DEFINITIVE: Which Linux Distro? (poll)


Which Linux Distro do you prefer?  

773 members have voted

  1. 1. Which Linux Distro do you prefer?

    • Slackware (or derivatives)
      33
    • Debian
      56
    • SUSE Linux (or derivatives)
      99
    • Fedora Core (or Redhat, or RHEL)
      120
    • Gentoo (or derivatives)
      86
    • Ubuntu
      273
    • Other Debian Derivative (Mepis, Kanotix, etc)
      25
    • Arch
      19
    • Linspire
      22
    • Mandriva
      40


Recommended Posts

ok thanks for that. i'll get on with downloading it! another question what is KDE is it another Linux Distro or an addon?

586340408[/snapback]

What is KDE? That is a Desktop Environment. It can run on any Linux/BSD distro.

Here is a little guide on how Linux is put together that I wrote up several months ago...

https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=259962

What is KDE?  That is a Desktop Environment.  It can run on any Linux/BSD distro.

Here is a little guide on how Linux is put together that I wrote up several months ago...

https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=259962

586341792[/snapback]

Thank you very much, you've been a big help!

Greetings,

I am practically new to the whole Linux thing and was wondering what OS to go for? I liked the look of SuSE 9.3, Debian and Yoper. But I don't know what one to choose. I know that this is wrong but some of them like Debian and Yoper look alike. Or is that just me. Anyways, any help or assistance to which one would be nice. If there's one that can handle Cedega/Half-Life 2, it would be interesting. DivX and video playback would be good as well. Another point, does certain Linux Distros let Laptops run for longer on batteries, or is that just psuedo-science?

Any assistance, help and advice different to the other 3 Distributions above would also be gratefully accepted. PM me if you think there's something better or more useful.

Cheers,

Iamit2900

If you are trying to pick a distro because of how it looks, you need to re-think a bit. Any distro can look like another, just by which Window Manager or Desktop Environment you use on it. Add your preferred theme, and they all look alike.

As for battery usage, I have heard the story all three ways: Linux is better/same/worse on batteries. I think it boils down to whether the hardware is fully supported in Linux. If so, then Linux can very efficiently throttle the CPU and extend battery life (the kernel frequency holds something on this, from what I have been able to gather, but don't know if it is significant). If your install runs the CPU at full speed, even when idle, then your battery life will stink.

If you are trying to pick a distro because of how it looks, you need to re-think a bit.  Any distro can look like another, just by which Window Manager or Desktop Environment you use on it.  Add your preferred theme, and they all look alike.

As for battery usage, I have heard the story all three ways: Linux is better/same/worse on batteries.  I think it boils down to whether the hardware is fully supported in Linux.  If so, then Linux can very efficiently throttle the CPU and extend battery life (the kernel frequency holds something on this, from what I have been able to gather, but don't know if it is significant).  If your install runs the CPU at full speed, even when idle, then your battery life will stink.

586410722[/snapback]

I was just remarking from the screenshots, I don't normally pick something simply because it looks good or bad. But with Linux I don't understand it entirely, in terms of technical information. How do you decide what is the best Linux distribution for you? For example, why do you use the Linux flavour that you use and why?

  • 3 weeks later...

I am just wondering, what is the best linux for me.

I will use it for programming, the internet, emails, and misc. Linux stuff.

I don't want anything too high maintenance either.

I want it to be efficient and fast, and not take 4 years to boot up.

I would like a slim/simple looking GUI, but I guess I can change this...

I would also like to setup a Dualboot with Windows XP, how is this done?

I am a linux n00b, but not stupid at using PC's - as I used to use PC's even when I was very young 6 or so, and then it was all DOS commands.

Thankyou...

(Please can you tell me why you recommend particular distros?)

I am just wondering, what is the best linux for me.

I will use it for programming, the internet, emails, and misc. Linux stuff.

I don't want anything too high maintenance either.

I want it to be efficient and fast, and not take 4 years to boot up.

I would like a slim/simple looking GUI, but I guess I can change this...

I would also like to setup a Dualboot with Windows XP, how is this done?

586496564[/snapback]

Sounds like general-usage computing to me...

* post moved into pinned "which distro" poll thread *

As far as dual-booting, most distros will set that up for you.

Ok, I reserved some HDD space for a Linux install, but now I don't know which distro to install. I would like something that is user friendly and it can easy install packages- as little compiling as possile. I have a few choices such as Mandriva Linux, Fedora Core 4, or Ubuntu. I'm open for other suggestions, as long as it's not SuSE.

Thanks.

Desktop/LX

( http://www.lycoris.com/ ) Failed these criterias:

# Only a demo version is free

Desktop/LX is an operating system designed with your ease of use in mind. Desktop/LX loads ready for Internet access, office productivity, multimedia, entertainment, and more.

Mandriva

Mandriva Linux, formerly known as Mandrake Linux, is a friendly Linux Operating System which specializes in ease-of-use for both servers and the home/office. It is freely available in many languages throughout the world.

Visit Mandriva at: http://www.mandrivalinux.org/

Failed these criterias:

# Does not have one-click installable applications

Mandriva, SuSE and Fedora all are simple to use, as well as outstanding package managers. Your "one-click" criteria for installing apps doesn't even hold true for Windows.......

YAST, YUM, URPMI, RPMDrake, Up2Date, Apt (using Synaptic), or any other of these geart package managers are just as easy as Windows Update. And they update EVERYTHING on your computer.. not just the operating system.

To make an intelligent choice, go to http://www.distrowatch.com and read the reviews of each of these (and others). Then you can make some realistic and accurate decisions about what flavor of Linux will suit your needs. :yes:

Barney

Edited by barneyt

Ok, I reserved some HDD space for a Linux install, but now I don't know which distro to install. I would like something that is user friendly and it can easy install packages- as little compiling as possile. I have a few choices such as Mandriva Linux, Fedora Core 4, or Ubuntu. I'm open for other suggestions, as long as it's not SuSE.

Thanks.

586510824[/snapback]

* merged into the definitive thread *

Ok, I'm pretty sure there are tones of other people who already asked this question but ya...I worked a bit with RedHat about 2 years ago but pretty much lost it all.... and I was wondering if anyone could tell me which client is best to start with!

Thanx!

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • with LTSC and ESU there are still viable as a stable platform not that they care and let people deal with w11 crashing and burning every month support mean shet if the platform is trash
    • Most boring game ever. Repetitive, empty, predictable, and full of cliches. Total waste of time and money, IMO.
    • Mafia: The Old Country expansion Man of Honor announced, brings back Salieri from original by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe During Summer Game Fest, 2K and Hanger 13 brought out a new Mafia: The Old Country trailer, revealing the game's first expansion. Named Man of Honor, this is slated to add two new chapters to the Enzo storyline that the game follows. There is an iconic character returning to the series with this expansion, with players set to run into Ennio Salieri, the future Don of the Salieri crime family. Fans of the original Mafia, or its Definitive Edition remake, may remember that name as one of the biggest characters in the storyline. This expansion is set prior to his rise to being the kingpin in the City of Lost Heaven. "Set in Sicily during the winter of 1905, Enzo Favara has proven himself a reliable soldier of the Torrisi crime family in the months since his initiation," says the studio about the new chapters. "Now, the Don entrusts him and Cesare with a delicate assignment of assisting Ennio Salieri, a man of honor recently released from prison and intent on reclaiming what is his." Working at Salieri's side, players will be heading into fresh environments as they return to the role of Enzo as a high-ranking soldato. The studio also promises brand-new weapons, fresh vehicles, and charms to collect in this expansion. Moreover, the expansion will add new content to the updated Free Ride mode. Alongside new collectibles and locations, this will add more challenges to beat alongside Salieri, which are described as runs that will "test the skills of even the most elite mafiosi." The Mafia: The Old Country Man of Honor story expansion will release on August 14, 2026, across PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. It will cost $10 for owners of the base game to jump into.
    • Try installing Logitech Options
    • Telltale returns with The Wolf Among Us, re-revealing the sequel and a new remaster by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe Telltale Games, the studio known for its episodic games from the 2000s, had a surprise appearance at the Summer Game Fest showcase today. The studio has gone through a collapse, an acquisition, and a revival but has largely gone silent in recent years. Today's sudden announcement was for the popular The Wolf Among Us series, with news about the sequel and a remaster dropping. Set after the events of the 2013-released title, the sequel will bring back Biby Wolf for a new adventure in Fabletown. This town of fairy tale characters is becoming unstable, with Snow White not being able to keep order as before. "When a brutal series of crimes threatens to fracture the fragile balance holding Fabletown together, Bigby Wolf, sheriff of Fabletown, finds himself drawn into a dangerous conspiracy that reaches deep into the city’s criminal underworld," says the studio. "As suspicion spreads across the city and powerful forces work against him, Bigby must uncover the truth and decide what kind of sheriff - and what kind of wolf - he is willing to become." At the same time, Telltale also announced The Wolf Among Us Remastered, bringing back the classic with a fresh coat of paint. This will include all five episodes from the original game plus over an hour of extra content that will offer behind-the-scenes videos, cast interviews, image galleries, and deleted scenes. The remaster will also have updated visuals and improved UI elements and accessibility features, alongside upgrades to the animations, audio, and frame rates. Telltale has been working on this project for almost a decade now, but if the new release schedule holds, fans will be able to jump into The Wolf Among Us 2 sometime in 2027. As for The Wolf Among Us Remastered, this is slated to release during this holiday season.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Rookie
      moog19 went up a rank
      Rookie
    • Mentor
      grik went up a rank
      Mentor
    • Dedicated
      JKR earned a badge
      Dedicated
    • One Year In
      CHUNWEI earned a badge
      One Year In
    • Conversation Starter
      FBSPL earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      488
    2. 2
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      270
    3. 3
      Skyfrog
      76
    4. 4
      Steven P.
      68
    5. 5
      FloatingFatMan
      63
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!