Need Linux Distro Suggestions

1. I'm somewhat new to Linux. I've recently tried out Ubuntu and Linux Mint on my laptop. But, after seeing how great they are, I'd like to dual boot with Linux on my Windows 7 desktop.

   I've taken the zegenie distro quiz a few times, but man does it seem unhelpful. I think I'm more confused than before! =)

   

   I think it would be interesting to try out a KDE based distribution as I've only used Gnome. Speed and security are very important to me. I'm running a pretty new high end computer that I built.

   Let me know if you need any other information to help me out.

   Thanks!

   
   

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   Odd
   

   Reputation:5

   Posted 7 months ago

   
   

2. If you liked ubuntu then you may be interested in the KDE version of it called Kubuntu.

   If you want a really good distro suggestion we need to know the sort of thing you will be using it for... as far as speed and security goes they are all fairly good. If you want simple usability in there then ubuntu and mint are probably your best options.

   
   

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   alexward1981
   

   Reputation:101

   Posted 7 months ago

   
   

3. I've heard that Kubuntu is rather forgotten by its developers...would you say this is a problem?

   As for usage I suppose everything other than gaming and video editing (which would be done on Windows 7): web browsing, chat, media, and some homework thrown in there--word processors and such. All pretty simple I guess. Not to say that I'm not a power fanatic. Because I am.

   
   

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   Odd
   

   Reputation:5

   Posted 7 months ago

   
   

4. I'm a fan of openSUSE myself, which has always had first-rate support of KDE.

   
   

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   evan
   

   Reputation:12

   Posted 7 months ago

   
   

5. Hmm could anyone give me a brief explanation of what sets each of these apart?

   Why would one use opensuse over kubuntu for example?

   
   

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   Odd
   

   Reputation:5

   Posted 7 months ago

   
   

6. Bare in mind, I've never used Kubuntu, but if you're interested in KDE I'd go with a distro that has had it as it's main desktop from word one, not bolted on as an after-thought.

   Some people prefer RPM over DEB package management. Seems to be zealots on both sides for this.

   The system admin tools that come with openSUSE (YAST) is pretty straight forward.

   I lot of it comes down to taste, but I've found openSUSE to just have that extra little bit of polish (previously used Fedora which is a bit more utilitarian).

   It isn't brown.

   
   

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   evan
   

   Reputation:12

   Posted 7 months ago

   
   

7. I don't think I've used linux enough to have a preference for RPM or DEB. I don't really know the difference.

   
   

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   Odd
   

   Reputation:5

   Posted 7 months ago

   
   

8. A lot of the differences between Opensuse and Kubuntu come from where they were started. Opensuse came from the Fedora/Redhat projects and Kubuntu from the Ubuntu/Debian projects. The principle differences between them is that opensuse is built with enterprise distribution in mind coming with a powerful administration tool and modular package system while Kubuntu on the other hand while is reasonably modular is mostly known for heavy integration between packages making it easily deployed but hard to modify. Basically the real difference comes down to how do you want to grow with your software? With Opensuse its pretty good in that you can start experimenting with advanced controls while still not having to learn command line programs and config file structures till much later. Kubuntu on the other hand is already fine tuned so if you try to play with key components you can make the system unusable. However Kubuntu is pretty easy to use and makes it possible for complete novices at using a computer able to use Linux which at one point was only understood as a tinkerer's operating system. I would go with opensuse because it gives out more control when you need it but if you're still new to the whole computers thing kubuntu might be a better choice.

   Now the difference between the .rpm and .deb packages is pretty much the format. The real important thing is what package management tool they use to handle those .rpm or .deb packages as those will determine how the packages are handled.

   
   

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   Xovan
   

   Reputation:13

   Posted 7 months ago

   
   

9. I love BackTrack's look and feel. Also runnable from a live CD etc etc.
   I tend to like the darker look a tad more than Ubuntu's colour schemes. BackTrack is essentially more for the network security enthusiast. http://www.backtrack-linux.org/

   Screenshot

   
   

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   TvZ
   

   Reputation:11

   Posted 7 months ago

   
   

10. Debian and its derivatives (*buntu, Mint, Mepis, Knoppix, etc.) are probably the best way to go. They probably form the bulk of installed Linux distributions these days, and they're all similar enough that you won't feel lost moving from one distro to another. You'll have an easier time finding assistance, and you'll probably find a more supportive community with something like Ubuntu or Mint, since they cater toward newer users more than other distributions do.

    Of the derivatives, I'd suggest Kubuntu. It will start you out with a decent KDE desktop with most of the apps you'll need, and if you decide you don't care for it much, you can install GNOME, Xfce, or another environment via the repositories and see what your options are without having to reformat or reinstall the system. Try things out, install them, then remove what you don't like.

    As much as I love Debian (it's what I've used for ten years, now), I wouldn't suggest starting with it. Learn with a derivative and maybe move to it if you ever feel you want less hand-holding or want to set up a server for something. Debian's "stable" distribution is rock-solid and great for servers, though it tends to be a bit behind for desktop use, and its "testing" and "unstable" distributions are good desktops if you've got patience and familiarity with Linux already.

    Another benefit to learning a Debian-based distribution: Debian is also widely ported to many architectures (both new and old) and very configurable, so you can get it (or a variant) to run on almost any hardware, even old hardware, that you encounter. For example, a friend got an old laptop that somebody was going to throw out (64mb RAM, 400mhz processor or less), and put a stripped-down (but current) Debian on it a few days ago.

    Also, to clarify, OpenSUSE is based on Slackware, not Redhat. I can't say much about the quality of it (not familiar enough), but you'll probably see far fewer Slack-based distributions in the wild than you will Debian- or Redhat-based ones. Redhat's pretty common in business use because of support contracts, so there may be motivation to learn it, but starting with *buntu and moving to Debian is probably a better way to learn, both as a beginner and an advanced user.

    
    

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    Marand
    

    Reputation:9

    Posted 7 months ago

    
    

11. Yep Marand is right, my mistake. Opensuse was originally based on slackware.

    
    

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    Xovan
    

    Reputation:13

    Posted 7 months ago