Which Distro?
Which Distro? Linux Learning ZoneAPNIC Solutions Ltd. adam@apnicsolutions.com Author & Editor: DomAsh Designs Table of Contents 1 Introduction 2.0 Damn Small 2.1 Setup 2.2 Pros & Cons 2.3 Features 2.4 Overview 3.0 Debian 3.1 Setup 3.2 Pros & Cons 3.3 Features 3.4 Overview 4.0 Gentoo 4.1 Setup 4.2 Pros & Cons 4.3 Features 4.4 Overview 5.0 KNOPPIX 5.1 Setup 5.2 Pros & Cons 5.3 Features 5.4 Overview 6.0 Mandrake/Mandriva 6.1 Setup 6.2 Pros & Cons 6.3 Features 6.4 Overview 7.0 Mepis Linux 7.1 Setup 7.2 Pros & Cons 7.3 Features 7.4 Overview 8.0 PCLinux 8.1 Setup 8.2 Pros & Cons 8.3 Features 8.4 Overview 9.0 RedHat 9 9.1 Setup 9.2 Pros & Cons 9.3 Features 9.4 Overview 2 Slackware 10.1Setup 10.2Pros & Cons 10.3Features 10.4Overview 3 SUSE 11.1Setup 11.2Pros & Cons 11.3Features 11.4Overview 4 Ubuntu 12.1Setup 12.2Pros & Cons 12.3Features 12.4Overview 5 Conclusion
1.0 Introduction Linux isn’t just for computer security administrators and other IT professionals anymore. As the Internet becomes more of a necessity in our lives computer enthusiasts are learning more about computer environments and choosing something other then Windows when it comes to operating systems. Linux is a Unix-based operating system that is much more affordable then its counterpart. Essentially, the low cost associated with Linux has helped with the change in focus for small business and personal computer users from a Windows (default) operating system to the much more efficient Linux OS. The original Linux kernel, which is the central part of any operating system, was developed by a man at the University of Helsinki, Linus Torvalds. Linux was designed using components that were used for the GNU Project which was developed specifically for use by others to modify and re-work. Today, it has a reputation for being one of the fastest and most efficient operating systems available. Linux is extensively designed to cover all the areas an Operating System should. It contains TCP/IP, an Emacs editor, a graphical user interface, X Window System, and many other components that users can find in traditional Unix Operating Systems. The OS is compatible with many different microprocessors including Intel, PowerPC, Sparc, and Alpha. There are many different distributions of Linux available. All of these distributions are free to use based on the GNU Projects belief that all software should be readily available to anyone who wishes to use and distribute them. The distributions are plentiful because Linux has the ability to conform to the Portable Operating System Interface. Since so many users are moving from other operating systems to Linux the question remains: Which is the best Linux distribution? There are several different distros user can choose from. After you’ve finished reading this document you should have a better understanding of several of the top Linux distributions that are available. Information on installation, usage statistics, and the pros and cons of using each will be outlined as well as the differences between each Linux Operating System. In the end, choosing a Linux distribution is a matter of choice. Every distribution has their strengths and their weaknesses. The choice in distro depends heavily on what each user is seeking in an OS. Hopefully, this document can aid in the process by introducing users to distributions that are new to them and familiarizing them more with distributions they may already know. 2.0 Damn Small If you’re looking for a Linux distribution for a mini-desktop that is compact and versatile then Damn Small Linux (DSL) may be the right choice for you. DSL is only 50 MB and has the ability to boot from a Live CD, and a USB pen drive. DSL also is able to run within other Operating Systems including windows. The latest version is DSL 1.4. Take a look at the DSL desktop: DSL has the ability to power a 486DX system with 16MB of Ram. Additionally, the OS has the flexibility to transform into the Debian Operating System. The only thing it needs for this to occur is the installation of a traditional hard drive. 2.1 Setup DSL setup doesn’t have to be difficult. Your first step is to download DSL and install it. You should make sure that your system meets the requirements necessary to use DSL. You can download the OS, find out how to install it, and check compatibility at the DSL website: http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/. When you are setting up DSL you need to burn the distro to a bootable CD. Once that is done you will need to install the DSL OS to the system’s hard disk. Some may choose instead to do a Floppy only install. DSL allows for this with or without a Net card. Installation instructions are available for both at the DSL website. Once installation has occurred you’ll need to make sure that on the pen drive the correct geometry is set for DSL to work. After this is done you should make sure to imprint any bootable images that go to the USB Devices. Then you can boot DSL from a zip drive. 2.2 Pros and Cons The biggest pros to using Damn Small Linux are the constant updates, its quick and efficient, and the size. First, DSL is constantly updating. Before anyone has time to review DSL a new version has been released. With the new version come updates, new features, and new OS capabilities. DSL is incredibly compact and takes up very little space. Unfortunately, size does matter. Because of this some of the many programs and components that are available in other Linux distributions are missing from Damn Small Linux. Another downside to the program is that some Linux add-ons will not work with it. Otherwise, there are very few complaints when it comes to using DSL. The size allows for several other installations on the CD to work with the OS including GIMP, Open Office, and MPlayer. 2.3 Features There are several features that make DSL so desirable by Linux users. The theme of the distro is quite attractive blending soft soothing colors and earth toned images. There is a compact time and date tool so the hwclock command is no longer needed. CD burning tasks are easier thanks to cdw. The original distributions of DSL used bash burn but one improving feature of this was the cdw addition. Here is a list of some of the top features that make DSL worthwhile: Fluxbox is the default window manager Beaver for Text Editing Xpaint for image manipulation, Flwriter is the word processor Word & PDF viewers Sylpheed as the default email program IM on IRC, ICQ, and AOL Dillo as the web browser XMMS to listen to MP3’s Internet Applications including: Telnet, FTP, & VNCviewer Easy to use/Flexible Control Panel GUI flexibility so you don’t have to use cmd Wireless LAN card support Click & Run extension access including K3b, OpenOffice, and GIMP Able to use with Wofenstein 3D for gaming
2.4 Overview From everything that is written about DSL is actually one of the more favored Operating Systems by those who use it. Its compatibility, ease of use, flexible layout, efficiency, and fast nature make it incredibly popular in the Linux community. DSL is a great starter for those that are new to using Linux. It offers the ability to familiarize a user with shell commands while still having a graphical interface that can help users accomplish their goals. 3.0 Debian The latest version of Debian is 3.1 and is called Debian Sarge. Debian is one of the more popular Linux distributions and amongst the most well known and most used. Debian was created as a part of a worldwide project that offered developers from nations across the globe to contribute to the OS development through something called the Debian Project. Debian is free to use following the GNU standards Linux follows. It works well for users because Debian holds together the kernel, basic system tools, and the software applications in one neat little package. Here is a screenshot of a Debian Desktop: 3.1 Setup The whole purpose of Debian’s creation was to come up with an Operating system that is efficient, flexible, and offers all of the things (and more) that a commercially distributed OS offers without making people pay for it. The official Debian web site is located at: http://www.debian.org/ At this website you will be able to download the latest Debian OS package as well as access the Debian Installation Guide. The setup process for Debian isn’t difficult if you follow the setup exactly as you are supposed to. First, of course you’ll need to check to make sure your system meets the software requirements. Debian is fairly flexible so that shouldn’t be much of a problem. Then you’ll need to download the Debian file. Of course, you can also buy installation CD’s for a low price. Everything is already on a CD so you just have to fire it up and you are walked through the install. If you decide to install on your own make sure you have the make and model of your Ethernet card handy. You will need this information when asked about your hard driver. You’ll need to partition hard disks and if you are doing a network install you’ll need a working network card. Once the system is working it is best to get the Debian system files from the archive, since the latest upgraded files will be available. You will be walked through a basic configuration of the system files and when this is finished its time for software installation. You will want to login as root and then using line commands you will want to choose which software you would like to install. Once that is done you can decide if you want to use a GUI. Debian can be complicated to set up so if you are unfamiliar with UNIX commands you may be better of getting a computer with Debian already installed or pre-made CD. 3.2 Pros & Cons Debian is one of the few Linux distros that is maintained by its users. Therefore, not only do the creators want the best features they also put a lot more into the product. If there is something that is not right the developers know it because they use it and fix it immediately. Debian has some of the best support of all the distros because of this. There is even a Debian mail list that is set up for user support. In less then 15 minutes user’s usually have a response if not a solution to their problem. Additional advantages to using Debian are: It’s packaged compactly yet filled with many of the best programs At least 15490 types of software all of which are free A trusted choice in Linux Distro Improved Installation All programs are well integrated Various development tools Supports Multiple Languages Source Code by the millions (of lines) Easy to update Has a bug tracking system Stability Great security Security Software
Debian of course, like every other distro, is not flawless. There are some issues that the individuals who have created this software are working on. They are fully aware of any and all problems and do not hide the fact that Debian is not perfect. In fact, the Debian Project encourages that all bugs be reported so improvements can be made to prevent these things from happening. Here is a list of the downsides to using Debian: It is confusing to learn Dselect which is the front-end of Debian’s package. However, the new front end, APT is receiving much better reception then that which was available in previous releases. There is not enough popular commercial software that can be integrated. This is true. Despite this fact, there are free versions of nearly every type of commercial software that will work with Debian. Debian even has office suites such as OpenOffice, KOffice, and GNOME Office to take the place of programs like Word & Excel. Configuring hardware can be challenging
3.3 Features As mentioned previously there are over 15490 software packages that works, free of charge, with Debian. Debian follows the free software guidelines set by the GNU project. It is designed by its users to ensure the best features and updates are made. Debian is supported with at least 11 different types of computer architectures. Several other distros including Ubuntu and KNOPPIX are based off of Debian. The most popular feature of Debian is APT which is the Advanced Packaging Tool. The guidelines for software are stringent enough to where they use the best of the best. Debian is easy to upgrade. This includes both the packages and the actual distro itself. Users need not even reboot between upgrades. The flexibility of Debian allow for a wide variety of individuals to use the software. It supports nearly every model of computer including older models. Debian also supports nearly every type of computer hardware. 3.4 Overview There is so much to like about Debian it is hard to find something negative to say about it. The Debian Project is most definitely not about money (since it is free) but rather about the quality of the Linux Distro. It makes for a much better, comprehensive, well maintained system. Since the all of the distributions under GNU Linux are free its hard to find statistics on how many users are using Debian or any of the other distros. However, the estimate as of 2001 was at least 15 million users. The number, of course, has risen since then. Debian can be difficult to install and maintain so it is often recommended for advanced users that are looking for a stable, well written Linux distribution for their use. 4.0 Gentoo As you may have already guessed Gentoo is another Linux distribution. Gentoo is flexible since it allows the user to only customize their OS with the applications they want. It also has auto-optimization capabilities. The Gentoo developers pride themselves on being one of the best Linux OS communities as they are readily available to assist Gentoo users. Here is a screenshot of a Gentoo desktop: Gentoo uses a form of technology called Portage. Portage is Gentoo’s software distribution system as well as used for packaging and installation. Portage is used to create whatever package you want to make the OS perfect for your specific needs. With Portage Gentoo is capable of being a great system for: Gaming Professional development Work (a workstation) Security (as a secure server
These are just a few of the things Gentoo is capable of being used for. You can install read about, get the latest download, and view the installation files at the following URL: http://www.gentoo.org/. 4.1 Setup We recommend going to the Gentoo website and using the installation guide to install this distribution on your computer. Once you have the installation guide handy you’ll want to go one of the site’s mirrors and download the Gentoo installation CD. You’ll need to burn it to a CD and then boot it up. Then you can begin the installation. Once the installation is ready you need to make sure your computer is ready for installation. First, make sure your network is configured to work install. You may have to set it up especially if you are on a wireless system. Next, prepare the disks for mounting using fdisk or cfdisk and mke2fs, mke2fs –j, mkfs.xfs, or mkfs.jfs. Once this is done it is time to mount. The stage needs to be setup once everything has been mounted. It needs to be prepared and chrooting must occur. Then it is time to upgrade the baselayout. Once this is done the true setup can begin because its time to configure the system. This includes setting the root password and any other necessary system configurations. Once Gentoo has been configured the system tools, system logger, and the file system tools need to be installed. Bootloader needs to be configured and grub or lilo must emerge. This is done by editing the grub and lilo conf files. If you use GRUB it needs to be installed within the MBR. By now you should be able to exit and unmount the file systems. You’ll want to reboot and finalize the setup and installation by logging in with your root password. You can add additional users to your system once you’re logged in. 4.2 Pros & Cons While fewer individuals seem to recommend Gentoo then the other distributions we’ve discussed the vast majority of those that have used Gentoo do have many wonderful things to say about this OS. The main praise Gentoo receives is its ability to be flexible and customizable. There is no wasting of space through the installation of extra programs. With Gentoo you only have to install what you need as you need it. Gentoo also has the ability to optimize to specific hardware. Here is a list of the pros to using Gentoo: Install has wireless card support Can be compiled completely from source It is consistently being updated The package management is tight The kernel is stable Easy to follow online manual for help with Gentoo use Very good for those learning Linux The configuration is set up easily Excellent user support Ease of use once it is set up The OS is fast
With that being said there are some things that should be mentioned when discussing Gentoo that make the OS less then desirable. However, the goal truly is to have the pros outweigh the cons and for most Gentoo seems to live up to their expectations even with the few flaws it has. Here is a list of the most common complaints users seem to have in reference to Gentoo OS: The install is incredibly time consuming The USE selections are worthless Installation is especially slow on non-Pentium processors The installation is difficult especially for those new to Linux Some of the commands are specific to Gentoo If you use wireless internet during the Install you must use the unstable functions or it won’t work properly.
As you can see the main problem is the installation. Gentoo has a manual installation and setup that can take quite a bit of time. If you do not have a lot of time on your hands Gentoo is not recommended. 4.3 Features There are many features that make Gentoo stand out from other Linux distros. While the installation for Gentoo seems to be the most difficult part of the entire package perhaps having the following features will make the lengthy installation and setup worth all the hard work. Gentoo has support for the following processors: x86 AMD64 UltraSparc PowerPC Alpha MIPS
The developers of Gentoo offer a Live-CD that can be used for installation for all of the previous browsers excluding MIPS. Gentoo has the latest release that is stable of GNOME and KDE. Additionally, this OS contains several different Linux kernels that have been optimized, and a GNU development environment for all of Linux developers needs. Gentoo has file system support for: XFS ext3 EVMS LVM ReiserFS •
…and hardware support for: NVIDIA Creative Labs LIVE! Audigy
Finally, Gentoo offers a tough security program that has been recently developed, a modular OpenGL and compiler sub-system, a specific system for initialization scripts that is dependable, and over 8000 software packages. 4.4 Overview Gentoo seems to have several redeeming qualities which users seem to enjoy. As long as the individual is able to find a way to get through the lengthy installation, configuration, and setup for Gentoo then the program is actually worth the time it takes to get it working. If you choose Gentoo keep in mind that the goal of the entire OS is to offer users the freedom to choose exactly what they want to install and how they want to install it making their OS truly unique to their individual needs. 5.0 KNOPPIX As you may recall we touched briefly on KNOPPIX when we were discussing Debian. That is because KNOPPIX is one of the distributions for Linux that is based on Debian. KNOPPIX can be booted from a CD or DVD. This Linux distro supports many different kinds of hardware including a multitude of SCSI and USB devices, sound cards, and graphic cards. KNOPPIX has several uses. It can be used as the main OS and desktop for computer users. It is also used to help newcomers learn Linux. KNOPPIX is also free to use and modify as the basis for commercial products and as a backup rescue system for computer security errors. Here is a screenshot of KNOPPIX: You can find more information and a list of places to download this distro on KNOPPIX at the OS’ official web site: 5.1 Setup KNOPPIX setup is easy. You can purchase a CD/DVD of KNOPPIX from the official website or be connected to a mirror to download it. Once that is done you will need to boot the CD or DVD and the installation and configuration is done for you. KNOPPIX is easy to configure. It uses the latest version of KDE as the desktop. It has made use of some of Debian's greatest features (such as the auto-date programs) and taken away Debian’s biggest problem which was a complicated installation. In comparison, Debian has much more to offer once the OS is installed, configured, and setup then KNOPPIX does. It is recommended for advanced users and KNOPPIX is flexible with the needs of both the new Linux users and the seasoned professionals. 5.2 Pros & Cons KNOPPIX has been rated highly by those who use it. The best thing about KNOPPIX, according to its users is the fact that is easy to use. While it does not have as many program options as Debian does it is much more user friendly then its counterpart. This is a good distribution for those that are new to using any type of Linux system. KNOPPIX is also praised for its speed. This distro makes any task seem effortless. Additionally, users note the fact that everything is already loaded and ready to go, simple configuration, and unsurpassed hardware detection as the main reasons they use and like KNOPPIX. Now that we’ve mentioned all the positive things that KNOPPIX has to offer we must touch on the negative aspects to using this distro. First, if you’re using KNOPPIX from a CD it can be incredibly slow. You must have a floppy disk to save settings and some of the newer systems no longer have the floppy on them anymore. Other cons to using KNOPPIX are: Not all drivers are compatible Not all tools are available The installer has issues at times The package is unstable Setup for downloading files can be difficult Some hardware (such as specific printer brands) is not supported by KNOPPIX.
5.3 Features While there are some major things that need to be addressed for KNOPPIX to be the best Linux distro available there are some features that may make using this distro worthwhile. However, many users have recommended that the primary use for KNOPPIX is as a rescue system. Some of the reasons why KNOPPIX works is the ease of use. The KNOPPIX CD has everything already installed on it. In fact, the CD has a decompression feature that allows for 2 GB of software. On the DVD 8 GB can be installed upon it. Here is a list of additional features: KNOPPIX configures itself on a computer system Is Multi-Lingual Latest version 4.0 is on DVD which provides more software Allows installation of up to 5,300 programs Multiple desktop environments (11) to choose from (KDE, GNOME, RatPoison, FluxBox, etc.) Compatible with hundreds of games Available with Apache Web Server, MySQL DB, and PHP Easy software updates using the ‘Debian’ method It is updated consistently.
5.4 Overview Despite some installation problems and not as many programs being available as Debian, KNOPPIX has its own unique qualities that set it apart from the rest of the distributions we are discussing. With the ease of use during installation, configuration, setup, and after KNOPPIX is worth looking into if you want to get a Linux system and aren’t sure where to start. KNOPPIX has already made CDs and DVDs for as low as 98 cents to use if you aren’t sure about downloading the program yourself. With the boot CD/DVD everything is so compact you will see how fast your computer moves since there is so much free space that is available on your system. 6.0 Mandrake/Mandriva With the lowest reviews by users Mandrake definitely has some catching up to do when it comes to the other Linux distributions. Of course, there is still a wide majority of users that prefer Mandrake over other systems. However, there are some outdated features that seem to put Mandrake one step behind Debian, KNOPPIX, and even Damn Small Linux. Mandrake is now known as Mandriva. The new name does not reflect the fact that Mandriva/Mandrake is being made by the same individuals who created the original version. Mandriva is compatible with both WIFI and Intel. Therefore, the capabilities of Mandriva extend into use on PDA’s and wireless networks. Here is a screenshot of Mandrake/Mandriva: For more information on ordering, installing, and additional support check out the official Mandrake/Mandriva web site at: http://www.mandriva.com 6.1 Setup The installation for Mandriva/Mandrake should not be difficult. However, you may need to install things manually if your computer is not configured correctly. Commonly, users must manually set the ‘too’ option, and manually install PCMCIA. However, be careful with this. If this is installed correctly you will not be able to boot into the system. It will make you uninstall the PCMCIA. This is part of the problem with wireless networking that we’ll be discussing in the next few sections. ACPI should be enabled once the install has occurred successfully. Mandriva/Mandrake may have trouble recognizing your USB ports so you need to make sure that all of your hardware is compatible if you want to print and scan. If you wish to you can dual boot both Windows XP and Mandrake together. It makes copying files much easier then having to save them to disks and then load them up again. Once you’re done with these optional configurations you need to set the desktop to either GNOME or KDE. Since KDE isn’t up to date GNOME is currently recommended by the majority of Mandriva users. 6.2 Pros & Cons Users of Mandrake/Mandriva have quite a lot to say about this distro. There are many different pros and cons to using Mandriva over other distributions. We’ll be listing the pros to using it first. Mandriva is praised because there is excellent hardware support and the quantity of software that is available is plentiful. Though it is not the easiest distribution to use it has been said that Mandriva is much easier to install and use then the advanced distribution, Debian. Other pros to using Mandriva are: It is configured very well The installation goes smoothly Recommended for those new to Linux
Of course, there have been complaints. While Mandriva gets a 9 out of 10 rating by its users there is only an 84% approval rating compared to other distributions. Despite their flaws the majority of the other distributions remained above 94%. Here is a list of the cons: KDE version is old and needs to be reinstalled The installation screen is an annoying blue color It’s hard to figure out how to use the boot command line It doesn’t work well with wireless cards GUI is unpleasant Not updated enough Drops the network a lot
6.3 Features Mandriva has some really neat features that make it quite an attractive distribution when it comes to Linux. The support for hardware is just one of the things that make this distribution so popular. The support includes extended laptop support for Mandriva. It should be noted that this distro is the first to offer support services specifically for use on laptops. Other Mandriva features to note are: Flexible use with PDA’s and other mobile devices The latest KDE version is provided to ‘Mandriva Club Members’ The latest version of GNOME Fast, easy to use compilers Urpmi (must be setup) A complete control center The latest version of X. Org Open Office Udev Multi-Lingual Extensive support & community for Linux newbie’s and experienced users alike Compatible with several different kinds of software
6.4 Overview Mandriva has some flaws that cannot be ignored. Linux distributions are constantly being updated and improving. In this area Mandriva seems to fall short. The fact that some of the packages are not up to date can definitely reflect negatively upon this distribution. Nevertheless, Mandriva is used by many Linux users and is considered one of the better distributions in terms of ease of installation, use, and help for Linux newbies. 7.0 Mepis Linux Mepis Linux, also known as Simply Mepis, is another distro that is based off of the Debian system. The users of Mepis all seem to rave about how stable Mepis is. In fact, nearly all of the Mepis users agree that this is the ultimate Linux distribution simply because it combines the powerful background Debian provides while maintaining ease of use for those that are new to Linux. Here is an extremely simple looking screenshot of a Mepis Linux Desktop: Mepis can be downloaded or purchased for a relatively low price through the official Mepis Linux web site. If you are looking for help with installing and/or a place to hang out with other Mepis users there is a very strong Mepis community through this site. Here is the URL: http://www.mepis.org 7.1 Setup Mepis installation is a piece of cake compared to similar distribution Debian. Mepis can be run from a live CD if a user wants to try it out before installing it. Mepis takes a little more then a minute to install. First, you’ll need to boot the CD. The CD may be slow to use but if you load Mepis onto your system you will find it is quite fast and efficient. To install Mepis Linux restart your computer with the CD in CD-ROM drive. When your computer loads click on the button that says Install Me. You will be asked a series of questions on the type of hardware your system uses and on partitioning if you’ll be using Windows as well as Mepis. You’ll need to name your computer and provide a username/password. Then you’ll need to provide a root password and the installation menu will have you set the time. The installation will occur automatically. This usually takes between 15-20 minutes. You can use the Live Mepis CD as a rescue disk and you’ll find that software is already installed. Now that Mepis is installed you need to check for updates. You can do this by logging in as root. You can use the upgrade and update commands to make sure the latest Mepis version and software packages have been installed. All the packages you want will be found through KDE. You can use the Package Manager to select to install any software that has not been pre-installed that you will want. Once that is done you can start using Mepis. Remember if you need any help you can go to the Mepis website for help and support. 7.2 Pros & Cons Mepis users seem to be incredibly loyal. The pros seem to outweigh the cons when it comes to using this distro. The most notable pros to using Mepis Linux are listed as the powerful usability factors, the fast, efficient system Mepis provides, and the simplicity of the program that makes it easy for newbies to use and understand. Here is a list of some of the other pros of the Mepis Linux distribution: Combines the best elements of many of the other distributions especially Debian Outstanding functionality Comes with pre-installed software Simple to use Package Availability Compatible with many different kinds of software Easy for users to switch from Windows to Mepis
As you can see there are so many great things about Mepis Linux. However, there are a few negative aspects to using the Mepis distro. Mainly the problem is that it is slightly harder to learn to use then Mandriva though users of the latter seem to be much more dependent on the OS then Mepis users are. 7.3 Features The newest version of Mepis is 3.3.1. There are many features that make this one of the best distributions available. While other Linux distributions seem to have either complex installations or trouble functioning on certain systems Mepis Linux seems to avoid these problems with ease. Additional features that make Mepis Linux shine are: The latest version of KDE Version 1.1.4 of Open Office Compatible with Mozilla Firefox GAIM Xchat Skype Equipment support Mplayer compatibility Easy to install and update Easily installed software Several different software packages are compatible with Mepis
These are just a few of the many features Mepis Linux offers. However, there simply isn’t enough time to list all of the redeeming qualities Mepis has to offer. 7.4 Overview Users are raving about Mepis Linux. They are hailing it as the new replacement for Windows. There is very little that can be said about Mepis in a negative light. People will still have trouble installing this distribution as no distro is perfect. However, Mepis Linux seems to be one distribution that truly keeps the Linux community from smacking themselves in the head as they try to get it to work. While Mepis cannot claim all of the credit, the author of Mepis can. The observances of the Mepis Linux developer are what make Mepis everything it is today. Through other distributions that often cause headaches and bellyaching from Linux users Mepis has been able to take what has worked in others and leave everything that seems to cause the headaches in the dust. 8.0 PCLinux PCLinux is one of the newer OS for Linux to make its debut. The PCLinux development team uses open source for the creation and maintenance of this distribution. While PCLinux is only available in English future versions may contain multi-lingual functionality. PCLinux comes with some of the newest software packages. It is still new to the Linux community so while there is not very much information on the current installation of PCLinux there will be many software reviews as PCLinux becomes more and more popular. PCLinux is currently being considered as in the “Beta” Phase. Here is a screenshot of the KDE desktop used with PCLinux: For further updates on the development of PCLinux, installation information and how to purchase PC Linux Check out the official PCLinux web site: http://www.pclinuxonline.com 8.1 Setup Installation for the beta version of PCLinux is done through a live CD. First you will need to login as a guest. Then you will need to click on the Install Icon (Live CD). Enter a root password (default is –root). You’ll need to partition the hard disks by clicking on the button that allows you to do this. You must create a swap partition that is twice the size of your memory and then format this partition. You will need to create a partition now. It must be at least 5 GB and be ext3 or reiserfs. Mount the partitions. PCLinux should install on the partition. Format the partition once the install is complete. Make sure you find out what the /dev/hda number is for the partition. Exit and then update fstab. Install the partition but do not format it. PCLinux will install. Once it is installed you have the option of installing the bootloader on the same partition or not. This is optional. Now set your root password. Delete the guest account you used. Create a user for yourself. Now you’re ready to go. You can use PCLinux. 8.2 Pros & Cons Since PCLinux is still under quite a bit of development it is hard to list the pros and cons. The few that have actually discussed the uses of PCLinux are right when they say that this is not the final project and any bugs may be removed by the time it is removed from beta and the stable version is released. From the PCLinux Beta preview there are some improvements that definitely need to be made. However, the PCLinux developers are on the right track. Here is a list of the current pros for the PCLinux operating system. You can run this OS from the live CD Plenty of room on the CD for software installations (2 GB) Compatible with Mozilla Firefox, Xserver, Open Office, and Thunderbird Uses the latest version of KDE P2P capabilities File sharing is easy Preconfigured software available Easy to install to hard drive Easy to maintain and update software
The most obvious downside to PCLinux is that it is beta. Linux users are less likely to take the chance on an OS until they know it is stable enough for use. This is why it can be hard for a distribution to break into the Linux scene. There are so many other distributions to compete with. PC Linux also has some things that need to be addressed. Hopefully, the stable versions will rectify these problems. 1 It is only available in English. This opens it up to a limited audience. 2 It does not want to read certain hardware on laptops so manual install is necessary 3 May be incompatible with some fonts
8.3 Features The PCLinux features seem appealing to those in the Linux community that are brave enough to try it in its beta form. Thus far, it has received rave reviews over other distributions including Mandriva/Mandrake and Gentoo. The fact that it is new is also appealing since there is plenty to be explored through PCLinux. There are many features that PCLinux has that make it stand out from the competition. First, there is only one Live CD. You can either install it on the hard drive or write the settings to the pen drive. The installation is easy if you follow the directions. The GUI is flexible and attractive. Other features of PCLinux include: Easy to use partition manager Ease of use when updating and removing software Uses Synaptic Easy to use command line Reliable P8 Capabilities and usage Compatible with Firefox, Mplayer, and Java Uses GRUB and LILO Attractive GUI
8.4 Overview Despite being the new kid on the block Linux users are enjoying what PCLinux has to offer. If the few bugs that seem to be in the beta version are removed PCLinux has the ability to become one of the most powerful and widely distributed Linux distros on the web. The developers of PCLinux certainly knew what they were doing when they decided to create this distro. There are already so many positive reviews and many long-time Linux users are already thinking of converting to PCLinux if the stable version is as well written as the beta version is. 9.0 RedHat 9 One of the most trusted names in the Linux community is Red Hat. Red Hat is deemed to be the easiest Linux distro to use by computer professionals around the globe. It is the recommended distribution for those that are new to Linux. Red Hat is by far the most widely distributed Linux distro followed closely by Debian. Red Hat 9 is considered one of the ultimate choices in operating systems. Red Hat of course offers this to the community in a commercial form. The average price for Red Hat 9 is $40+. However, there is a free version. The free version does have limited use and functionality compared to the paying version. Here is a screenshot of a Red Hat 9 desktop: For information on how to purchase any of the Red Hat products, news, and everything else Red Hat go to the official web site at: http://www.redhat.com/ 4.1 Setup Red Hat has different installations for different uses. If you are using it for a workstation there is a version for that and one for servers and desktops as well. Partitioning is automated so someone new to Linux doesn’t have to worry about messing that up. You will need to purchase a Red Hat Linux subscription before installation can occur. Red Hat is available through CD, FTP, HTTP, and NFS. Once Red Hat is ready to install you can watch as your space is partitioned and Red Hat is installed. Once this is done you can choose all of the Red Hat features you want and then every package you want to install will automatically be installed for you. The installation may take a bit of time but once this is done you’ll need to reboot and the computer will automatically configure everything after installation through Red Hat Setup. Then you will need to create a user account, set the time and date, and register on the Red Hat Linux Network. Once this is done you should be ready to go. You can only use the free version for a limited time so if you’re using it be prepared to either purchase a subscription or install another distribution. 4.2 Pros & Cons While other versions of Red Hat have been viewed as too commercial very little can be said against Red Hat 9. The installation, which once was difficult on older versions, is simple. The Red Hat Network is incredibly large and can offer a lot of support, advice, and information that some of the smaller distributions cannot. Here are the pros according to the users of Red Hat 9: Many pre-installed software programs (Mozilla, Galeon, KOffice, Evolution, etc) Apt4RPM Up2Date Recommended for Newbies Easy to use & Install Very popular = Big community = Lots of support The best LVM setup File system is easy to use Supports innumerable drivers
Despite this being heavily revered in the Linux community there are some cons to Red Hat 9. Here is the current list of cons: Bluecurve may be unfavorable RPM too much like Windows XP Not enough available on free version Awful multimedia support A few minor bugs No MPEG support
4.3 Features Red Hat 9 offers a plethora of features that none of the other distros offer. There are also additional features that seem to be available on the vast majority of the distributions that are available currently. Here is a list of the features for Red Hat 9: Rescue Mode Online Manuals available Productivity software embedded into the system A large amount of applications are compatible and available for install Is able to open and save Microsoft Word documents through OpenOffice Ximian Evolution Email Uses GIMP as an alternative to Photoshop Uses Mozilla as the default browser Information on every subsystem and application is readily available Newbie friendly
4.4 Overview Despite being commercial software Red Hat Linux is one of the most popular distributors in the world. The fact that it is commercial give it a much stronger support forum then many of the smaller distros and the Red Hat team is much more free to fix what needs to be fixed as it is completed. Unfortunately, the commercial factor does hurt Red Hat. In the Linux community those that are diehard Linux fans are less likely to use this distro simply because it costs money to use it to its fullest capabilities. 10.0 Slackware Slackware is one of the oldest UNIX distributions. It was originally released in the early 1990’s. Since then it has been the goal of the developers to make Slackware the distribution that is most like UNIX. In fact, this has paid off. If users have been too disgruntled to pay to use Red Hat they’ve either turned to Slackware or to Debian. Some of the Slackware features are based off GNU/Linux including the Slackware file system. The goal of Slackware is to provide all of this in the most stable and simple environment. There is no sense in bogging a user down with unnecessary installation expectations, guidelines, and hard to use software. Slackware is compatible with a wide variety of computer hardware. Here is a screenshot of the Slackware desktop provided by OsDir.com For information on installation, how to install, and other advice check out the Slackware website at http://www.slackware.com 4.1 Setup Installing, Configuring, and setting up Slackware is an extremely complex process. You will need to go through and select everything that will need to setup before installation can occur. Once everything is setup the files can be copied, installed, and then the OS is ready to use. You will need to setup your keyboard functions so you’ll need to answer yes or no as to whether the keyboard uses the standard USA 101 key layout. The partitions will be listed. You will be asked whether Slacware should be installed as the swap space. Then you’ll need to answer whether you want mkswapused on swap partitions. You will now need to set up the main partition for the Linux installation. Type in the name of the device that will be used for this and then answer whether you want Slackware to format the partition. Now you’ll need to change the imode density to suit your needs. Now list if you need to use additional partitions. If you do then you will repeat the above steps. If not it will list the partitions and you will need to quit. Now you need to decide if you want to format the partitions. Tell the system where to mount the partitions. As you can see the installation is already complex. Now you will decide if you want the partitions to be visible. Then you need to type in which partition should visible. Now list the directory where you want these partitions mounted. Now chose the source media of your choice to Install Slackware. After you select what kind of installation you want you will have to go through a series of questions specific to each installation. Now it’s time to install software. You will need to decide if you want to use PROMPT mode for software installation. The next thing you have to do is enter the tagfile extension. Once this is done, you will be able to access the screen for extra configuration options. This includes boot disk configuration, network configuration, mouse setup, and more. Remove the boot disk and reboot using the ctrl+alt+delete feature. 4.2 Pros & Cons The positive aspect that is reiterated about Slackware is that the name speaks for itself. Slackware is a trusted name in the Linux community. It is dependable. It is rock-solid. It offers extensive support. The name alone should invoke enough positive features to keep the user interested in using Slackware’s operating system. Here is a short list of the pros concerning Slackware: Up to date versions of everything Most bugs in Slackware have been fixed Good to learn Linux with if you can get past the UNIX environment UNIX friendly Excellent Support Network works well with this distro Secure Stable
There are some cons to using Slackware. The main problem is the installation which can be a pain. Here are some more cons to using Slackware: Hard to use updated scripts UNIX friendly (may not be good for Newbies) Latest version didn’t have very many new features Not enough software supported
4.3 Features The features for Slackware are definitely what keep the product going because the installation is extremely difficult as you may have noticed. If you can manage to get past the installation you can enjoy the following things from Slackware: Follows the KISS mantra (keep it simple stupid) when designing Slackware Uses BSD init scripts Packages are easily upgraded, updated, added, and removed Has an automated dependency resolution
4.4 Overview Slackware has been around so long that there is no doubt it is here to stay. There seems to be quite a bit of users who will stick with Slackware through the best and mediocre versions. The consensus is that Slackware will always bounce back. Their less then desirable versions are just stepping stones to a much better version that has yet to be released. That being said Slackware is considered a more advanced distribution then some of the others such as Red Hat and Mandriva which as newbie friendly. The UNIX-based environment may be too intimidating for a new user to handle right away. 11.0 SUSE SUSE truly gives Red Hat a run for their money. While SUSE claims to be the most widely distributed and most used Linux distribution out there it is often hard to tell which distro is the leader simply because many of the free versions do not have any way of recording how many people are downloading and using the operating system. SUSE is an award winning Linux distribution. The latest version is Linux 9.3 Professional which can be easily installed. Here is a picture of the SUSE desktop: For information on installation and downloading SUSE go to the official SUSE website at: http://www.novell.com/linux/suse/ 4.1 Setup While the installation is simple it is time consuming. You will need to choose which program packages you will want to install. You can always select the default for extra results. When you purchase SUSE you have up to 90 days of free support if you need help installing the OS. Yast will walk you through the installation. Unlike Slackware which is so in depth that often people are not willing to take the time to do it SUSE is installed with relative ease as Yast walks you through everything step by step. 4.2 Pros & Cons SUSE claims to be the best, but is it really all it is cracked up to be? The users of SUSE seem to think so. With a rating of 9.1 out of 10, SUSE 9.3 is quite popular amongst both the older SUSE users and Linux Newbies. Here is a list of the pros when using SUSE: Great hardware detection feature Attractive desktop look Supports Samba, Yast, etc. Up to Date programs Many features and compatible applications Stable kernel User Friendly Noob Friendly
Like every other distro there are the cons to using SUSE. Here is the current list: Despite being simple installation takes a long time Requires additional multimedia sources Not as fast as other distros
4.3 Features SUSE works quite well when a user is moving from Windows to this distro. That is just one of the many features that make SUSE worthwhile. SUSE has a smart install feature that will automatically create the dual boot system so Windows and Linux can both be used. There are also programs that exchange documentation and files with the windows files. Here is a list of additional features: In depth installation guides Compatible with web browsing, email, chatting organizing, multimedia, and office based applications. Works with home networks Great for newbies and advanced users alike 1,000+ free applications Easy to configure Security is top notch Two versions 32 & 64 bit
4.4 Overview SUSE Linux distribution truly does go above and beyond to offer what other distributions will not. You can pay or download SUSE. Either way the consensus is that SUSE is worth the money and time it takes to install it since the program does everything for you. 12.0 Ubuntu Ubuntu is free software that is also based on the Debian system. However, with Ubuntu users either seem to really like this distro or they really do not like it at all. Those that like it praise all of the features and have little to gripe about. The critics compare it to the various other distros and point out every flaw the distro has. Either way, like every other operating system Ubunto has both its supporters and its critics. Here is a screenshot of an Ubuntu desktop provided by osdir.com For all the information you’ll need on Ubuntu the official website is: http://www.ubuntulinux.org/ 4.1 Setup Ubuntu has an in depth guide listing all of the things you’ll need to setup, activate, deactivate, remove, and add both the initial Ubuntu installation as well as Ubuntu software packages. You should not have any questions after using this guide. If you do the Ubuntu forums allow for users to ask questions about everything from designing a desktop to installation problems. You can access the Ubuntu Guide here: http://www.ubuntuguide.org/ Ubuntu is installed on a Live Boot CD. For more details, check out the Ubuntu Guide. 4.2 Pros & Cons The supporters of Ubuntu are willing to praise their favorite distro. There are many pros to using Ubuntu according to these specific users. The list of Ubuntu pros is as follows: Easy to Set up Debian Based Great Hardware Detection Stable Nice assortment of packages included Easy to use Wonderful Community & Support Clean Desktop
The critics compare Ubuntu to Debian, Gentoo, Red Hat, SUSE, and a few of the other Linux distributions. Those that see fit to compare this distro often disagree that it is worth the time and effort. Here is a list of the downfalls to using Ubuntu: Not good for Newbies Install can be difficult Debian package is not up to date Instable Not flexible with WiFi cards Not easy to use Slow to boot up
As you can see there are some differences of opinion between Ubuntu users and critics. The pros and cons were pretty much the same for both users and critics on the other distros. 4.3 Features The features of Ubuntu are specific. For one, Ubuntu, as we mentioned previously, is Debian based. Additionally, it also uses GNOME as its default browser. It is the most compatible web browser for Ubuntu. Check out more features of Ubuntu: Will always be free Multi-Lingual Uses sudo tool for administrator functions Updated Regularly Can be used as a desktop and a server 16,000 pieces of software On a single CD
4.4 Overview Ubuntu may not be the most popular Linux distro that is available. However, with a select crowd Ubuntu serves the purpose it intends by providing an easy to install and use, Debian based, stable operating system with many packages that can be used to install many applications that make this distro worth it. If you are looking for another Debian based system to try out you should give Ubuntu a try. However, there are some bugs that will need to be fixed before a near-perfect version is released. 13.0 Conclusion You will find that despite what you read or hear from Linux experts and distro users choosing the right Linux distribution for you is a matter of personal choice and preference. There are definitely some distributions that are better then the rest and those will certainly win the majority of users. Despite this fact, all of the distros we’ve discussed in this document have their own devoted group of followers that will stick with the distro so long as no radical, unwanted changes are made to it. Every computer user has different needs. Everyone has a different purpose for why they are on the computer be it work, school, socialization, or entertainment through gaming, chat, and web surfing. Hopefully this document will help you to narrow down the choices so you have a much better idea of which distribution is right for you based on your needs as a computer user. Your level of experience on Linux will certainly determine which distro you decide to use first. However, in time you will find that Linux becomes second nature and then you can move on to some of the other, more advanced distros you may have been more interested in using in the first place. No matter which Linux distribution you choose the revolutionary approach each of these distributions takes is leaving other, more obsolete operating systems, such as Windows, in the dust in terms of security, speed, and dependability. Bibliography Select Screenshots Provided by: OSDir.com Damn Small Linux – 50 MB of Penguin Power. http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/. The Official Damn Small Linux Web Site. Debian – The Universal Operating System. http://www.debian.org/. The Official Debian Web Site. Gentoo Linux. http://www.gentoo.org/. The Official Gentoo Linux Web Site. KNOPPIX. http://www.knoppix.com/. The Official KNOPPIX Web Site.LinuxQuestions.org – Where Linux Users Come for Help. http://www.linuxquestions.org/. Linux Questions Web Site. Mandriva Linux. http://www.mandriva.com/. The Official Mandriva/Mandrake Web Site. MEPIS Support and Development. http://www.mepis.org/. The Official Mepis Linux Web Site.
NOVELL SUSE LINUX. http://www.novell.com/linux/suse/. The Official SUSE Web Site. PCLinuxOS. http://www.pclinuxonline.com/pclos/index.html. The Official PCLinux Web Site.
Red Hat – The Open Source Leader. http://www.redhat.com/. The Official Red Hat Linux Web Site. The Slackware Linux Project. http://www.slackware.com/. The Official Slackware Web Site. Ubuntu – Linux for Human Beings. http://www.ubuntulinux.org/. The Official UbuntuWeb Site.
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