What distro do you use and why?

[indie]

I'm sure we all have our favourite distro that we use and recommend to people, but just what is it about that distro that you like?

I've been using Debian for years. It's moved on from what it was in the late 90s and has excellent package management!

Need to install apache? apt-get install apache

Need to install mySQL? apt-get install mysql

It installs the other components that the package needs and sets up a default configuration.

Want to update all your packages to the latest version? apt-get dist-upgrade

What other features do you like that your distro has?

[kingswood]

I've never been very good at getting Debian installed, although when I have done have found apt an excellent package management system.

I installed SuSE 10 OSS last night on my Dell Inspiron 510m, and everything works! It was a fantastic install and I think I might just switch from XP Pro to SuSE on the machine permanently. I have always liked the manuals with SuSE, and the system seems nicely polished. I also happen to like YAST- it's been a really handy configuration tool. The other thing I love is the depth of software that comes with the average SuSE package- just amazing!

*sigh* getting all sentimental :-)

Paul

[DMcCoy]

Pity Novell got hold of suse :/ First distro I used too

I've moved to debian now, but only because I can't use openbsd very easily without vmware tools. OpenBSD is rather daunting to install, but it has no extra rubbish with it and is small and secure.

I can't stand all these huge distros, completely useless for what I want.

I know OpenBSD isn't a distro, but they are all unix like.

[mark]

With my very limited experience I vote ubuntu!

Minimal number of installed apps initially. Like the idea of the update/install system. Gotta do a re-install of the generic x86 version as the amd64 version has problems with flash and a particular java applet I need.

I tried Mandrake almost 10 years ago - didn't like it really, Red Hat on a server since, Slackware, Xandros recently, and live CD's of Damn Small and Linspire - as well as knoppix and Kanotix that I keep in my kit.

[ChrisH]

I use debian as once again the package management is excellent. I have tried various other distros but got completely lost with them especialy the $&£** RPM dependancy crap . I started of doing full installs with full GUI then threw myself in the deep end and installed from a base installation and went from there with the basic command line. Im still no master as my frequent posts is the Linux forum will indicate but I enjoy learning how to use another oh so flexible OS.

[Geoff]

Gentoo. I like the package management and I have slightly unusual hardware (i686 SMP) and need to optimise for it.

[E1uSiV3]

Technically its not linux, but ive only run FreeBSD to any useful extent, so my vote goes to other. From Geoffs reccomendations (and the fact i like the optimisation and customisation gentoo allows) ill be tryign gentoo on my next bit of kit.

btw, due to the nature of gentoo (ie the custom compiles etc) is there a livecd available or do i need to create one? (which sorta defeats the object lol) ive found a wiki on how to create them but cant find anything on an "out the box" livecd. The issue is i have no hardware to currently install gentoo on and i wanted to try it on my workstation at work.

[Geoff]

Thou shalt read the instalation documentation.

http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handboo...ap=2#doc_chap2

The Minimal LiveCD has always served me. If your on dialup you might want to grab the Universal CD which has the stage files on it too.

I'd also recommend a stage 3 install to a first timer. You can always rebuild your system afterwards with further optimisations.

[mark]

There's reference to it here EluSiV3: http://www.gentoo.org/proj/en/releng/installer/

[E1uSiV3]

/me bows down and admits to the mortal sin of not checking the original documents...

damn you google!

[SimpleSi]

Using Ubuntu (it works and comes on 1 CD) at home and at 1 school.

Used RedHat 7.0 in the old days.

Always have Knoppix at hand for rescue work.

regards
Simon

[penguinpowered]

I started way back when (about 4 or 5 years ago) with Redhat 6.0, then moved on to Redhat 7.3, 8.0, 9.0 Fedora 2, Fedora 3, Fedora 4 (very recently), and I've tried out various others (slackware, suse, debian). I've even tried OpenBSD and Darwin though I did have a little trouble getting Darwin installed.
I also regularly use various live cd's for tasks including knoppix, slax, phlak, std, demo-linux, mepis, and some floppy-based distros including, trinux and brutalware.
My PC is currently dual-booting XP & Fedora 4. I've also got a laptop running Ubuntu, a PDA (Sharp Zaurus) running OpenZaurus 1.5.3 (based on th 2.4 kernel), my iPod runs Linux for iPod with the Podzilla interface.

Much love for the penguin!

[Geoff]

Curious that no one is using DeadRat? Not even got an Enterprise Edition server between us?

[penguinpowered]

Curious that no one is using DeadRat? Not even got an Enterprise Edition server between us?

I did look into trialling it at home before I got Fedora 4 but I didn't see any advantages over Fedora (considering that my 'trial version' wouldn't have been eligible for support).

[andy]

I'm sure I read somewhere (tho I may have dreamt it) that it was going to be made available to schools for nowt - anyone else concur with that or am I just making it up (quite likely)

Andy.