Every Linux OS is special!

TuxCrux Admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 11:56:29 +0000

This is true. You will have a unique working experience with everyone of it. Every Linux OS has its own peculiarities which can be mysterious as well as intuitive, can be advantageous too. Due to the wide availability and with its specific editions Linux have been on the charts and have been best choices for various platforms.
This post is just a brief intro to major Linux distros out there. It will give you a good preset in your mind if you are gonna install a new Linux distro in future.
So here we start with:

(1) Ubuntu

If you have just switched over to Linux from Windows, this is the right choice for you. Working environment is very identical to Windows, and software packages are also easily available because of its Debian backup. Adding and removing any application is also quite simple. Synaptic manager is the name of utility. Well codecs is not very much the issue. You can play mp3s seconds after installation. Codecs are also easily available for downloads.
Well the negative side is that Gnomeis the only desktop environment available.

(2) openSuse

It is Novell backed distribution which has gained a lot of fame in recent time. Firstly it was not free but later Suse came with free verison named openSuse. open Suse has very cool graphical interface. Well it has multiple desktop environment support also with Gnome and KDE. Name of application manager is Yast Yet Another Setup Tool. It is much simpler and easy to use than Ubuntu’s Synaptic manager. Downloading packages and software is not the biggest issue. Updates are available every time you connect your system with internet.
But the codecs are really an issue in openSuse. You have to download dozens of codecs to play your all media files. Second is the installment, installation is confusing and complex.

(3) Debian

If you’ve used Ubuntu you’ll have deja vu feeling. It has biggest resources/applications collection that is whopping 25000. Debian is the biggest package center in entire Linux community. Interface is much like Ubuntu. It has XFCE, KDE and Gnome as desktop environments. The full version of Debian come in 4DVDs or 10 CDs. Its quite a big distribution and requires a large hard disc space.

(4) Mint

Its said the lightest Linux distro. It is very simple to use. I reckon its the best media playing distro of Linux with a wide media playing support. It has both Debian and RPMs support as package downloading option. Its also a very good option for playing games.
Its the best option for a beginner who just want to drench its leg in LINUX pool.

(5 ) Slackware

If you are just getting your feet wet with Linux its time to try something geeky. Slackware has simple and straight principle of KISS (Keep It Simple and Stupid). Its not for you if you still feel you are armature. The thing is that its one the oldest distribution. Even you have to write down the commands for starting the booting process.
The best desktop environment is KDE. The software and packages comes with .tgz(.tar.gz) extension. Use installpkg to install these files. You must take one time experience with Slackware.

(6) Mandriva

Earlier name was Mandrake but after a legal war they had to replace the name. It is one of the prime face of Linux. It do have the paid version too. It is the French face of open source in France. It is quite consistent in its fan following and a good choice for newbies.