Thread: Looking for a new distro (Linux) to use, any suggestions?

  1. #1
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    Looking for a new distro (Linux) to use, any suggestions?

    I've been using linux for a while, I've already used:
    *Slackware
    *Debian
    *Conectiva
    *Ubuntu -> Wich is my current distro

    Anyone has a distro to suggest? I'm wondering about installing Gentoo but some people said me it wasn't safe because of root privileges given for sites while you are using emerge. I'm mostly looking for a distro wich is as light as possible (without tons of applications and features I will never use), has a good stability, easy to mantain, but no all automatic system that doesn't allow me to see what is going on.
    So if someone could be kind and give me some direction I would be very happy. by the way I dont want to start a flamme war about wich distro is the best I just looking for reports of your experience with different distros and its strong and weak aspects.

  2. #2
    ~viaxd() viaxd's Avatar
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    you should definately try Gentoo, it's simply great. I too tried a lot of distros before Gentoo, but now i don't want anything else, i emerge anything i want, and there are only thing i need in my system. You get everything up to date and you don't have to spend the whole day configuring it.
    Of course, you will spend some time installing it, it's not that fast as with other distros, and emerging large apps is a pain (KDE takes 24+ hours to compile on most systems), but after that it will be closer to perfection than anything you've ever seen.
    :wq

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    Software Developer jverkoey's Avatar
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    I just installed Fedora 3 and I like it a lot...and would use it if it weren't for the fact that it doesn't allow me to change the resolution. I've done research on this and it seems quite a few people have trouble getting their resolution any higher than 800x600.

    Other than that it's pretty nice I suppose....

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    Quote Originally Posted by viaxd
    you should definately try Gentoo, it's simply great. I too tried a lot of distros before Gentoo, but now i don't want anything else, i emerge anything i want, and there are only thing i need in my system. You get everything up to date and you don't have to spend the whole day configuring it.
    Of course, you will spend some time installing it, it's not that fast as with other distros, and emerging large apps is a pain (KDE takes 24+ hours to compile on most systems), but after that it will be closer to perfection than anything you've ever seen.
    Can I install something like IceWM and compile KDE on background?

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    Registered User linuxdude's Avatar
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    yeah

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    Crazy Fool Perspective's Avatar
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    >>I've done research on this and it seems quite a few people have trouble getting their resolution any higher than 800x600.

    i run core 3 at 1400x1050. It might be because it couldnt detect your moniter type. Did you try checking it in the System Settings app?

    Apps -> System Settings -> Display -> Hardware -> Configure.

  7. #7
    essence of digital xddxogm3's Avatar
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    have you tried freebsd yet?
    I had difficulties configuring it at first on my older pc, but when I put it on my new laptop.
    It was smoking fast.
    I just formated a multi-boot (xp home and freebsd).
    I like it a lot.
    I would try it if you can.
    I would also recommend fedora (redhat has had many years of work on the linux os).
    "Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence;
    supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting."
    Art of War Sun Tzu

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    unleashed alphaoide's Avatar
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    >>I've done research on this and it seems quite a few people have trouble getting their resolution any higher than 800x600.
    What I heard is that after you pick your resolution during the installation process, you couldn't pick higher resolution after. The highest would be the one you picked the first time.
    Anyway, there's a config file to fix it but I have no clue which one.
    source: compsci textbooks, cboard.cprogramming.com, world wide web, common sense

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    Quote Originally Posted by alphaoide
    >>I've done research on this and it seems quite a few people have trouble getting their resolution any higher than 800x600.
    What I heard is that after you pick your resolution during the installation process, you couldn't pick higher resolution after. The highest would be the one you picked the first time.
    Anyway, there's a config file to fix it but I have no clue which one.
    Maybe XF86Config?
    Well Ive already burnt gentoo disc. I will give it a try I'm just worried about emerging giving root previlegies for web sites.

  10. #10
    Refugee face_master's Avatar
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    whats wrong with Ubuntu? Thats what I use on my Linux box

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    Quote Originally Posted by face_master
    whats wrong with Ubuntu? Thats what I use on my Linux box
    There is nothing wrong with Ubuntu, it is a very nice a clean distro. Fast and simple. The only thing is that I want to try out new concepts and ideias. By the way, is emerge safe?

  12. #12
    ~viaxd() viaxd's Avatar
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    i wouldn't worry about giving emerge root, i've never heard anyone have a problem with it. Gentoo's portage is secure, i would say.
    :wq

  13. #13
    Crazy Fool Perspective's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by alphaoide
    >>I've done research on this and it seems quite a few people have trouble getting their resolution any higher than 800x600.
    What I heard is that after you pick your resolution during the installation process, you couldn't pick higher resolution after. The highest would be the one you picked the first time.
    Anyway, there's a config file to fix it but I have no clue which one.
    thats not true, my install ran at 800x600 and im now running it at 1400x1050

  14. #14
    Registered User linuxdude's Avatar
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    about emerge. The only thing that might get you is the etc-update after some emerges. If you don't pay attention to what it is asking you if might override a config file you want to keep, but I highly recommend it. Emerge is fast, simple, and perfect.

  15. #15
    junior member mix0matt's Avatar
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    if i'm going to run a linux distro on my workstation, i'm running gentoo. no doubt about it, but gentoo is still a relatively new distrobution and unstable in a lot of ways. it's only going to get better, but be prepared for some bumps in the road. you're going to fall in love with portage. Coming from a debian background, which i still love, i was very impressed with portage and the flexibility it offers the administrator.

    On the other hand portage is LARGELY based on the ports system from FreeBSD. If you want the flexibility of portage, but want a stable and secure operating environment. FreeBSD is where you find it.
    THIS IS NOT JUST A CHRONICLING OF THINGS WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST BUT OUR RISE TO POWER.

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