n00bs read, distro reccomendations

Cew27

Cew27

Cew27

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8 Apr 2008
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i noticed a lot of threads from new users asking what distro to try so ill make this short comparison lists
Ubuntu - most used, best community, easy to use/install + setup
opensuse - user friendly, windows like start menu, good gui tools for configuring
fedora - bleeding edge *repos*, rpm based (red hat)
mint - ubuntu with propietary codecs and apps pre-installed (good for new users who dont want to have to install additional components)
pclos - kde distro, good easy to use interface

that i think sums up all the distros new users should be looking at

*repos* = online servers containing all the most used/popular binary applications, no need to download binaries from a browsers.
 
Nice summary, but maybe you should change 'best community' to 'largest community'? As 'best' is extremely subjective. :)
 
I just installed Ubuntu on a lappy, nice and simple easy to setup disk encryption.

Don't reallty see how those you have listed are best for new users, they require the least research and learning, which is the exact opposite of what i'd consider a new user needs to do.

Not to mention Fedora is a test bed for RHEL and so it's life cycles per version are very short, perhaps not what the user is after
Infact all they are are distros with simple installers that drag users through the process, offering little understanding along the way, then stick them infront of a pre-configured GUI...
 
they are best for new users as they have all the gui tools they need unlike other distros such as debian and slacwkare and especially arch that need you to configure by editing multiple config files.
 
Cew27 said:
they are best for new users as they have all the gui tools they need unlike other distros such as debian and slacwkare and especially arch that need you to configure by editing multiple config files.
Click to expand...

You mean that they are best for most new users. I know some users who started on Gentoo (back when there was no GUI and GTK+ installer). It really depends upon what you want to get out of it and how much time and effort you want to put in.

I personally shifted distro about every two months until I settled on one that suited me.

I think to say that all new users should use one of the above distros is a bit of a broad statement and should be taken with a pinch of salt, as these distros will suit most new users, but not all.
 
.walls that statement is true but i am sure we are all aware of the fact that not all users will use the simple distros. similar to a new driver learning in a ferrari, while the vast majority wont some people will. it doesnt really matter weather i say its the best for new users or weather i say most new users will prefer.....
 
PCLinuxOS is one of these distros with one guy that states the way forward, his way or the highway.

Ubuntu the proprietary codecs are what 4-5 'clicks' away, or 4 lines of commands/text to get, so comparing mint as a different distro....

If you're mentioning large communities, for giggles, Debian?

also, you didn't mention BeleniX, one of the simplest to use, feature packed and fast upcoming distros ;)

It's a pity if you're telling people what distros to try, you may as well tell them everything and end up haveing countless 'how do I... in ubuntu' threads smeared over the forums...

oh, wait! :D
 
the point of telling them to use the above distros is so that we only get 100 how do i ... in ubuntu threads rather than 1000 how do i...... in slackware threads
and mint not only has codecs but java and flash installed (5 mins away for a smart ubuntu user) but also mint has a one clock install system
 
Cew27 said:
the point of telling them to use the above distros is so that we only get 100 how do i ... in ubuntu threads rather than 1000 how do i...... in slackware threads
and mint not only has codecs but java and flash installed (5 mins away for a smart ubuntu user) but also mint has a one clock install system
Click to expand...

So it's down to which distros you feel comfortable offering point and click advice on then?
 
that distro chooser isnt much help, it didnt help me.
and whats with the witty remarks, im trying to offer help here and all i get back is insults.
 
Cew27 said:
that distro chooser isnt much help, it didnt help me.
and whats with the witty remarks, im trying to offer help here and all i get back is insults.
Click to expand...

Yes, however, I suspect that it will help a lot of new users... just not all.

I just ran through it and it selected the right distros for me!

GarethDW - that's pretty good, should maybe be stickied?
 
Cew27 said:
that distro chooser isnt much help, it didnt help me.
and whats with the witty remarks, im trying to offer help here and all i get back is insults.
Click to expand...
Sorry it didn't help in your case... I do think the questions it asks - and the decisions it takes based upon your responses - are logical in determining a distro to recommend.

Don't feel bad about people making witty remarks... nobody's having a go at you, mate. Just offering constructive criticism. Group hug, anyone? :D;):)
 
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