Linux Distros Which is the Best (IYO)

[Digital Guerrilla]

I just wanted to know what any of your guys thought. I recently installed Suse 10.1 and so far I am enjoying (I have owned the install disk for several months), but I am wanting to try and compare other Linux versions also. Any suggestions and why, remember this just your opinion I am not looking for an all knowing heaven or hell decision.

[Andrew]

Ubuntu. It is the most popular distribution. Extremely easy to use. It has KDE, Gnome (default), and XFCE versions.

They release a new version every 6 months. The next new version will be released in late October. So it is always up to date. Easy update manager.

http://www.ubuntu.com/

Use the forums if you have any questions at all. With 368,000 forum members it shows how involved people are with the forums.

http://ubuntuforums.org/

Also http://distrowatch.com/ to keep up to date with what distributions have been updated.

The only linux OS I have used is ubuntu, but I have tested DSL (for old/slow computers).

EDIT:

Here is the Ubuntu thread I made for the last release. With the last release they seem to got 100,000 new forum members. In fact in the thread I just linked, shortly before the previous release there were 274,607 forum users on April 18, 2007. They are now at 368,000, so by the next release (in late october) 100,000+ new users will have joined the forums in 6 months. It also helped that dell.com is now selling ubuntu installed computers/laptops. I also think that lenevo(?) is goign to be selling ubuntu installed computers. Ubuntu has no affiliation with Microsoft which is good.

[gryphon]

I used to say RedHat, although they have somehow lost their charmes for me.

The ones I uses at the moment are NLD (Novell Linux Desktop, which in similar to SuSe with a few neat networking extras and a nice 3D desktop), OpenSolaris and still RedHat from time to time.

I never got really found of Ubuntu but then what's the difference. Most people don't really use the different aspects of a distro anyway. :)

[Digital Guerrilla]

@Andrew

I read your thread about Ubuntu and actually that is why I decided to install Suse 10.1 before I was using Mandrake 7.0 (?). I was thinking of using Ubuntu but Suse is better suited to my taste. I tried DSL first on a usb drive and liked the minimal use it required and the fact you could run it and windows at the same time. I might still use Ubuntu.

@Gryphon

What are the extras that Novell Linux Desktop has in the networking deptment, the networking is the reason I installed Suse 10.1. Is there anything that I might be missing or should know about the extras? 

[gryphon]

The last version of NLD has both LDAP, eDirectory and AD integration. Which means you can use the Linux client to loginto almost any type of domain / corporate network without much extra configuration after the installation.

(That's what I like about it anyway.)

And the installation has Novell client software preinstalled. Which is a nice extra. (not really that important just nice.)

[Digital Guerrilla]

Ok remember I am still a novice at this Linux OS but I have tried everything to get my DVD player to install and work. Any suggestions?

[Andrew]

You mean you want to play DVDs in a linux distro?

For ubuntu, there are some things you need to install.

If you install VLC media player it should work fine. If you want it to work with other media programs, you need to add a repository for the codecs, then install them.

Enabling Multimedia (HOW-TO) should help you out.

What linux distro are you using? If you go to the linux distro forum and search for "dvd playback" or something there should be lots of threads about it.

[Digital Guerrilla]

Actually Andrew I am using suse 10.1 (I know there are updates 10.2 and 10.3). I have thought of using <b>VLC</b> but everytime I have tried to install it I have been unsuccessful. I am embarrassed to say that it asks me for my "root password" before the installation and I do not remember setting one up i is this the reason I can not install the program or any other programs for that matter? I know the answer is yes so what do I need to do about my "root password"?

[Andrew]

Yes. Knowing your root password is very very important. I am pretty sure you need it to install software that is not included in your linux distro repository.

For me in ubuntu to change something as simple as network settings I have to input my root password. Although I may be running as admin or something.

I'm a linux noob :)

When you are trying to install VLC are you going to the vlc website and downloading it or is there a suse repository that has lots of software in it (VLC may not be in it since it is illegal to use in the USA)?

I presume you are doing this method? I'm pretty sure in Ubuntu doing something like that would ask for your password, so in suse it should as well.

You may want to try to remember what your password is.  :-

EDIT:

http://en.opensuse.org/Additional_YaST_Package_Repositories#VLC_VideoLan_Client

Says you need your root password. So you probably need your password to install stuff.

[Digital Guerrilla]

I corrected my problem Andrew thanks for the advice. I remembered my root password now I will be able to install VLC hopefully.