which linux distro? - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

Scapegoat · 05-08-2008, 03:03 PM

I've decided that when I build my computer I'm going to go with a linux OS. Just not sure which one.

I've fooled around with Red Hat and Ubuntu (and the other *buntus)

The most important thing I need with the linux OS is the ability to run servers and still use the computer as a desktop. I'll be running apache w/ php and tomcat, the other obvious item will be MySQL...

I also intend on doing the usual computer stuff, watching videos, listening to music, burning dvd's, browsing the web, etc.

I need a fairly user friendly OS as I don't want to deal too much with setting it up. I'm alright with following how-to's and **** like that, but I'm not a "power linux user".

I just want to cut down on costs, free OS, free software.

thewake · 05-08-2008, 05:20 PM

Here you go, do some reading and pick one:

http://www.informationweek.com/share...leID=207200145

Scapegoat · 05-08-2008, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewake

Here you go, do some reading and pick one:

http://www.informationweek.com/share...leID=207200145

Quote:

All are meant to be top-of-the-line, "throw-and-go" distros for general use

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scapegoat

run servers and still use the computer as a desktop

appreciate the link though...

lagos · 05-09-2008, 04:25 PM

I run ubuntu 8.04 and I love it. Easy to setup and runs great.

thewake · 05-09-2008, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scapegoat

appreciate the link though...

The only difference you will see is the desktop parts, start there. The rest (apache, mySQL, whatever other server) will run just about identically. If any of them would run the server stuff better, it would most likely be Fedora. the difference should be minimal though.

Of course I sometimes run Apache & mySql on my XP box at home for development and staging of my personal web site.

rotarychainsaw · 05-09-2008, 07:01 PM

Ubuntu all the way.

If you Dl the server install disk you get a nice LAMP stack right out of the box, then you can just install a gui with apt-get. I think apt-get install ubuntu-desktop will give you the whole shebang.

Not sure if the server version gives you any special hardened kernels or anything, but if you set up iptables right, you'll be pretty secure.

lagos · 05-09-2008, 07:36 PM

only install the server version if you know what your doing.

rotarychainsaw · 05-09-2008, 08:27 PM

Don't be afraid of the command line. Tab complete makes it easy as pie.

james_ls · 05-09-2008, 08:42 PM

I've always been a SuSE and Slackware junky...

Not really sure why though...

lagos · 05-09-2008, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotarychainsaw

Don't be afraid of the command line. Tab complete makes it easy as pie.

Nothing scary about the command line, but you can't expect a newbie to figure out what sudo apt-get is on his own.

c0nfl1kt · 05-11-2009, 10:54 AM

Old topic, but I run Sabayon with KDE 4.2. I suggest running something through Sun's VirtualBox before you clean install a distro. Either VirtualBox or VMware.

Vr-4-Life · 05-11-2009, 05:00 PM

I have been a diehard slackware user for about 8 years... about a year ago I got a job as a linux admin supporting ubuntu.

As a new user I would recommend ubuntu 100%

Elliott18t · 06-16-2010, 11:01 AM

i know this is old, but is there anything new out there with linux (free) like a newer ubuntu or something?

or should I just get that. I've been thinking of switching back as I dont use my computer for gaming too often(a lot of old hardware

), but i would like to...(torchlight on steam)

motorvated · 06-18-2010, 10:29 AM

Ubunto FTW. Thats what I was going to run on my netbook.

Xavier · 06-18-2010, 10:32 AM

Ubuntu is a good distro. It is popular so there is a lot of info and support for it.

Elliott18t · 06-18-2010, 11:21 AM

i did like ubuntu when i had it. I played around with SuSe for a bit too, but i dont think i kept it long... I forget why.

gary · 06-18-2010, 11:24 AM

CentOS has a very good community and package repository. That would be my choice.

c0nfl1kt · 06-21-2010, 05:44 PM

Debian debian debian debian!

stupidsilvercivc · 06-24-2010, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0nfl1kt

Debian debian debian debian!

x2 ftw!

05-08-2008, 03:03 PM	#1
Scapegoat TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: stop looking at my gold Member #1208 iTrader: (1)	which linux distro? I've decided that when I build my computer I'm going to go with a linux OS. Just not sure which one. I've fooled around with Red Hat and Ubuntu (and the other buntus) The most important thing I need with the linux OS is the ability to run servers and still use the computer as a desktop. I'll be running apache w/ php and tomcat, the other obvious item will be MySQL... I also intend on doing the usual computer stuff, watching videos, listening to music, burning dvd's, browsing the web, etc. I need a fairly user friendly OS as I don't want to deal too much with setting it up. I'm alright with following how-to's and *** like that, but I'm not a "power linux user". I just want to cut down on costs, free OS, free software.

05-08-2008, 05:20 PM	#2
thewake Tri-State Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Jersey Member #385 iTrader: (0)	Here you go, do some reading and pick one: http://www.informationweek.com/share...leID=207200145 __________________ -- Wake

05-09-2008, 04:25 PM	#4
lagos Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Member #989 My Ride: Toyota Celica GT-Two iTrader: (0)	I run ubuntu 8.04 and I love it. Easy to setup and runs great. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. The accelerator on my toyota has always been stuck to the floor.. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

05-09-2008, 07:36 PM	#7
lagos Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Philadelphia, PA Member #989 My Ride: Toyota Celica GT-Two iTrader: (0)	only install the server version if you know what your doing. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. The accelerator on my toyota has always been stuck to the floor.. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

05-09-2008, 08:42 PM	#9
james_ls TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Warrington Member #1614 My Ride: 1998 Acura Integra LS//VTEC iTrader: (0)	I've always been a SuSE and Slackware junky... Not really sure why though... __________________ *Heller Dope* - When the ** is doper than Hellen Keller; it's Heller Dope To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. BUY MY STUFF!** To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

05-09-2008, 07:01 PM	#6
rotarychainsaw Tri-State Aficionado Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Philly/Bradley Beach Member #5338 My Ride: 2002 m5 iTrader: (0)	Ubuntu all the way. If you Dl the server install disk you get a nice LAMP stack right out of the box, then you can just install a gui with apt-get. I think apt-get install ubuntu-desktop will give you the whole shebang. Not sure if the server version gives you any special hardened kernels or anything, but if you set up iptables right, you'll be pretty secure.

05-09-2008, 08:27 PM	#8
rotarychainsaw Tri-State Aficionado Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Philly/Bradley Beach Member #5338 My Ride: 2002 m5 iTrader: (0)	Don't be afraid of the command line. Tab complete makes it easy as pie.

05-11-2009, 10:54 AM	#11
c0nfl1kt Tri-State Dictator Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD Member #10332 My Ride: Family car. iTrader: (1)	Old topic, but I run Sabayon with KDE 4.2. I suggest running something through Sun's VirtualBox before you clean install a distro. Either VirtualBox or VMware.

05-11-2009, 05:00 PM	#12
Vr-4-Life Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philly PA Member #1961 My Ride: BMW E60 M5 V10 6 Speed --- Ducati Monster 696 iTrader: (4)	I have been a diehard slackware user for about 8 years... about a year ago I got a job as a linux admin supporting ubuntu. As a new user I would recommend ubuntu 100%

06-16-2010, 11:01 AM	#13
Elliott18t Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Blue bell/Ambler ,PA Member #9456 My Ride: 03 GTI w/ F4h-T 250-260hp goal iTrader: (0)	i know this is old, but is there anything new out there with linux (free) like a newer ubuntu or something? or should I just get that. I've been thinking of switching back as I dont use my computer for gaming too often(a lot of old hardware ), but i would like to...(torchlight on steam) __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. TST's Dub Cult

06-18-2010, 10:29 AM	#14
motorvated Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Olde City PA Member #9779 My Ride: 2010 VW Jetta 2.5, 5 speed/ 73 VW Beetle drop top. iTrader: (0)	Ubunto FTW. Thats what I was going to run on my netbook. __________________ TST....where everybody swings on nuts.

06-18-2010, 11:21 AM	#16
Elliott18t Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Blue bell/Ambler ,PA Member #9456 My Ride: 03 GTI w/ F4h-T 250-260hp goal iTrader: (0)	i did like ubuntu when i had it. I played around with SuSe for a bit too, but i dont think i kept it long... I forget why. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. TST's Dub Cult

06-18-2010, 11:24 AM	#17
gary Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northampton, PA Member #1638 My Ride: 2004 Hyundai Tiburon iTrader: (1)	CentOS has a very good community and package repository. That would be my choice. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

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