Which Linux Distro Should I Choose - Just Ask Matt
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Today, John writes:
Matt, I’ve been looking into trying Linux for several months. I have tried Ubuntu from the live CD, and was just about to install it in a dual-boot setup and really start playing with it. But it seems like almost every day I see something about another distro that is even better (for a variety of reasons). It makes this Linux newbie’s head spin. I’m pretty sure I will just go with the latest Ubuntu, but I am interested in Linux Mint. As I understand it, LM is just Ubuntu with some multimedia extras. Is that correct? If so, if I am running LM, and see an article about some new feature or program for Ubuntu, can I just install it into LM as if it were Ubuntu? I hope that is clear.
Glad to see you exploring some of the Linux options out there. But before we even get into selecting a distro, I’d hold off on messing with your boot record as it can be problematic. Speaking for myself, I run dedicated machines or nothing at all. Dual-booting is a double edged sword that so many ‘experts’ underplay until something goes wrong and you are left repairing your Windows MBR. With that in mind, here are two options to get your feet wet.
Assuming you are running a semi-modern machine, I would consider playing around a little more with Ubuntu via this option. And using Wubi allows Windows users to boot into Ubuntu without the hair pulling experience of wondering why something went wrong with the dual-boot installation. Best of all, you just boot back to Windows and uninstall Wubi from Windows Add/Remove programs section should you find that it’s time to move on - how’s that for safe and painless?
If you are feeling a little more interested in Linux Mint, I can help you there as well. Linux MInt offers everything you mentioned, in addition to a slightly different ‘feel’ than Ubuntu. Different menus, additional wireless support, Thunderbird as the default email client, stuff like that. The really snazzy thing is that resources like GetDeb.net and GetAutomatix.com work just like they would on Ubuntu Feisty.
I’d run the Live CD before committing myself, and I would remember that wireless in Linux is all over the map - so don’t find yourself expecting Windows ease with it, despite the Linux hype surrounding the latest Ubuntu wireless news.
Once you decide that Linux Mint is where you want to be, get yourself a copy of Acronis Disk Director. Seriously, I cannot stress this enough in lieu of attempting the nightmare that can be a dual-boot gone wrong. This is especially the case with Vista. Like the Wubi option, you can just use the software to remove any distribution you decide to without putting your Windows installation at risk. Hope this helps.
Do you have an Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Simply Mepis, Linspire/Freespire, or PCLinuxOS related question? Perhaps you are just burnt out on writing on the walls with crayons? Whatever the comments may be, drop me a line, and you too can “Just Ask Matt - Linux Edition!
[tags]Linux, Ubuntu[/tags]
6 Comments
Robert Kubichek
July 11th, 2007
at 9:14am
You are missing one very easy option on running a Linux distro on a system without dual booting…
Get some hard drive carts for the type of hard drive you are using, and mount them in a free 5.25 bay…
You then have the windows hd, and another to expirement on selecting the Linux distro you preffer..
Two carts, and a hard drive should cost around $70 or even less if you shop around for deals.. The hd for the linux distro only need to be 40gig, or less..
This technique is used in places of learning so each student has thier own
hd/os to work with, and when class is done, the hd gets locked up until the next time..
I use it on all of my computers, including my server.
Bon
Joe Hovel
July 13th, 2007
at 7:07am
Hi Matt,
I’m very new to Linux/BSB. I need some advice on running an open source OS from a CF card in a CF to mini-IDE adapter in an old 486DX50 laptop with 2MB of Ram as a ‘net connected photoframe, e.g. to display a remote image form a webcam, or a webpage that refereshes at regular intervals or a slideshow of images on a removable flash card.
It should have drivers for a PCMCIA slot and a PCMCIA wirweless network card (I have a Lucent WLAN card for the purpose). No other functionality is needed - all it will do once running is hang on a wall and show pictures.
I’ve managed this in Win95b and a small rotating harddisk that powers down after a minute of inactivity, but this is not a suitable option for a CF card.
Anyy directions or other help?
Cheers,
Joe
Denis
July 14th, 2007
at 6:58am
Thanks for the great resource. I think I might try the Wubi method for my desktop. In the meantime I installed DreamLinux on an old Vaio laptop and it is a dream to work with. I love the xfce interface and the AppGet software which allows me to install what I want with just a few taps of the space bar. Once I get the wireless figured out it will all be good.
What kinds of software are available to do sound editing (basic stuff like I can do with Accoustica Mixcraft on XP) and video editing (more complicated like Pinnacle Studio 11) for the Linux platform. I know that a lot of open source is about free to use software but I have no objection to paying a couple of hundred for a video editing suite that downloads hi res DV tape and can edit then create DVD or VCD format as well as other formats like AVI, DIV-X, RM and Quicktime.
Matt Hartley
July 14th, 2007
at 1:30pm
All: I really want to answer these questions, but must have them queued through my email link above labeled “drop me a line”.
These are great questions, but I am not going to be able to manage requests from the comments section.
Thanks. :)
Denis
July 14th, 2007
at 7:03pm
Woohoo. I am typing this from my new Ubuntu install using Wubi on my XP box. Totally radical! Graphics card is singing, monitor looks good, sound is fine - haven’t figured out the DVD player yet but I am sure I will get it sorted.
Thank you for the link to Wubi. This is really going to give me the chance to give Linux a real run and learn how the OS and its applications work.
Matt Hartley
July 16th, 2007
at 12:10am
Denis: For multimedia playback, I’d start here :)
http://tinyurl.com/2ljd3w