Discussion Forums > Technology
Ubuntu, Linux...all confusion.
ReyBrujo:
I have been using Linux for over 10 years by now (was forced to install it on the second year at University), and after having tested over 100 distros/versions through time, Ubuntu is the friendliest one. I have been using it fulltime for 5 years now (since 5.04, previously I had dual booting), and the only one that came close was the old Mandrake (I ended up choosing Ubuntu because it detected and configured my sound card whereas Mandrake couldn't do it, even though visually was more appealing with KDE).
All Linux distros have wireless problems due lack of open source drivers, so if you are on notebook or use wireless, better to stick with Windows unless you want to tinker around. And the lack of games and friendly media editing tools is visible, so if you are needing those, you should probably stay in Windows. Dual booting is nice to test it if you are a newbie, but after a while, you need to choose whether switch over or remove it from your system.
Sometimes thing break under Ubuntu, I won't deny. For example, to upgrade to 9.10 I had to reboot twice since the first time most applications crashed when opened. But I have tried upgrading others (Fedora, I am looking at you) that mess all your system with broken dependencies everywhere, so much I had to fully reinstall. And unless you are a developer, Debian isn't useful (update cycles are extremely slow, usually year and half or higher). Unless you want to be Gentoo-ish and download the packages yourself, trying to keep your system up to date but hoping not to break dependencies when replacing libraries, don't use it.
Back when I installed my first Linux (Slackware 2 if I recall correctly) I had to use xf86config and manually set my monitor's vertical and horizontal refresh :P Linux advanced a lot, but there are still visible problems.
sdedalus83:
--- Quote from: ReyBrujo on November 01, 2009, 09:40:08 PM ---All Linux distros have wireless problems due lack of open source drivers, so if you are on notebook or use wireless, better to stick with Windows unless you want to tinker around.
--- End quote ---
While you might find the occasional laptop with an odd configuration, most wireless network cards and 3G modems now work without any tweaking or driver installations, a far cry from Windows XP and Vista.
fohfoh:
--- Quote from: sdedalus83 on November 01, 2009, 09:59:36 PM ---
--- Quote from: ReyBrujo on November 01, 2009, 09:40:08 PM ---All Linux distros have wireless problems due lack of open source drivers, so if you are on notebook or use wireless, better to stick with Windows unless you want to tinker around.
--- End quote ---
While you might find the occasional laptop with an odd configuration, most wireless network cards and 3G modems now work without any tweaking or driver installations, a far cry from Windows XP and Vista.
--- End quote ---
Ubuntu version 6 had issues with that. Wifi worked out of the box, but then updates would break it.
But after trying 8 and 9, I can safely say that 99% of the time, wifi will work. It's the most important component because it's internet and that part will aid you to fix almost any troubles you can find.
But yes, wifi isn't much of an issue any more.
Ubuntu is indeed a little more friendly than most others. So if you have questions frequently, I'd suggest jumping there to get your feet wet before trying other distros.
Mikan:
Im going to give a 1 week run of ubuntu and 1 week run of MINT on my desktops (old ones) theyre the same model, different CPU's, so i can atleast tell performance difference (Only difference is athlon 2.8ghz > pent4 2.66 ghz ) I love customizing my pc and the manuals I dont mind! :) the more you know the better.
Xiong Chiamiov:
--- Quote from: Mikan on November 02, 2009, 05:08:17 AM ---Im going to give a 1 week run of ubuntu and 1 week run of MINT on my desktops (old ones) theyre the same model, different CPU's, so i can atleast tell performance difference (Only difference is athlon 2.8ghz > pent4 2.66 ghz ) I love customizing my pc and the manuals I dont mind! :) the more you know the better.
--- End quote ---
If you're really not afraid of man pages and want more customization, then you'll eventually be heading towards Arch, Slackware, Gentoo, Sourcemage, one of the BSDs, or the like. But one step at a time, young one.
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