whats the best version of linux?

lethalforce

lethalforce

New Member
i want Linux, so could you suggest the most widely compatible version that's free?

because there's all different kinds! i don't know where to start!
 
Your best bet is to shop for the distribution that would work best for you. Go to Distrowatch and look at the descriptions for teh different distros. That site has links to downloads, home pages and support pages for nearly every distribution out there.
 
There's many different distributions. Remember now, linux is only the kernel. Everything else is GNU, and packages.

You should probally start with an easier distribution. Fedora Core is a good distribution to start on. But there's plenty of others out there.

My personal favorite is slackware, but you probally won't like it as a first distro ;) .
 
Veurruckte said:
There's many different distributions. Remember now, linux is only the kernel. Everything else is GNU, and packages.

You should probally start with an easier distribution. Fedora Core is a good distribution to start on. But there's plenty of others out there.

My personal favorite is slackware, but you probally won't like it as a first distro ;) .
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see that's why i didn't understand Linux, does that mean when I'm downloading something and it says "Linux compatible" that it will work with my Linux no matter what version?
 
Few distributions ship with any kernels older than 2.4. Packages do have dependencies, or requirements. But most distributions generally have the same packages included. Then there is the format you download the package in. Tar/GZ is usually source, where as RPM and tgz are usually precompiled elf binaries. There's plenty more, use google.

I'm not going to go into any further detail, when there's plenty of linux documentation on the web ;) .
 
lethalforce said:
see that's why i didn't understand Linux, does that mean when I'm downloading something and it says "Linux compatible" that it will work with my Linux no matter what version?
Click to expand...

If it isn't compatible right out of the box, then a quick google will likely provide a solution toward getting it to work. One of teh beauties of Open Source.

@ Veurruckte-- I too use Slackware, even as a n00b, but I have had some significant experience with command-line OSs.
 
Dngrsone said:
@ Veurruckte-- I too use Slackware, even as a n00b, but I have had some significant experience with command-line OSs.
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Well, you probally did have more knowledge and/or more intelligence than the normal user :P . I started on red hat for a few weeks, then moved to slackware. I've tried other distros like gentoo (My second favorite), but I always come back to good old slackware :) .

Have you ever given freebsd a try? If you like slackware, you'll probally like freebsd.
 
Veurruckte said:
Have you ever given freebsd a try? If you like slackware, you'll probally like freebsd.
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Not yet... getting ready to download DSL and see if I can play with that at work.
 
DSL as in Damn Small Linux? Yeah thats a nice little livecd.

If you have a machine you can test around with and have the patience you could try gentoo.

The install may seem very hard but the manual guides you step by step. Even for beginners. It can be installed with any linux livecd that has the basic tools (i havent found a livecd that doesn't have em except for mini distro's for routers and stuff).

After you've installed it you can install over 10000 packages with a single command (emerge <packagename>). It will then dl the latest stable version and all it's dependencies and compile them with your pre set optimizations.

Also the irc channels are great!

If you really want to learn how linux works fast, just jump into gentoo. Dot't let it overwelm you, just try again and ask in IRC.
However if you have a skow machine it will take ALOT of time.

If you want to get a feel if linux staying on a livecd/dvd is nice since you can't brake much like that.
 
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