Choosing a linux distro (For a Computer Science Student)

Fad

Right, I'm in first year computer science (Technically Comp Sci and Chem) and I want to give Linux a go.

I've had Ubuntu on this laptop before and it was grand, but I'm not looking for the most user friendly version, I want something I can get my hands dirty with. I want to learn how to use command prompt properly etc.

I've heard good things about Fedora, my only provision is I want a fairly simple install, I have some partitions on here and I messed up with the Ubuntu disc and the was annoying to say the least!

aidan_walsh

If you want durty, you probably want Gentoo.

Nichololas

You can get plenty dirty with ubuntu, and to be honest if you're still learning to use the CLI I'd stick with it..

Then again if you have a lot of time and patience go for Gentoo, although considering you have to compile the kernel yourself (still, I think - ?) to install that probably rules it out considering you want a fairly simple install.

Pygmalion

Nichololas wrote: »

You can get plenty dirty with ubuntu, and to be honest if you're still learning to use the CLI I'd stick with it..

I use the CLI the same amount regardless of distro (after the initial setup, which may take more, but is generally just following instructions and not that educational), you get the same basic commands in Ubuntu as you do in Gentoo (which I don't recommend unless you already know a lot).
A distro that forces you to use the CLI more is just annoying moreso than helpful, best to just have a terminal open and try use it as much as you can, knowing that you can fall back to a file manager if needed.

As for distro, I like Arch, the install is minimal (just a command line), but the Arch wiki gives a full beginners guide to install, including instructions on setting up sound/graphics and a desktop environment once it's done, which can be a bit educational in that you learn "X handles the graphics, alsa handles the sound, etc." but not so sure that knowing this would be that useful or worth it.
If you do go with it I'd recommend having another computer nearby for the wiki, as text-only browsers aren't so pretty.

Sheeps

I've been recommended Arch before. That being said, I have Ubuntu installed on my desktop. May end up switching however to try Arch when ever I get time.

loldog

Slackware.

There's an old saying: "if you use Ubuntu, you'll learn Ubuntu. If you use Slackware, you'll learn Linux".

.

Stuxnet

aidan_walsh wrote: »

If you want durty, you probably want Gentoo.

+1 and Sabayon is an excellent consumer friendly gentoo based distro, probably has the best kde integration of any distro imo, easy installer, but defo has the get hands durty part if you want also !
http://sabayonlinux.org/
but as lads have said you can get plenty durty with ubuntu and it has an excellent safety net, so really great place to start !

Fad

Thanks guys, thought I'd be met with "GTFO and google it"......:D

I might stick with Ubuntu whenever I get a chance to get it up and running and earn as much as I can with that and move on to some thing a little less use friendly.