Linux?

[danaeris]

My father writes me:
Hi sweetie,

A big computer store is going out of biz and is having a close out sale. So my questions as to which version of Linux I should look for has become more timely.

Any comments?

I have looked at Mandrake, Red Hat, and Xandros. They all promise the same seamless stuff.

My plan is to buy a used computer, become Linux literate over the Winter, and then with no hurry at all in place, switch this computer over, thus never having to pay big bucks for OS or such software again.

Then in the year 2037, I intend to travel to - - - ----

luv
Dad

p.s. A Miata with an auto? Egads! ;-)

Anyone have recommendations for him?

Comments

[ashlupa.livejournal.com]

To learn with? Might as well go slackware, unless he's a coder and might enjoy debian. Gentoo is nice too.

[angelbob.livejournal.com]

If you've got reasonable resources, I've never seen anything install more painlessly than Mandrake. It kinda sucks for serious work, but I doubt what he's doing fits my definition of "serious work" :-)

[fyfer.livejournal.com]

I've only really used RedHat and debian. Regardless of technical merit, RedHat seems like a good choice for people who are used to Windows. At least, the people in my old lab seemed to prefer it. It's not too hard to get and install updates, it's not too intimidating, and there are reasonable default configurations that are explained pretty well. It's probably true that each aspect of RedHat's model has been done better by someone else, and it's probably true that there are aesthetic or technical flaws in how they chose to do some things, but it's pretty easy for people to get into. I think debian is probably better overall. I also think it's not the most user-friendly setup, and that can make a big difference.

*ducks, awaiting flames*

[sinboy.livejournal.com]

Debian gets my vote.

[lyadann.livejournal.com]

Seconding fyfer. Red Hat is evil, but it's probably the best option for someone trying to learn linux. I know a fair number of people who've converted from Windows, started on Red Hat and either really liked it or moved on to something else once they were familiar enough with it. As far as a personal preference, mine is slack.

[digitalsidhe.livejournal.com]

For someone with no previous Linux/Unix experience, coming from Windows, I'd recommend Mandrake, with Red Hat running second. As much as I personally like using Slackware, and also have a high opinion of Debian, they wouldn't top my recommendation list for incoming Windows types.

Also, I'd point out to him that, unlike with Windows, there are many different GUIs available. (Gnome, KDE, and Enlightenment are the biggest.) He can simply install all of them, then try them out and see which one he likes the best. They all work "essentially like Windows", but have sort of different styles. (And each is customizable, as well.) I think understanding that level of variability is something that isn't immediately obvious to Windows folks, accustomed as they are to "you can have any GUI you like, as long as it's the one that comes with this version of Windows". (Intended as a reference to Henry Ford's quote about Model T color schemes.)

[geekosaur]

I'd actually put SuSE first but it's not among the candidates. :) I'll agree with Mandrake first, Red Hat second.

HOWEVER:

At the risk of really inciting flames... does he have any idea what he's getting into? Linux is a long, long way from being usable by ordinary users.

[lobotomymonkey.livejournal.com]

Asking advice on which version of Linux to use is the beginning of a very bloody Holy War. :)

That being said, I vote for Debian.

[biailisha.livejournal.com]

redhat.

[angelovernh.livejournal.com]

my roommate, Patrick, is a Linux Guru.. he's been in the field for >15 yrs and is really quite an expert. We ran Red Hat for many years. He just recently changed over to Debian and is MUCH happier with it.

good luck with this