Shawn Powers of Linux Journal briefly introduces 9 Linux distributions in about 6 minutes. He starts with 5 tiny Linux distros, which are well suited for low end computers and ends with 4 distros which are more demanding when it comes to hardware resources.
- Puppy linux
- Puppy Linux is a very small distro (93MB) that can be run entirely from RAM which makes it lightning fast.
- DSLinux
- The main goal of the DSLinux project is to port the Linux operating system to the video game console NintendoDS.
- Slax
- Slax is a small and fast Linux distribution with a modular approach based on the original Linux distribution Slackware. You can build your own Slax image by selecting the packages to include from the application directory on the Slax website.
- MEPIS
- MEPIS is based on Debian Linux and is designed for simplicity and ease of use. MEPIS comes with a lot of applications for a wide variety of tasks.
- Linux Mint
- Linux Mint is also based on the solid Debian Linux and is compatible with Ubuntu repositories. It has a strong focus on usability and on making stuff like WiFi, multimedia, screen resolution, etc. work out of the box.
- PCLinuxOS
- PCLinuxOS is based on Mandriva and includes the same Control Center for configuring the system and the draklive installer.
- openSUSE
- The ambitious goals of the openSUSE project are to make it the easiest Linux distribution to obtain, the most widely used open source platform, and to dramatically simplify the packaging process to make it the number one choice for Linux hackers and application developers.
- Mandriva
- The highlights of Mandriva Linux, formerly known as Mandrake, are GUI tools for configuring the system, and the transfugdrake migration tool, for importing documents and settings from a Windows system.
- Gentoo
- The Gentoo developers call their system a metadistribution because of its adaptability. Gentoo is based on the Portage package management system, which requires to compile the source code of packages locally. Gentoo is also advertised with extreme configurability, which also means that configuration takes it time.
There are many Linux distributions. Too many too name them all here. While diversity is certainly a strength of Open Source software, it sometimes makes it hard to choose the best system to satisfy your needs. Personally, I currently use Ubuntu as a desktop and Debian as a server operating system. What are your favorite Linux distributions and why?
Comments
I tried quite a few Linux
I tried quite a few Linux distros. For me Ubuntu is my favorite, even for a Netbook. It seems to have the least problems and has good hardware support. It even works with Skype, after a couple of tweaks.
My only complaint with Ubuntu is the ugly default brown/orange 'Human' theme. It's easy enough to change to Clearlooks or Mist for a blue Windows like theme.
I think Xubuntu would be better for low power Netbooks, but the Xfce desktop environment doesn't support my 1024x600 resolution screen.
For me Debian is the best. I
For me Debian is the best. I have been using Linux for several years.
- I initially started with SLS then Mandrake.
- Then used windoze for awhile while development picked up on linux a bit.
- I went to SuSE, but found it was a memory hog like Vista, and later SuSE started sleeping with the enemy Micro$oft. I dumped them like a ton of bricks.
- My search continued by downloading several distros and trying them out, ,
- I finally Downloaded Debian Sarge 3.1, and 2 releases later Im still stuck with Debian :o)
- I also Use sidux which is a polished Unstable version of Debian.
I recommend Debian, it is the mother of several distros like Knoppix & Ubuntu. Then several other distros are based on these two for an even greater branch of Debian based Distros.
I use Knoppix 5.1 LiveCD regularly to edit partitions, as a utility disk.
Debian Rules all!
I've Used Many Distributions
I've Used Many Distributions They Are -
Fedora - Great For People Wanting The Cutting Edge Of Free (As In Speech) And Open Source Software. Configuring RPM Fusion (For Drivers And Codecs) And Switching From Fedora Is Quite Frustrating (Especially On Manual Partitioning Due To Logical Volume Management).
Mandriva - Great For New People Who Want To Try A RPM Based Distro That Is Just As Friendly As Ubuntu.
(Note: If You Run Legacy (Old) Graphics Card You Will Not Be Able To Use Mandriva 2009.1 Spring Or Higher.
PCLinuxOS - Great For People For Need/Require A Mandriva Distro That Uses Old Software Or Has Graphics Card Trouble.
OpenSUSE - Great For Nvidia Graphics Card Users (Official Repository) And KDE Fans (70% KDE User Base With Thousands Of Contributions (Most Noticeable: KNetworkManager And KRunner)). OpenSUSE All In One Configuration Tool YAST Is Similar To Control Panel On Windows and Has A Useful Suggested Partitioning Tool In It's Installer (Great For Removing LVM Partitions From Fedora).
Ubuntu And All Debian Based Distros - Great For Everyone (Especially Newcomers).
I Would Suggest Going With Ubuntu If Your A Newcomer And Then Move To One Of The Others Based On What They Are Good At.
If You Own A NetBook Or A NoteBook Choose Any You Wish To Use. If You Also Own A Desktop PC or MAC Choose A Distro That Work On Both Your PC/MAC And Your Laptop.
I recommend Linux Mint as it
I recommend Linux Mint as it is compatible with Ubuntu and Debian. Its very robust and comes pretty nice out of the box. It plays all the multimedia files I find on the internet.
I agree with recommending
I agree with recommending LINUX Mint. I have been using Linux since 2001. I started out with Mandrake, then went to SuSe. As SuSe became bloated, I went to Ubuntu. Ubuntu runs great, but the initial graphics is just plain ugly. Then by accident I found Linux Mint. This is the best operating I have ever used. When I install software, I expect it to work. Linux Mint looks great and runs quickly.
I wanted to try something
I wanted to try something different from windows as that has been my only experience for the last 10 years. I have an old gateway 7330gz laptop and when I tried Ubuntu 9.10 and ran into A LOT of problems including that with my resolution and codecs. Mint however work fresh out the box. I highly recommend Mint to any new comer to linux.
My first successful visit in
My first successful visit in a serious way to Linux was via Puppy Linux back in 2005, just prior to the release of version 1. Windows refugees and bloat-avoidants take note that Puppy has matured into a stable, fast, easy-to-configure-and-use distribution, that now powers our family's shared computer full time. Every time I need to journey back to Windows (an onerous task which has become less and less frequent), I find myself becoming very edgy and impatient to return to the speedy, comfortable home which creator Barry Kauler (and a talented, friendly bunch of volunteer developers and users) have made for me. It runs flawlessly on even my oldest computers, boots in less than 30 seconds on all of them, with upgrades consisting merely of a quick copy of five files from an iso burned to a CD. Installation options include a frugal install (even on a Windows partition), USB and flash drives, and a multi-session CD or DVD option that allows me to take my entire desktop with me anywhere. Open Office loads in approximately 4 seconds, as does GIMP. If you can't live without certain favorite Windows programs, Wine in Puppy makes that possible, too. It is difficult to explain the joy of running everything in RAM; but once you've been there, you won't want to go back.
My first linux os was Fedora
My first linux os was Fedora 7, it got me started. Tried PCLOS 2007 but the updates didn't work. Had Fedora 9 for 6 months,but the updates slowed my computer so badly I went to Mint 7 (Gloria),which I still use. Now I'm using PCLOS minime 2010, had to type in noscsi for it to work. I still try as many live cd's as I can. Mint 7 and PCLOS minime are so very close in ease and functionality they are about a tie, with mint having a slight edge. I like minime because YOU can easily choose what apps to select and use. * Compaq nc6000, 1.5 GHZ intel m, 512 ram, 40G HDD(Mint7), 60G HDD(PCLOS minime)
my fav's distros are Ubuntu
my fav's distros are Ubuntu and fedora for big laptops and slax for net books
personalty, i like the human theam