Subject: Choosing a distribution I've done well with CentOS and Ubuntu, and for those few Windows applications that won't run under Wine I use Sun's VirtualBox VM to run Windows as a guest OS. I have had very good results with that. Since it seems you are using Windows mostly for games, then you probably don't need much more than a basic installation and space to load your games. In my case, I use VirtualBox to run my stock/option trading software (Fidelity Active Trader Pro and Option Trader Pro) and my UML software modeling/design tool (Sparx Enterprise Architect) which only run well on a Windows system directly. Sparx does sort of work with Wine, but it has real glitches that make it unsuitable that way. The Fidelity software won't run with Wine at all. For just about everything else, I have found suitable FOSS replacements that run on Linux, such as CD/DVD ripping/burning software (K3b), office stuff (OpenOffice 3.x), software development (Eclipse + GNU), etc. So, if you are running on a typical PC or laptop, try Ubuntu (or Kubuntu). If you are running on a high-end workstation like I am (8 cores, 8GB, 4TB, dual 24" ws monitors), try CentOS. There are others that you might personally prefer, but these are rock solid. I use VirtualBox to run experimental distributions (such as Mepis, Xandros, et al) under either of these before I try a hardware installation. BTW, if you are running a recent PC/laptop/workstation, then I HIGHLY recommend you use the 64bit versions of Linux. You can still run 32bit Windows apps either with Wine or in a VirtualBox VM. Sometimes real fast is almost as good as real time. Remember, Google is your friend!
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