which GNU/Linux distro to choose?!

[arunmib]

Hi all,
I have a unique problem...I don't know which distro to choose from? I have tried the following,

1. Redhat first, Since I was a kid in computers at that time, got vexed and dropped it.
2. Used Suse for some time in official works. Used versions 9.3 and then 10.2 for some time on my personal laptop.
3. Experimented with Debian version 3 and 4. Liked this very much
4. Finally tried Freespire and live CD of Ubuntu....

Now, I m totally confused as to which distro to use on the longer run :confused:. I like each distro and certainly interested in a feature in each distro....Probl em for me is the overwhelming choices available....:? ??:
Some suggestions ppl..so that I can start hanging on with one....

[weaknessforcats]

Generally, we don't make recommendations . However, if you ever get stuck with a programming issue, then we can help.


Please read the posting guidelines.

[sicarie]

One of the cool things about the *Nix distros is that most of the underlying architecture is the same, and you have access to (most) of the code that runs and creates your programs. I would make a list of all the specific programs you want, and then look through the repositories of each distro, and see which one has the most. The rest you can download manually and configure to work with your system (installing and compiling from source). This is also an awesome way to learn more about Linux and how to work with it (and get it to work ;).

Aside of the programs you liked on each of them, which distro did you find the most easy to use? (Probably not RH, as you dropped that..., but of the others...)

[arunmib]

thanks for the suggestion sicarie....
i think i will mostly settle with Debian...but ppl. suggest to try Ubuntu for some more time. I also found this suggestion valid, cause there is a new release of Ubuntu for every 6 months. it's also based on Debian (my fav. except the Text based installer when setting up) so can use it's software packages.....Le ts see.....

I found this following link of some interest to me,

http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resou rce=major

thought will serve as directive or useful to some one else also.....

Hey, weaknessforcats or some other moderator, is it an offense in TSDN if do a post like this??!! I posted this thread in Cafe/Lounge, but it was moved to Linux/Unix/BSD.....

[sicarie]

... or some other moderator, is it an offense in TSDN if do a post like this??!! I posted this thread in Cafe/Lounge, but it was moved to Linux/Unix/BSD.....

Well, it was moved because it was in the wrong forum. As this deals specifically with Linux, this is the right place for it. Other than that, as weaknessforcats says, we can't tell you which one you *should* like. And also, especially with Linux, personal preference accounts for 99% of recommendations , that means it's inconsistent and will vary between people. It's not an offense, but you're looking for someone to tell you the "best" way, and we can't do that because only you can decide which way works best for you.

Glad my suggestions helped (I'm a Debian person myself ;), please post again if you get stuck!

[drhowarddrfine]

One thing you should look into, also, is FreeBSD. Many of the same programs run there, including Gnome and KDE desktops, and there isn't any confusion as to which 'distro' to run since there is only one. Yes, there is NetBSD and OpenBSD but, essentially they're all the same. Plus, FreeBSD is a direct descendant of Unix.

[arunmib]

thanks sicarie for making weaknessforcats 's point clear :-) . Sure this forum is where I mostly post if I am stuck....

@drhowarddrfine - I actually didn't try FreeBSD, but I tried PCBSD and DesktopBSD some time back. One, I was not even able to install in my laptop and with other there were problems. So, i just dropped them.....

[drhowarddrfine]

That's interesting. PC-BSD is very good but I don't know much about DesktopBSD. Which laptop? PC-BSD is FreeBSD but set up like Ubuntu is. I run FreeBSD on two laptops myself.

[arunmib]

I am not sure why or how there where problems? I was pretty impatient during that time (so obviously less interested too) and hence dropped the idea. May be I can try the newer versions now....