linux distro question?

Question

so many choices!

I thought I'd settle with ubuntu, more users, more people to ask for help
but linuxmint is based off it, and shares internal stuff and can prolly ask help form ubuntu users as well, and looks nicer

shortlist of distros here: (http://hehe2.net/linux-general/etymology-of-a-linux-distro/)
made life a bit more complicated as well
PCLinuxOS
Gentoo
argh!

obviously I want something easy to use and possible very windows-like for people using my PC that have are stressed more by these kinds of things, but also want it as fast as possible.

have tried Puppy too and it looks good but doesn't 'feel' right. I think it's the one-click-run thing going on instead of the one-click-select by default on windows.


PC specs:
celeron 2.26
256 RAM (minus 32 or 64 from on-board vid)


also does linux mint have that cube/four panel thingy as well since it is based of ubuntu

Answer 1

If you feel linuxmint is good for you, then take it. I am using Ubuntu now and it is working fine.

Answer 2

Here you go, the most common answer is usually worthless. I have a 1200mhz athalon and run ubuntu.

I have tried many others and diffrent hardware setups as well. The live cd's "work" out of the box, but there are still many installations needed to optimize the OS

for your machine. 256 is low for ubuntu. I honestly recomend more ram, processor speed is not as important with linux. I use a 350mhz test machine for all distros and swap between 256 and 512. It will run.

but not as nice. The cube thing, "compiz fusion", will work on almost all of them with the right commands.

I suggest using a nvidia card, it is the easiest and most dependable. otherwise board graphics have proved to be near useless. I also use a celeron 2.2 to test with board graphics and intel is not the way to go with linux.

Good luck

BTW= if you get an nvidia card, try saybayon.

Answer 3

I don't know about linux mint having beryl or compiz, though either way you can compile it in or add it via repositories.



I'd probably stick with ubuntu for exactly the reasons you said if you are new to it.



Remember though, every single distribution can be configured to work just like any other, at the end of the day there really aren't that many differences between any of them.

Answer 4

Sabayon Linux is by far the best, you get all the enhanced desktop options (including the cube) in the Compiz Manager. Its free and you can also use it as a live CD, which means you dont have to install it, just pop the CD in. Also you get a wide range of applications free with it, and fun games too.

Answer 5

Ubuntu is develop for ease of use and optimized for desktop use.

If you want a linux in windows approach/style Choose Kubuntu .. Kubuntu is using KDE environment which is very close to windows style .



Well for me Gentoo is not for linux newbies .. It is much more fitted for developers . So it's up to you where you are comfortable at.

Answer 6

There are 2 that i admire: Debian and Kubuntu. Debian has 1000's of help classes (applications and utilities). Kubuntu is an off-shoot of Debian and has become extensive-unfold considering it fairly is a "plug and play" substitute for domicile windows. It purely works devoid of any flaws.

Answer 7

Ubuntu or Kubuntu (more pleasing to the eye) is good becos it is directed toward less tech savy pple