I've learned several things about Linux already, and I'm pretty sure it will fit my needs more than Windows or Mac. I'm not sure which Linux distribution is better for me though.
I am going to buy a new laptop, and I will either buy it stocked with Linux distribution, or buy one that isn't partitioned-for-windows. I don't really want to bother with trying out the distribution on CD, I just want to start.
I am taking C++ programming and am going to take Java very soon, I'm going to do lots of programming on the PC. However, unlike most of my classmates, I don't have a comprehensive understanding of the computer. I'd say the most advanced thing I've done is alter the pixels on a file from one of my games. So, I'm not a new user, I'm not a pro.
I'm very willing to pay money for the distribution one-time. I want lots of apps and support, for low-graphix-games, reports for school, internet, IM, and programming. I want reliable security support, and apps to get. Thank you for help.
2007-11-01 13:35:18 · 9 answers · asked by the blue hat 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
I personally use Slackware on my machines.
I have the Ubuntu Studio version on a machine for running Ardour for my 'recording studio'. I did have Ardour on my main desktop, but after I had to reload the sys partition because of a drive failure I decided not to put it back on since it's a chore to install all the dependencies and get setup from source. This is one issue with Slackware - not as many slack pkg installs of software so you have to compile and install certain things from source that aren't included in the release. But it's a rock solid distro, the oldest one still around I believe, one of the most unix-like, and it's one of the first I used. I never particularly liked RedHat, and I've had experience with a handful of other distros.
Eventually when I get around to it I will probably be putting Ubuntu on my glorified print server which currently has win98 on it. This is also the kids machine which they haven't been able to use for a while as it's been kinda buried in a corner and I need to replace the CD drive in it. But I should be able to run most if not all of their windows games in Ubuntu with WINE.
I would probably suggest Ubuntu overall, installing software is a pretty simple - look through the list, select the programs and say go - it downloads and installs them. Most of the popular development tools and IDE's are easily available. I believe Eclipse is on the list of apps, though you may have to select 'universe' as the filter. I've been meaning to try out Eclipse. I use Kdevelop for programming projects.
It also will keep security patches and new software up to date and when a new version of Ubuntu is released you can update it on the fly. And for wow factor you can install Beryl and have niftier desktop graphics effects than Vista.
But you can always check DistroWatch to see if there's a better suited distro for you.
There is a pretty decent wiki on the Ubuntu site for checking on hardware compatibility by laptop model, etc. I don't have a direct link handy but it's not that hard to find.
2007-11-01 17:19:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ubuntu( http://www.ubuntu.com ) is very popular right now and is probably the best choice. Fedora ( http://fedoraproject.org/ ) is also a great choice. If you don't buy the laptop with linux preinstalled, you will want to try out the cd, because linux hardware support is not the best, and you'll want to make sure the distro will work on your computer before actually installing it. These 2 distros come with several apps, and for programming I'd download eclipse ( http://www.eclipse.org/ ).
2007-11-01 13:49:16 · answer #2 · answered by eaglesfan1000 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Live CDs are what I swear on using, they are now mature enough to use productively, /home custom-apps /usr and all important /etc can be stored or not and depending on programming be automatically custom-loaded from hard drive so everything you stated to want to use is there.
If installed Linux is still what you want, I recommand Ubuntu; exactly for the reason that it was initially criticized for: lack of choice in one disc, after all Windows don't install two Notepad-style text editor.
2007-11-01 13:49:26 · answer #3 · answered by Andy T 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The KUBUNTU 7.10 is very WindBlows like in form and is easy to install with a LIVE disk, CD or DVD...
I am dual booting it on the Latitude CPx I am typing this on.
You have over 22 THOUSAND programs to choose from once you do the install...most are FOSS based.
And you can buy and install others....I don't....
2007-11-01 13:48:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Use Ubuntu. Right now I'm in college learning C++ and I'm currently dual booting XP and Ubuntu 7.10. Our computers in school uses Mandriva but Ubuntu has less issues dealing with drivers, and is much more visually pleasing.
2007-11-01 13:44:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I prefer SUSE and Kubuntu myself. But if you're buying a laptop stocked with Linux, I guess you'll have Ubuntu, which is fine too.
2007-11-01 13:44:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Suse, and Ubuntu are great for beginners that want to start with Linux. I personally like Ubuntu more due to some driver difficulties i experienced with Suse.
2007-11-01 13:39:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
use Ubuntu Linux or Kubuntu Linux.
These distributions have great graphical user interface and are very easy to learn!!!
2007-11-01 13:41:29 · answer #8 · answered by karan.gizmo 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yahoo answers really sucks. The answers are always 7 years old and usually obsolete.
2015-02-07 11:58:27 · answer #9 · answered by FlyBot791 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋