Looking for a Linux distro to mess with

Stoner81

Stoner81

Stoner81

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Hey guys I have recently gotten my hands on another PC which is bit on the old side but still semi decent (AMD 3800+, 2GB DDR2 800MHz RAM) so I am toying with the idea on installing Linux on it just have a mess with it and see what all the fuss is about. Now as you can probably imagine I am a total n00b when it comes to Linux I have never used it or anything so do you guys have any suggestions of any particular version you would recommend which is n00b friendly?

Thanks!

Stoner81.
 
PermaBanned said:
Some would suggest Ubuntu, but there's definitely mixed feelings about Unity. So my suggestion:

http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2031

Between Mate and Cinnamon it's up to you really. I doubt there's much that rig would struggle with, other than the usual 'heavy gaming/editing' stuff.
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It won't be used for gaming or anything this is literally just for messing about with and learning a bit more about Linux and that is pretty much it. What on earth is "Unity"?

kalvindeane said:
Bodhi looks like it might be worth playing about with.
Click to expand...

Never heard of that is it any good?

Stoner81.
 
Stoner81 said:
It won't be used for gaming or anything this is literally just for messing about with and learning a bit more about Linux and that is pretty much it. What on earth is "Unity"?
Click to expand...

Then that rig will be absolutely fine. Depending on the graphics card it's pretty close to what i use everyday :p

Once upon a time, not too long ago, there existed a desktop environment called Gnome 2. Everyone looked upon Gnome 2 and saw that it was good. This was a time when most everyone was happy, and the children did rejoice at the ease of use and productivity values of Gnome 2. But those days came to an end. The evil development team did decree that Gnome 2 would be no more, and that it's replacement would herald the coming of a new age in desktop computing, and shall leave no man wanting. Only it didn't happen like that. Gnome 3 was unstable for many, harder on resources and brought with it a number of silly design ideas revolving around the principle that removing features was what the users wanted, that they wanted to jump through more hoops to do the same thing. But the Linux community was not stupid. They saw through this disguise, they saw the evil Gnome 3 as it was - a tool to hamper the human race. Some distributions saw no hope and gave in. But some decided to fight it. Some, like Mint, decided to stay put and stay firmly in the haven that was Gnome 2. Others attempted to master Gnome 3 and to meld it to their image. But Gnome 3 was a beast that they could not control. Ubuntu decided to try to use it, and Unity is what they came up with. Unity took over Ubuntu, changing it from a brilliant starting point for beginners to an abomination even worse than Gnome 3 itself.

Please don't take that seriously :p
 
Im in the same boat as you. im building a new pc and installing Win. 8 Release Preview untill the actuall release comes out (yes i actually like the Metro Style). It will be mostly for my games but i want to install Linux along side it for general use (surfing the web, music, etc.) but i have never had any experience with it before, and there is so much to choose from. I think i might just go with Ubuntu justb because it looks like the easiest one to use, but what is 'Unity'? whats wrong with it?
 
I've used several distros and find I always end up using them as a simple windows point and click replacement OS.

I've just installed backtrack and although it's based on Ubuntu isn't really polished and find I've spent more time learning, using console and googling than I ever have.

If you want to learn how it works I'd suggest one that isn't as polished :)
 
AHarvey said:
If you want to learn how it works I'd suggest one that isn't as polished :)
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say 'isn't as polished' but if you really want to learn give ArchLinux a whirl, just make sure you've got we access to the wiki whilst you're setting it up for the first time!
 
PermaBanned said:
Then that rig will be absolutely fine. Depending on the graphics card it's pretty close to what i use everyday :p

Once upon a time, not too long ago, there existed a desktop environment called Gnome 2. Everyone looked upon Gnome 2 and saw that it was good. This was a time when most everyone was happy, and the children did rejoice at the ease of use and productivity values of Gnome 2. But those days came to an end. The evil development team did decree that Gnome 2 would be no more, and that it's replacement would herald the coming of a new age in desktop computing, and shall leave no man wanting. Only it didn't happen like that. Gnome 3 was unstable for many, harder on resources and brought with it a number of silly design ideas revolving around the principle that removing features was what the users wanted, that they wanted to jump through more hoops to do the same thing. But the Linux community was not stupid. They saw through this disguise, they saw the evil Gnome 3 as it was - a tool to hamper the human race. Some distributions saw no hope and gave in. But some decided to fight it. Some, like Mint, decided to stay put and stay firmly in the haven that was Gnome 2. Others attempted to master Gnome 3 and to meld it to their image. But Gnome 3 was a beast that they could not control. Ubuntu decided to try to use it, and Unity is what they came up with. Unity took over Ubuntu, changing it from a brilliant starting point for beginners to an abomination even worse than Gnome 3 itself.

Please don't take that seriously :p
Click to expand...

I like that. Unity is a bit "Marmite". I definitely preferred Gnome 2 but have gotten used to DisUnity. You should also mention in your little Genesis 1:1 that Gnome 3 is only being used until Wayland is release ready.


[edit]

As a Windows user he might like to take a peek at Kubuntu or Mandriva
 
Last edited:
PermaBanned said:
Then that rig will be absolutely fine. Depending on the graphics card it's pretty close to what i use everyday :p

Once upon a time, not too long ago, there existed a desktop environment called Gnome 2. Everyone looked upon Gnome 2 and saw that it was good. This was a time when most everyone was happy, and the children did rejoice at the ease of use and productivity values of Gnome 2. But those days came to an end. The evil development team did decree that Gnome 2 would be no more, and that it's replacement would herald the coming of a new age in desktop computing, and shall leave no man wanting. Only it didn't happen like that. Gnome 3 was unstable for many, harder on resources and brought with it a number of silly design ideas revolving around the principle that removing features was what the users wanted, that they wanted to jump through more hoops to do the same thing. But the Linux community was not stupid. They saw through this disguise, they saw the evil Gnome 3 as it was - a tool to hamper the human race. Some distributions saw no hope and gave in. But some decided to fight it. Some, like Mint, decided to stay put and stay firmly in the haven that was Gnome 2. Others attempted to master Gnome 3 and to meld it to their image. But Gnome 3 was a beast that they could not control. Ubuntu decided to try to use it, and Unity is what they came up with. Unity took over Ubuntu, changing it from a brilliant starting point for beginners to an abomination even worse than Gnome 3 itself.

Please don't take that seriously :p
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, put a smile on my face :)

Kenneth.
 
Personally I'd avoid Arch Linux for the time being, it's good if you want to get more in depth.. but for someone who hasn't used Linux before, I'd stay well clear unless you have a bucket load of patience.

I'd go for something a little more common and user friendly.. like Ubuntu or Mint, but if you do go for Ubuntu I'd pick up Xubuntu / Lubuntu purely to avoid Unity.
 
PermaBanned said:
Then that rig will be absolutely fine. Depending on the graphics card it's pretty close to what i use everyday :p
Click to expand...

I have a spare 9800GTX+ which I can throw in it so video power should not be an issue though I will probably have to change the PSU but I have a spare also so with any luck no issues there :)

PermaBanned said:
Once upon a time, not too long ago, there existed a desktop environment called Gnome 2. Everyone looked upon Gnome 2 and saw that it was good. This was a time when most everyone was happy, and the children did rejoice at the ease of use and productivity values of Gnome 2. But those days came to an end. The evil development team did decree that Gnome 2 would be no more, and that it's replacement would herald the coming of a new age in desktop computing, and shall leave no man wanting. Only it didn't happen like that. Gnome 3 was unstable for many, harder on resources and brought with it a number of silly design ideas revolving around the principle that removing features was what the users wanted, that they wanted to jump through more hoops to do the same thing. But the Linux community was not stupid. They saw through this disguise, they saw the evil Gnome 3 as it was - a tool to hamper the human race. Some distributions saw no hope and gave in. But some decided to fight it. Some, like Mint, decided to stay put and stay firmly in the haven that was Gnome 2. Others attempted to master Gnome 3 and to meld it to their image. But Gnome 3 was a beast that they could not control. Ubuntu decided to try to use it, and Unity is what they came up with. Unity took over Ubuntu, changing it from a brilliant starting point for beginners to an abomination even worse than Gnome 3 itself.

Please don't take that seriously :p
Click to expand...

LMMFAO! That is just epic!

Outcast said:
I like that. Unity is a bit "Marmite". I definitely preferred Gnome 2 but have gotten used to DisUnity. You should also mention in your little Genesis 1:1 that Gnome 3 is only being used until Wayland is release ready.


[edit]

As a Windows user he might like to take a peek at Kubuntu or Mandriva
Click to expand...

Never heard of Mandriva is it like Ubuntu or something totally different?

As it is I have decided to install W8 RP on it for now and play with that first then I think I will install Mint like PermaBanned suggested ;) thanks for all your input guys it is always appreciated! :)

Stoner81.
 
ive just spent the last 3 days installing about 6 different versions....i found lubuntu to be the best ..ive learnt a lot by doing this but although i like the way it is and looks i am still a novice on the samba share and setting up ftp server linked to specific folders...i give up lol back to my windows server for now until i get more time to play...
 
Has anyone managed to get samba share working with windows yet on linux....i can see folders but not open them says i dont have autho
 
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