Linux Suse Versus other Linux OS

[chandrika]

I recently installed Linux Suse on an old laptop, just because I got a free installation cd in a magazine.

I actually really like it and the fact that so much software is free is such a bonus. So I am now thinking of installing Linux on my main pc, as a dual boot alongside windows.

There seem to be various versions of Linux, like fedora, Suse etc.

Does anyone have any opinions on which is best and also if you use Linux, what things can the Linux OS do that windows can not.

[kgun]

This http://www.linuxquestions.org/ is the authority on Linux questions.
There is a related http://wiki.linuxquestions.org/wiki/Main_Page

Take your time to find out what you need. Come back and tell us about your choices.

[wige]

Personally, I think Ubuntu is a good choice for desktop installs. It is geared mostly toward that type of use, while most other flavors (SUSE, Red Hat/Fedora, CentOS) are geared more toward use in a server environment. Sound, Flash, Graphics drivers etc. seem to be better tested and supported on Ubuntu as a result.

[NetMassimo]

Linux works, unlike Windows. :mrgreen::twisted:

Seriously, each Linux distribution has its won installer and configuration software. Some can be specialized to work as server, others as desktop though you can adapt them all for any task. My suggestion is that you try at least the most used ones as they have the greates user bases so it's easier to find help if you have any problems so let's say - besides Suse - Ubuntu (Mint is derived from Ubuntu) and Mandriva (PCLinuxOS is derived from Mandriva). Fedora is a sort of Red Hat beta version so it's sometimes controversial but if you want you can try that too. Debian is Ubuntu's parent and loved by sys administrators.

[mikefromvt]

Hi.

I have been a SuSE linux user for almost 10 years. I find many benefits over MS Windows and would list the most prominent as Konsole, the KDE terminal application. With native support for SSH and SFTP, this feature of the OS, in my estimation, cannot be beat. The inclusion of VI Improved, or VIM is also a priceless feature. I have utilized VIM as my primary HTML editor with great results. Finally, the native support for readily available text-manipulation software, principally SED and AWK is fabulous.

I would recommend that, rather than a dual boot, you add VMWare Player from VMWare. Utilizing VMWare Player renders a Windows 7 System a worthy competitor to the latest and greatest MAC OS.

I have found 5 fabulous features:

Konsole, the KDE Terminal Application -- Great tool to utilize SSH and SFTP to communicate with Apache WebServers, etc.
VIM, or VI Improved -- this editor is a fantastic free of charge tool. I use it for all HTML page production and for programming development
Easy Access to Apache and MYSQL -- Use YaST to easily enable a local Apache Web Server and do your own PHP, or PERL or Python Dynamic Web Page coding with native support for MYSQL
BASH or KORN Shell -- I am a heavy user of text manipulation software -- principally SED and AWK. It is very easy to write code with these shells and software tools
Multi Processing OS -- LINUX is the best that I have found at running multiple processes simultaneously.

One recommendation -- run LINUX as a Virtual Machine. I have run LINUX three ways: as a standalone system on dedicated hardware; as a dual boot with Windows, and as a Virtual Machine (VM). VM is the way to go, as far as I am concerned. The problem with dual boot, for me, is that my work often requires me to use Konsole, VIM, etc. SIMULTANEOUSLY with my use of MS Windows 7. Dual booting does not help me accomplish the task of living in both OSs at once. VMWare Player is a freebie that you should check out.

Have Fun!

Mike Blonder
(http://www.bestplainwebpages.com)

[mushroom]

I find that openSUSE is about as good as they get for a general purpose desktop, even for a power user

[gwhite]

There are several linuxes that will install on a USB thumb drive. In many cases this is easier than installing in dual boot mode. This is a good way to try out different flavors before commiting and partitioning.

[cpworld]

Fedora is a general purpose system. It does not concentrate on one specific market. It is suitable both for home users, programmers and the corporate servers. In each case it requires some customization however.
When it comes to Ubuntu Installing new programs is far easier than in Windows.

[alphaomega]

Suse is widely used in Enterprise environments. Very stable and has many advantages to other distros. Which ever you choose, I suggest to install it on separate hard disk while your Windows disk is disconnected. This way you create bootstrap separate from your other OS. When you like to run Linux change the boot disk selection in BIOS and boot whichever OS you like. I have 3 different OS in one of our machines and run the one I choose for particular purpose. There is Ubuntu 10 beta out, which has many features of Apple OS. Check it out too. Fedora is not as slick. Before you jump into Linux world, make sure you understand the file structure. It is based on Unix and for Windows people it makes little sense in the beginning. And if you forget root password get ready to re-install from scratch.

[netman4ttm]

Get SUN/Oracle Virtual Box.
Install on your Windows Machine.
Try as many distro's as you want.
You might even take a look at PC-BSD or Desktop BSD just to get a new perspective.
I like PC/OS and Linux Mint.

[chandrika]

I only just saw Linux Mint...when looking into the various differences I noticed that one major difference is the number of available packages for each distribution. Linux Mint actually has the most at 30000.

8000 for Fedora, Suse has 22000, Ubuntu has 26000.


At the moment I want to have good color management for printing. I already have installed Open Suse and the printing is taking along time to process....I have read that a downside of Suse is speed..I had thought it was just because I had it running on an old machine, but am now looking if one distribution is better than another for color managment and printing.

[chandrika]

I decided to go for Ubuntu, mainly based on number of recommendations. As a beginner I guess having a distribution that alot of people use will be a good thing. My color management requirements I see are handled by Gimp and Gnome has some new color management capabilities.

It is hard to make any kind of comparison or decision not having used Linux before, all of the distributions sound pretty good one way or another. Fedoras upcoming distribution mentions alot of improved color management, automatic printer driver installation and networking support...but I am put off by the lower number of packages available, not sure how important that is, but it was one thing I was going on. The upcoming Ubuntu has a social networking desktop package called Gwibber, that I dont really need, and they dont mention much on color etc, but as it seems to be handled by Gnome and Gimp more, I suppose its not an issue.

I probably will also do as suggested and use a VM, I have one called Proxmox VE 1.5 on a cd that was in the linuxuser mag.

[chandrika]

It is quite good timing too for Ubuntu with the new 10.04 release coming out next week...I shall wait for that to download it.

[kgun]

I found this information today, may be a little late.

Regarding the more and more important http://curl.haxx.se/ platform note the following.

cURL is Included With These Operating Systems:

http://curl.haxx.se/docs/osdistribs.html

If you have other operating systems, you must download and install the library yourself from:

http://curl.haxx.se/download.html

[josh.moh]

Red Hat Linux is the best. It's not free like other flavors of linux :( . You can legally copy it to as many DVD's as you like :D.
Online help/ software are available for free from the official website.

[NetMassimo]

If you want Red Hat Enterprise without paying the subscription to their services you can get CentOS, which is a RHEL clone.