Linux Thinking of making the step to linux

I'm starting to get annoyed with windows and my seemingly endless problems with drivers, and things just in general, ****ing up without me changing anything, you get the idea....

Since I reinstalled win2k about 12-14 weeks ago, I've had nothing but endless problems with my PC seeming to be ****, freezing at random moments when I minimize a maximised window, etc, etc... problems I didn't have before I reinstalled, my hardware is not in question as far as requirements to run windows or anything.

I'm probably looking towards debian/gentoo from what I have read around, and used previously... I didn't get on too well with RedHat, it was fine, but just not my cup of tea if you get me

I also tried Mandrake, but within 1 hour of installing it, I'd formatted the drive

A friend of a friend of mine is a big debian guru, so that is probably the way I will go... I'm a fairly heavy user in terms of system resources, but then, a lot of people here are I guess

Any suggestions, ideas?

 

1)Check your PC components for Linux driver compatability with an official site or forum.

2)Go with whichever version people you know use, sounds like Debian would be good for you.

If you have an aptitude for computing then it can be an edutaining experience. If not, like me, then juggling knives blindfolded will be easier on your nerves.

my 2p

 

Debian might be good, but my advice is go with what you want, because, the best way to learn Linux, is not to have someone pussyfoot about with you liek in Windows, the best way is to dive in, and start ripping **** up. And then when it bows up in your face, pick upt eh pieces and fix it.

I cna't say, if you want Gentoo or Debian, I love Gentoo, and have heard nothign but good about Debain (no personal experience, something that will hopefulyl soon be solved) so I'd say flip a coin !


Cheers which ever you do go with. We're here if you need help

 

if its any help I'll give you the main differences between gentoo and debian, I'm currently have gentoo installed on my laptop and have several debian boxes installed here at work.

The biggest difference is that debian packages are binary distributions and gentoo uses source code. So with gentoo installing new software and upgrading can take a long time depending on the size of the package and its dependencies as it will have to compile the source code. With debian the packages are downloaded already compiled and therefore not optimally compiled for your system.

The other big difference is the packages on gentoo are much more up to date than with debian. The theory being that debian holds off releasing the newest versions of software till it can verify that there are no huge gaping security holes in them.

There are minor differences in the filing system and config files between them but then thats the case with virtually every linux distro available.

 

thanks guys, I think its debian that I am going to go with, its a far more "out of the box" distro, rather than one that takes a long long time to configure, gentoo however is not going to be chucked out of the window totally, I'll take a look into this distro at a later date on a spare rig

 

The main advantage of Gentoo is that it REALLY teaches you linux. Using an out of the box distro will get you up and running very quickly but you'll not learn anything about linux in the process and soon get fed up when you don't know how to do certain things.

I went into the Gentoo install with a few months' experience of playing about with Redhat, Suse and Mandrake and did struggle slightly with the install but the install docs are excellent (read up on www.gentoo.org) and anyone can do it - be warned though the compiles take forever even on a quick machine but the benefit of this is a fully optimised system. Another rig with access to the internet is very helpful though in case you run into problems, as is an internet connection over a network rather than ADSL/Modem.

Gentoo is now my main OS, running on my main rig (XP1600 @ 2100, 256mb, 80gb, G550, 21" + 17") with Gnome 2.2 as well, as a server (Samba, NFS, Apache/PHP/MySQL, Mail, IMAP etc). I'm VERY happy with it, it's easy to live with, has no funny quirks and is totally customised for what I want to do. Damn I sounds like a salesman!

Anyway, getting back to the point, I learnt more from the Gentoo install than I did from months spent "playing" with other distros.

Debian certainly isn't bad though if you've got your mind set on simplicity.

 

arg, decisions decisions, I'm buying a new drive this weekend so that I don't lose anything off my windows drive, and can just go back if I really need to. Still in the middle as to whether to go for either gentoo or debian

 

Go for both

If you can't afford a few CDs, what the Hell your doing buiying another HDD is beyond me.

Linux really only needs about 3-5 gigs MAX as that will give plenty of room to install EVERYTHING and allow a swap if you need it (if you have 512 + MB of RAM, then swap is optional, below that, and swap is usually a good idea)

And thsoe numbers are for the mega bloated Redhat, I seriously doubt Debian is bigger than Redhat, and I know Gentoo isn't. Gentoo is ultra small and speedy.

Cheers !