Which linux flavour

**steveG** · 3rd March 2009, 03:34 PM

One for the Linux gurus....I know there are some of you out there...

Its about time I got off my butt and did what I've been threatening for months: format my horrible Vista notebook (HP6710b), install linux, and just run Windows in a VM when I REALLY need to.

My work is in IT support, mainly servers/network/Oracle database support, so I'm comfortable with command line unix (Solaris/Redhat/Centos), but I do want a graphical desktop so that I can support the Windows servers/pc's remotely via VNC.

I've got a decent PC to trial the concept on for a start, and plan to set it up and do my work on the trial PC remotely (via VNC and ssh ) while I iron out the issues. Once I'm happy I can do the essentials I'll install on the notebook and go from there..
I'm struggling to find the right distribution that will do what I'm after.

Tried Centos 5 but it has issues with tightvnc-server crashing the kernel.
Tried PCLinuxOS but having issues with sshd dependency conflicts.

I know I'm up for a fair bit of work to get it going properly, but when I'm already jumping hurdles just setting up VNC/ssh I figure there has got to be a better distro.

BTW - the boss won't spring for a MacBook Pro which was my preferred option (nice GUI, Linux under the hood, and Windows in a VM when I have to).

Any suggestions on a good distro for what I'm trying to do?

Steve

**hoadie72** · 3rd March 2009, 03:40 PM

Ubunutu is the flavour of the month.

**29dinosaur** · 3rd March 2009, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by hoadie72

Ubunutu is the flavour of the month.

Absolutely.

**inside** · 3rd March 2009, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by hoadie72

Ubunutu is the flavour of the month.

Or Mythbuntu if you have a TV!

**JDNSW** · 3rd March 2009, 05:09 PM

If you put any data or settings you want to keep in "home" (and most distributions do by default) and put this on its own partition, you can change distributions without losing anything (may have to select the custom install) and of course back up anything important to guard against stupid mistakes. In this way I have changed from Mandrake to Suse to Ubuntu plus several upgrades of each.

Most distributions support the same software, although what comes as standard with each varies, and the main differences between distributions seem to be in their software mangement.

I would be inclined to try Ubuntu as suggested, plus Suse, Fedora and Mandriva. All of these support the most popular desktops, Gnome and KDE, as well as usually a couple of others.

Note that Mac's OS-X is a variant of BSD, not Linux although both of these are essentially variants of Unix, and are very similar.

John

Tombie · 3rd March 2009, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Note that Mac's OS-X is a variant of BSD, not Linux although both of these are essentially variants of Unix, and are very similar.

John

OS X is now a Certified Unix OS...

Apple - Mac OS X Leopard - Technology - UNIX

**vnx205** · 3rd March 2009, 05:21 PM

One advantage of Ubuntu is that its popularity means there is a lot of help available if you need it.

While being the most popular doesn't necessarily make it the best, it must suit a lot of people.

I run Xubuntu because my computer is about 8 yrs old and am very happy with it.

This table from the Distrowatch site gives an idea of its popularity.

Rank Distribution H.P.D* *Hits per Day
1 Ubuntu 2329
2 openSUSE 1713
3 Mint 1559
4 Fedora 1362
5 Debian 1265
6 Mandriva 1042
7 PCLinuxOS 973
8 MEPIS 660
9 CentOS 656

10 Puppy 644

**81stubee** · 3rd March 2009, 05:21 PM

I'd be inclined to try Ubuntu, I run it on my home PC and it works straight out of the box. Mind you I don't get very technical though.

IMHO I think Ubuntu will become a standard so to speak as it seems to be almost now that you can get anything for ubuntu.

Stu

**JDNSW** · 3rd March 2009, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by 81stubee

I'd be inclined to try Ubuntu, I run it on my home PC and it works straight out of the box. Mind you I don't get very technical though.

IMHO I think Ubuntu will become a standard so to speak as it seems to be almost now that you can get anything for ubuntu.

Stu

Actually, if it runs on and is available for Ubuntu, it runs on most other distributions, and is also available for them, although getting and installing it may be a little (or a lot) messier. One of Ubuntu's strengths is the slickness of their software mangement, but some of the others are close, or even use Ubuntu's system.

Note: Ubuntu variants:-

Edubuntu = Ubuntu set up for class use (harder for the user to change things and some special educational software)

Kubuntu= Ubuntu with KDE desktop (standard is Gnome) - more like Windows, where Gnome is more like Mac in appearance and philosophy

Xubuntu = Ubuntu with XCF desktop - much less demanding of resources, hence good with your older computer.

John

**hoadie72** · 3rd March 2009, 05:45 PM

Last year I tried Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, SUSE and openSUSE and found Ubuntu the easiest to install with the least mucking around to get it working. This was on an IBM Thinkpad which being on the older side had a fairly well documented chipset so should've been a doddle to set up on all varients but it wasn't. That's why my vote goes to Ubuntu & it's various flavours.

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