Help me choose which distro to use please

Jumblejug · 22 Feb 2011 at 20:43

Hi folks

I wondered if anyone could help me out.

I've aquired a machine which is going to be used for storage, back up, streaming media and maybe some other stuff.

I'd like to install a version of Linux, but I'm not sure which one would be the best compromise between it's difficulty to set up and it's suitability for the job.

I was thinking Ubuntu, would the desktop version be okay or would I need a server version?

I've used Linux before but not set it up, so I'm a bit of a Linux nub.

Cheers

PermaBanned · 22 Feb 2011 at 20:45

What specs?

Jumblejug · 22 Feb 2011 at 20:56

Might have been useful to include that...

Athlon II Neo N36L 1.3GHz Dual-Core CPU
L2 Cache: 2MB L2
1GB DDR3 ECC UDIMM (looking to upgrade if necessary)
Embedded RAID 0/1
Gigabit Ethernet

craptakular · 22 Feb 2011 at 21:05

debian

psd99 · 22 Feb 2011 at 22:20

tbh I would get latest version of ubuntu purely for ease of use and it would serve what you need it for - you'll have to get some sort of samba share setup for streaming imo.

no need for server edition imo - unless you want as default a black screen with command line lol

m4rkw7 · 22 Feb 2011 at 22:50

FreeNAS? For a file server. Failing that you can try Ubuntu server or just plain ubuntu.

Jumblejug · 23 Feb 2011 at 13:09

Cheers. I'm going to try Ubuntu

EvilFranky · 26 Feb 2011 at 14:43

Arch - You will learn more having to install it this distro me thinks. That's what I have done.

3dcandy · 26 Feb 2011 at 21:00

+1 Ubuntu - will probably work outta the box with no faffing...

pingwing · 27 Feb 2011 at 03:43

Oxy said:
debian

Definitely the best option.

Stable, easy enough to set up/learn and can be described as an industry standard (if linux was an industry and had a real 'standard' distro)

Jumblejug · 27 Feb 2011 at 14:20

I've been having a play around with Ubuntu on a memory stick, will check out Debian too

FatRakoon · 3 Mar 2011 at 01:59

I feel that Debian is a touch off for a noob. Some things like Drivers are not as well supported.

Ubuntu is definitely a better option I recon for a noob.

However... In saying that Debian 6 is absolutely delicious.

MiNT I feel is a little bit half way between ubuntu and Debian, but its not as reliable as the others.

If you want a visually impressive distro thats easy to work with yet powerful, then have a shot as Sabayon. I have been twiddling about with various flavours of Linux, but I have never been without my Sabayon box. I only just went from 3.5 to 5.5 a few days ago.

craptakular · 3 Mar 2011 at 07:03

When ubuntu breaks it is not noob friendly as it teaches non-standard practices.

FatRakoon · 4 Mar 2011 at 20:55

To be fair, its not the only one thats guilty of that!

JimAroo · 4 Mar 2011 at 23:29

Debian.

Essexraptor · 5 Mar 2011 at 03:18

As a noob myself I can safely say that this is the most recurring question in this section of the forum and the hardest to answer.

By it's vary nature Linux is the hardest to break into purely because of the vast "choice" you have.

You'll just have to try a few for yourself really. I'm running Ubuntu 10.4 LTS on my lappy full time at the moment. It just works for me and is well supported, stable and with regular updates on a very regular basis. So that would be my recommendation as a starting point. It's not the best for "learning" Linux but gives you a bit of confidence before branching out and experimenting with other "flavours"

Debian is the next on my list and the newest release is looking good

Essexraptor · 5 Mar 2011 at 03:21

FatRakoon said:
To be fair, its not the only one thats guilty of that!

Agree with this.

Put a flavour of Mint on for a mate (neanderthal, thick fingered, keyboard basher type) and he managed to break it in 2 days!! reloaded him with Ubuntu and he is still going strong 7 months later