7 replies to this topic

[bbqroast]

Ok well I decided we should have a little chat about which Distro you like,
Ok this isn't a fully fledged debate, I don't want a Mac VS PC like thing here!

Ima have to go with Ubuntu!
Firstly because it is literally zero-configuration, I have a Netgear wireless stick for my machine, having installed a ton of drivers for it on my Win machine I thought I was going to have to download some firmware some guy wrote from his basement for it. Really I just plugged it in and instantly it said "Networks are available, click here to connect!".

Secondly because it is fast but not skimpy, I do come from Vista so I probably think even the fully loaded versions boot fast. The fct that it is not skimpy makes it nice to, I hate those OS's that come with nothing what soever, Ubuntu could drop some of the programs it comes with (but hey when I got my Vista the start menu was already scrolling!- I recon somewhere around 50 applications once you open all the folders) but the software center is great!

The only thing I'm going to have to say is the screen size, when the monitor is attached to my windows laptop I can easily put Code::Blocks in it, but with Ubuntu it feels somewhat strange in a kind of mmm... I don't know but it just doesn't feel... Sharp I guess??

To be honest Ih ave little experience with other OS's but if half of them are as good as Ubuntu, LINUX FOR LIFE!

[WingedPanther]

I can't decide between Ubuntu and Xubuntu. My wife is partial to Mint, which is a derivative of Ubuntu.

[Alexander]

I would look at the resolution and refresh rate, I know for sure my old Intel laptop did not have the sharpest image at default with Ubuntu. It could be a few different things I am sure (including updating Intel drivers if applicable)

I would certainly look at Xubuntu (in fact you can install it, and select your desktop manager on login I believe), XFCE is lighter and has a crisper window manager for me.

[fayyazlodhi]

Ubuntu is far better than other distributions in terms of user experience as explained by reasons cited above.

However, messing with the kernel (it doesn't come with kernel sources, and i didn't find them simple to integrate - much worst than Fedora or Free BSD) is better in other OS's.

Not to mention that to use some of the standard software testing suits your only choice is FreeBSD (unless you choose to port them yourself) For e.g. Tahi or IPv6 ready logo certification which is pretty much the norm if you happen to implement your own ipv6, ipsec or any of a whole bunch of tcp/ip protocols.

[bbqroast]

Quote

Not to mention that to use some of the standard software testing suits your only choice is FreeBSD (unless you choose to port them yourself) For e.g. Tahi or IPv6 ready logo certification which is pretty much the norm if you happen to implement your own ipv6, ipsec or any of a whole bunch of tcp/ip protocols.

.. It seemed so compatible!

Quote

I would look at the resolution and refresh rate, I know for sure my old Intel laptop did not have the sharpest image at default with Ubuntu. It could be a few different things I am sure (including updating Intel drivers if applicable)

Could that be why the windows seemed a bit, almost kinda child friendly in Ubuntu?? (I was using a somewhat old monitor- not a big box but about 4 cm deep)
If I was to get a proper PC for programming would you recommend Ubuntu??

[gregwarner]

I see a lot of liking for Ubuntu, and it is a good distro, but I myself do not have a personal preference for it.

Ubuntu is built from Debian Sid (unstable), and therefore, not my personal preference for using in production environments. True, Ubuntu has excellent support, but the primary reason for using Linux in my work is so I can support it myself, and with it being built on Debian Sid, I can't be sure I'll be able to solve any and all problems that might arise. For that reason, my distro of choice is always Debian stable (Squeeze at the time of writing this).

[Alexander]

bbqroast said:

Could that be why the windows seemed a bit, almost kinda child friendly in Ubuntu??

There are various window settings that should be fairly easy to access, this is not the default for every distribution, I do not recall mine being like that (you may wish to however try XFCE as I have mentioned)

Quote

If I was to get a proper PC for programming would you recommend Ubuntu??

Ubuntu should be more than fine, especially as Debian usually gets their packages first (for example an IDE may not have a reliable Gentoo or Mandriva package, however you can freely use .deb for Ubuntu)

Debian may be a bit more stable however you will not require any of that stability unless you really are doing a lot (production for example although I use it)

[bbqroast]

I also like the software thingy, I spent ages trying to make a Code::Blocks nightly build (seing as it doesn't have the Ubuntu package on the site) but ended up just typing it into the software center, 10 seconds later ready (YAY! The local archives give me liek 1 megabit a second! Pretty good for a island)