Linux.com

Author Message
Joined: Mar 28, 2008
Posts: 72
Other Topics
Posted May 06, 2008 at 3:26:17 PM
Subject: Don't know what Distro to choose? Look here first.

This is such a common question, on every single Linux forum, mailing list, IRC channel, the lot. To this end, below are a few links which hopefully will help you choose the right Distro for you.
Note: I recommend *always* try a LiveCD of the distro *before* you install it. A LiveCD will give you a good idea of what it's going to be like to use, and wont do anything permanent to your system, unless you tell it to.

Right, after that note, here are some links:
1) Distro quiz: These two sites (here http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/ and here http://polishlinux.org/choose/quiz/ ) have a quick quiz (each) which at the end will suggest a Distro for you based on your answers (and provide a link to the right site).
2) Distrowatch (here: http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major ) Distrowatch has a listing (as the name suggests) of the various distros around, along with pros and cons for each (probably best to look at this after you have a couple of distros in mind).
3) The Linuxforums "Coffee lounge polls" (here: http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/coffee-lounge/57346-polls-special-threads.html ) - A good list of a few polls for: Favourite Distro; Best for Older systems; Servers; New to Linux.
4) Google (no link...) - Google is your friend. A quick search simply for "which Distro ?" turns up about 276,000 results (a bit daunting, but you get the idea). Try searching for a suggested Distro, and read some reviews.
5) Distro sites. - This may seem obvious, but it's something I've come across before; if you're thinking about using a distro (say Ubuntu) go to the distro's website and take a look, look in the forums as well, that's a good place to look to see the sort of support you'll get from the community.

So, that should do for now. Feel free to add to this with some more suggestions.
Please, however, don't post links to your favourite Distro; this isn't meant to plug your favourite Distro, but to help people choose one. (I accept that people are going to respond "but XYZ Distro *is* good for UserFoo" but again, that's not the point, start a new thread about that Distro. Post helpful posts, links etc. to help people find out information in here).

Penguin.

Back to top Profile Email Website
Shashank Sharma
Joined Jan 01, 1970
Posts: 1537
Location:New Delhi, India

Other Topics
Posted: May 12, 2008 1:36:55 AM
Subject: Don't know what Distro to choose? Look here first.

Penguin, those are some excellent pointers. I'd like to add a few points myself:

1. You can read about various Linux distributions here: http://www.linux.com/distributions/

2. When choosing a distribution, one of the things that might be a concern is your existing hardware, the graphics card, the wireless card, etc. Most distributions have their own specific Hardware Compatibility Lists. So refer to the relevant HCL before deciding on your distribution.

3. If you have a very specific purpose, like graphics or music creation, then you should look for distros that serve that purpose. Although, the graphics and music manipulation/creation applications can be installed on any distro, when there already are distros that serve the requirement, go for them. You can discover about the specialty distributions by looking up http://distowatch.com

I think that's it for now. Since this is such a useful and important thread, I've made it a sticky

Cheers!
[Modified by: Shashank Sharma on May 12, 2008 06:16 AM]

Coauthor of Beginning Fedora: From Novice to Professional published by Apress.

Please follow the Forum Guidelines

Back to top Profile Email Website Yahoo!
chart3399
Joined Jun 17, 2008
Posts: 72

Other Topics
Posted: Jul 18, 2008 3:45:59 PM
Subject: Don't know what Distro to choose? Look here first.
Back to top Profile Email Website
Pc$lim
Joined Jul 18, 2008
Posts: 1

Other Topics
Posted: Jul 21, 2008 1:41:22 PM
Subject: Don't know what Distro to choose? Look here first.

Im still a newbie at linux, yet what I have learned I absolutely love. Recently, I was given a Toshiba Satellite A65-S126 for free. I want to put Linux on it but I need one that is going to work with my hardware. Any suggestions?

"May your shit come to life and kiss you on the face." Frank Zappa

Back to top Profile Email Website
Nathan Willis
Joined Jun 12, 2007
Posts: 37
Location:Republica de Texas

Other Topics
Posted: Aug 01, 2008 4:05:00 PM
Subject: Don't know what Distro to choose? Look here first.

Locking this thread. Please ask for more specific personal advice by starting a new thread.

Thanks,
Nate

Back to top Profile Email Website
Tableless layout Validate XHTML 1.0 Strict Validate CSS Powered by Xaraya