If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)

Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Hi all,
Vanilla are planning an update to the site on April 24th (next Wednesday). It is a major PHP8 update which is expected to boost performance across the site. The site will be down from 7pm and it is expected to take about an hour to complete. We appreciate your patience during the update.
Thanks all.

Which distribution for a newbie?

MarVeL · 2004-08-30 10:44:48

Ok so I'm a complete neophyte in the world of Linux and I'm going to be setting up a box in the next week or so. Anyone any suggestions as to which distribution would be the best to get? Looking to run it as a basic desktop (for learning purposes) and possibly an email server.

Options

Comments

Options
#62 03-09-2005 3:42pm
mneylon

Registered Users Posts: 7,739 ✭✭✭

Join Date: April 2001

Posts: 7231

Goodshape wrote:

Linspire is free for the next few days.

Usually costs around $50 I think.. reason being that it includes some licenced components (Java, Windows Media, Flash, etc.)

Java, Flash players and players compatible with Windows media maybe described as "non-free" due to their licenses not being GPL, however that is not the reason behind linspire charging for their license.

Blog | Tweets

0
Options
#63 03-09-2005 4:41pm
Goodshape

Registered Users Posts: 8,488 ✭✭✭

Join Date: October 2001

Posts: 8168

blacknight wrote:

Java, Flash players and players compatible with Windows media maybe described as "non-free" due to their licenses not being GPL, however that is not the reason behind linspire charging for their license.

Well, I'm sure it's a factor. What is the reason?

0
Options
#64 10-11-2005 12:29pm
JackKelly

Registered Users Posts: 3,225 ✭✭✭

Join Date: June 2003

Posts: 2943

i just started with ubuntu, and i have to recommend it. It's not too far away from the windows look, and is not to difficult to navigate/learn. Also, has great support over on ubuntuforums.org.

0
Options
#65 18-11-2005 1:54am
r3l4x

Closed Accounts Posts: 16 ✭

Join Date: November 2005

Posts: 14

Fedore or Mandrake if we are talking about Linux.
FreeBSD or Frenzy if we are talking about Unix.

0
Options
#66 18-11-2005 8:09am
HomunQlus

Closed Accounts Posts: 210 ✭✭

Join Date: October 2005

Posts: 190

r3l4x wrote:

Fedore or Mandrake if we are talking about Linux.
FreeBSD or Frenzy if we are talking about Unix.

It's been renamed to Mandriva Linux...

0
Advertisement
Options
#67 18-11-2005 9:11am
r3l4x

Closed Accounts Posts: 16 ✭

Join Date: November 2005

Posts: 14

HomunQlus wrote:

It's been renamed to Mandriva Linux...

Never used it for a long time. I think debian is the best.

0
Options
#68 18-11-2005 2:51pm
Capt'n Midnight

Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 90,695 Mod ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: March 2003

Posts: 88935

r3l4x wrote:

Never used it for a long time. I think debian is the best.

don't forget that both Knoppix and ubuntu are debian based.

0
Options
#69 18-11-2005 5:21pm
r3l4x

Closed Accounts Posts: 16 ✭

Join Date: November 2005

Posts: 14

Capt'n Midnight wrote:

don't forget that both Knoppix and ubuntu are debian based.

Very good point.

0
Options
#70 04-12-2005 4:57pm
djmarkus

Registered Users Posts: 1,606 ✭✭✭

Join Date: January 2005

Posts: 1478

r3l4x wrote:

Very good point.

I personally think Mepis is the best linux for a newbie, also based on debian. liveCD and if you like it you can install from the livecd

0
Options
#71 12-12-2005 7:17pm
jaqian

Registered Users Posts: 1,724 ✭✭✭

Join Date: September 2004

Posts: 1539

Goodshape wrote:

Linspire is free for the next few days.

Usually costs around $50 I think.. reason being that it includes some licenced components (Java, Windows Media, Flash, etc.) which should make it the most n00b friendly distro out there.

Haven't used it myself, but sure I may as well grab it all the same

I have it very polished looking software, very easy to use and works easily with ripwave. Using it as we speak, well type I'd recommend it for a newb being one myself. Btw its both a LIVE cd and an Install cd. Very handy.

0
Advertisement
Options
#72 12-12-2005 10:11pm
Capt'n Midnight

Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 90,695 Mod ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: March 2003

Posts: 88935

http://www.puppylinux.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puppy_Linux

It has a windows look and feel and has basic support for most things including word processing and spreadsheets. This and a small foot print means it can be sneaked onto a older windows 95/98 box. 55MB download and can use a 256MB file on a FAT partition so no need to reformat or anything.

Can also get loadlin.exe and run it from Dos / Safe Mode command prompt

I'm can't confirm this but

Along with Morphix, Puppy Linux is one of the only Linux LiveCD distributions able to save files to the LiveCD itself (multisession), allowing users to carry data, and more importantly, added programs and customized settings, along with them in the CD.. Puppy-multisession is 55.7M

0
Options
#73 11-03-2006 7:58pm
Sparky

Registered Users Posts: 22,231 ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: December 2004

Posts: 21306

linux noob here aswell, started off a few months back with a distro called College linux, found that pretty crap so i decided to use debain as i was building a webserver, kde and x didnt come as standard so i had to use the apt-get install command to get all them aswell as installing apache and php mysql etc. I then decided to use ubuntu on the laptop with GNOME, then decided to install KDE Kubuntu aswell just to have the option.
Finding linux great, some have said i should of started off on an easier distro but i like to learn things the hard way and learn from mistakes and work from there.

0
Options
#74 12-03-2006 5:14pm
Steveire

Registered Users Posts: 1,418 ✭✭✭

Join Date: June 2004

Posts: 1236

I'm the same. Newbie, but just going to jump right in. I think I'm gonna try to get Fedora Core 4 in operation. I've no idea what that involves in terms of partitions or anything, so time to start reading...

Actually, after a bit of googling, I reckon it'd take too much time to read enough to understand how to do it. Maybe next year...

0
Options
#75 12-03-2006 10:36pm
djmarkus

Registered Users Posts: 1,606 ✭✭✭

Join Date: January 2005

Posts: 1478

Was a mepis man, now i've converted to openSuse 10 for my desktop distro, very nice, had some trouble getting it to play mp3's and such but now its exacly the way i like it.

0
Options
#76 13-03-2006 10:54am
jaqian

Registered Users Posts: 1,724 ✭✭✭

Join Date: September 2004

Posts: 1539

Steveire wrote:

I'm the same. Newbie, but just going to jump right in. I think I'm gonna try to get Fedora Core 4 in operation. I've no idea what that involves in terms of partitions or anything, so time to start reading...

Actually, after a bit of googling, I reckon it'd take too much time to read enough to understand how to do it. Maybe next year...

I'm a newb as well and it pretty straight forward IMO to partition the drive(s), the distro does it all for you.

However you're in luck. There will be a Linux meet-up in UCD on the 25th of this month and if you wanna bring your computer/laptop along, I'll (or someone else) will whatever flavour of Linux you want, just bring your own distro. If you haven't got one though, I'll have a few different ones with me: openSUSE, Mandriva,DSL, Mepis, Knoppix etc

Heres the thread incase you 're interested: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054893537

0
Options
#77 14-03-2006 11:01am
Sparky

Registered Users Posts: 22,231 ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: December 2004

Posts: 21306

What I really like about Linux is the 'apt-get install' feature. Its so much easier than Windows.

0
Options
#78 14-03-2006 9:39pm
Steveire

Registered Users Posts: 1,418 ✭✭✭

Join Date: June 2004

Posts: 1236

jaqian wrote:

I'm a newb as well and it pretty straight forward IMO to partition the drive(s), the distro does it all for you.

However you're in luck. There will be a Linux meet-up in UCD on the 25th of this month and if you wanna bring your computer/laptop along, I'll (or someone else) will whatever flavour of Linux you want, just bring your own distro. If you haven't got one though, I'll have a few different ones with me: openSUSE, Mandriva,DSL, Mepis, Knoppix etc

Heres the thread incase you 're interested: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054893537

Well, Fedora Core 5 is out in a week, so maybe I'll go for that. While I have your attention, you might save me a few hours looking through installation manuals and FAQs...

[strike]I thought I'd have to make the partition myself (which I don't have a problem with anyway), but you're saying that the partition will be made as part of the installation process?
I'll probably want to select which OS I want to use when I turn on my computer (XP or Fedora). Will there be an option to configure that during the install process, or will I need to set it up after?[/strike](found the answers to these here)
I assume I want the i386 version here. It's a samsung laptop I'm going to try it on. I guess it's an IBM compatible. How can I be sure that's the correct download?
I clearly haven't read any of the literature. Thanks for your help.

0
Options
#79 26-03-2006 12:03am
DerMon

Registered Users Posts: 10 ✭

Join Date: August 2005

Posts: 10

quoting netron
"Ubuntu's KDE version - Kubuntu - has a KDE menu that is a total nightmare. Mandrake's KDE menu system is polished and refined and dead easy."

Couldn't disagree more, as a relative newbie (wish somebody would bloody well define that term precisely ), I find kubuntu the easiest distro to install and use. If a windows user asked me to install a linux for them, I'd choose kubuntu every time. guess everybodys experiences vary just as much as their opinions

0
Options
#80 27-03-2006 12:37am
Aard

Registered Users Posts: 4,905 ✭✭✭

Join Date: June 2005

Posts: 4776

Just thought I'd post to say that I installed Ubuntu today on my old crappy computer, and if it all works out ok, I might just put it on my proper computer. The only thing that's bugging me is that the screen is gone a bit weird ... about eight thin fuzzy lines running down the screen; I have no idea what it's about, it certainly wasnt there before.

0
Options
#81 27-04-2006 7:00am
philologos

Closed Accounts Posts: 22,479 ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: January 2005

Posts: 22118

ishnid wrote:

I've seen this claim being made in a few places but I've yet to see anybody giving any reasons why. Care to elaborate?

I'd disagree with that I think GNOME is the most userfriendly.

And yeah you should try out Ubuntu Breezy (however I am using dapper beta since it didnt support my printer) but now I use it as a file server a print server with CUPS, a HTTP server, mailserver, and all running PHP, MYSQL, all the things for my webdevelopment really. Ubuntu is a very easy operating system to manage

0
Advertisement
Options
#82 30-06-2006 6:21pm
Will

Closed Accounts Posts: 19,183 ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: July 2005

Posts: 18544

I tried installing ubuntu (breezy badger) a while ago on my machine, needless to say didnt go well. Formatted my hdd got it all back in the end but have been apprehensive about installing dapper drake. Even though its ment to be so simple this time. Got myself an external hd to back up my stuff, gonna give it a lash this time.

How i formatted my drive was i made a partition but then (somehow) made a new partition on top of that. lol you gotta learn sometime

0
Options
#83 09-07-2006 5:28pm
Will

Closed Accounts Posts: 19,183 ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: July 2005

Posts: 18544

Wasnt able to edit my last post for some reason but anywho, got it sorted, running ubuntu! quite happy with it, makes a change from windows.

0
Options
#84 13-07-2006 5:51pm
telecinesk

Registered Users Posts: 617 ✭✭✭

Join Date: April 2002

Posts: 572

Hi, I hope this isnt the wrong place to put this post> Anyway here goes>

I tried mandriva and found its v userfriendly especially installing via rpm packages. However its rather sluggish even on my P4 and the soundcard isnt always functioning. V odd. Acer laptop btw.
Then tried it on an IBM laptop and it worked 100% except for wlan card as usual.

Knoppix I tried, but runs too slow on IBM, its a P3 laptop.
Finally tried "Damn small linux", the 50mB distro, runs well on all but Im crucified with Debian commands and lack of experience is frustrating me to get things installed. In fact if anyone has experience with this OS pm me, I have some really basic questions for this. Any help v appreciated.

But its a lot more fun learning something new!

0
Options
#85 13-07-2006 6:59pm
Steveire

Registered Users Posts: 1,418 ✭✭✭

Join Date: June 2004

Posts: 1236

I'd recommend ubuntu if you haven't already tried it. The latest release version was at the beginning of last month, so it's quite recent. I've not had any trouble with it or looked back since trying it...

0
Options
#86 06-10-2006 6:44pm
H3LLg0d

Closed Accounts Posts: 104 ✭✭

Join Date: October 2006

Posts: 100

Well for new people I d recommend Mandriva or Ubuntu

And either run the live cd or install your distro in vmware as opposed to dual booting

It cuts out the need for partioning and prevents potential data loss if you decide to bin .
You can install Your Distro inside windows and it will open it like any other normal program;)

0
Options
#87 06-10-2006 9:36pm
Capt'n Midnight

Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 90,695 Mod ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: March 2003

Posts: 88935

telecinesk wrote:

Finally tried "Damn small linux", the 50mB distro, runs well on all but Im crucified with Debian commands and lack of experience is frustrating me to get things installed.

have a look at http://www.puppylinux.org/ if you want a GUI

0
Options
#88 14-10-2006 2:31pm
bman

Registered Users Posts: 590 ✭✭✭

Join Date: April 2006

Posts: 521

I was just wondering what people think of Fedora Core 5? Would Ubuntu be a better choice as a lot of people seem to be saying that earlier in the thread. I installed it last night and it seems ok so far although i still have to get my wifi card working .

Edit: Just got wireless working , thanks to NetworkManager.

0
Options
#89 27-10-2006 4:37am
[Deleted User]
Posts: 0 ✭

Join Date: -

Posts: 0

Don't install mandriva 2007 if you have SiS on-board video, there is a bug that results in a blank screen

A work-around is to try other video drivers untill you find one that works...:eek:

or find the SiS driver off a previous version...

0
Options
#90 27-10-2006 6:38am
MarkR

Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 11,053 Mod ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: April 2002

Posts: 10308

Ubuntu seems to have better hardware recognition, hence you getting your wireless card sorted. Ubuntu ftw

0
Advertisement
Options
#91 05-12-2006 7:44pm
Jim_No.6

Closed Accounts Posts: 191 ✭✭

Join Date: October 2004

Posts: 177

I'd heartily recommend Gentoo as an excellent way to learn 'what's going on'. This seems to be the main problem that faces new Linux users who have a streamlined install (like Ubuntu). The Gentoo install is tough, but once you're finished, you'll have a good grasp of what's going on on your system. (See the Gentoo thread for more detail).

I started on Gentoo 2 years ago, and am now running it on my 3 boxes and laptop. No major problems all along that I wasn't able to solve quickly enough using the forums/chatroom/(gasp)some new skillz. Current uptime on my server box? ~3months. (and only because I upgraded the kernel over the summer) Say what you want about "bleeding edge" and stability - it's been fine for me!

0