Linux Distros

[Low_VX_Taxi]

I have been running Windows Vista on my Laptop (old Toshiba Satellite L300) as it came pre installed, was getting a bit tired of how bloated and slow it was but cant justify putting Windows 7 on it (mainly use it for the net and word processing/ spreadsheets as without a dedicated graphics card its useless for much else).

I decided to dual boot Vista with Linux Mint 11 (seemed pretty stable with a nice GUI and was recommended for laptops).

I am very impressed so far! I had used Redhat about seven- eight years ago but found it a bit boring getting all the hardware to function properly as there was pretty much no driver support at the time. Mint 11 was fantastic and all my hardware was supported straight out of "the box" no stuffing around.....

Its so stable and fast! I am also really impressed with the GUI, I had expected it to be far more bland and ugly but its pretty easy on the eye.

I am also pretty impressed by the software now available free with most linux Distros, (Libreoffice is really quite impressive and compatible with most formats even Docx! Banshee seems fairly good and GIMP image editor is supposed to be almost as good as photoshop).

I am going to run it for a few weeks but I really cant see myself going back to running the bloated slow and unstable windows OS on my laptop now, I will keep running Windows 7 on my desktop asI mainly use that for gaming though I might change that after I play around with "Wine" and see if its capable enough....

Anyways enough of my ravings, I was wondering if anyone else is/has delved into the world or Linux or any other alternative OS?

[NV-MY-VT]

I run Ubuntu 11.4 on most of my home computers, which is not too dissimilar to MINT in the fact they are both debian builds and infact, MINT is based on Ubuntu.

I also run Ubuntu server 10.10 LTS for my DNS cache/DHCP box downstairs, which I use and run more for practice than anything else. It often finds itself hacked to pieces and not working, so I just blow it away and start again.

I also run some fedora boxes at work here and there, a squid proxy, that sort of mumbo jumbo.

I also have XenCentre, if that counts too? It's kind of a linux thing...


ALSO, aside from linux, look into an experimental OS called Haiku. Worthwhile, I ran it on a few devices here and there to give it a shot. It's in it's early stages, but I can see it going places.

[Low_VX_Taxi]

I run Ubuntu 11.4 on most of my home computers, which is not too dissimilar to MINT in the fact they are both debian builds and infact, MINT is based on Ubuntu.

I also run Ubuntu server 10.10 LTS for my DNS cache/DHCP box downstairs, which I use and run more for practice than anything else. It often finds itself hacked to pieces and not working, so I just blow it away and start again.

I also run some fedora boxes at work here and there, a squid proxy, that sort of mumbo jumbo.

I also have XenCentre, if that counts too? It's kind of a linux thing...


ALSO, aside from linux, look into an experimental OS called Haiku. Worthwhile, I ran it on a few devices here and there to give it a shot. It's in it's early stages, but I can see it going places.

I kinda choose Mint as it was based on Ubuntu (so lots of good software development/support) but was kind of "usable" straight out of the box without having to do anything (I had only used really old distros where everything had to be done through the terminal, no GUI fronts and didnt want to stuff around in the terminal for ages trying to get wireless or bluetooth to work etc and from my limited research Mint seemed the quickest to get "up and running" and easy to use [with room to grow]).

Still been playing around with it, mostly just researching applets and programs (using a gnome desktop so fair bit available) and customising it the way I want it.

It looks pretty similar to a MS set-up but I guess I have just become to used to it now its hard to change lol. Really enjoying the fact that EVERYTHING can be changed to the way YOU want, not just pretty coloured themes or effects, haven't changed anything major but still nice to change the little things that bug you to the way you want it

Still stable (no system hangs or freezes even though I have been playing around with nearly everything lol), still fast and very impressed by the automated updates.... I will give it a few more days but I really cant see any reason to go BACK to MS Windows Vista any more.......

Would have thought more people would be running other operating systems....... Guess there is a reason why Microsoft can charge $150 for their OS......

[NV-MY-VT]

Ubuntu now days comes working out of the box too, just to let you know.

By default it comes with Gnome.

[Low_VX_Taxi]

Ubuntu now days comes working out of the box too, just to let you know.

By default it comes with Gnome.

I was pretty clueless when I chose Mint, now I am a bit better...... informed..... I see most of the modern distros are pretty easy to use with good GUI front ends.

Is there any advantages of Ubuntu over Mint? From what I saw everyone seems to be heavily opinionated either way. Just wondering if its worth switching really....

[NV-MY-VT]

Not really. It's like... They are both the same OS basically, run most of the same programs.

It's like people arguing between Commodores and Falcons. Realistically, same shit, different shovel. Except in this case its even the same god damn shover, being Debian.