Preserved Topic: Which Linux distro/GUI do you use? (Page 1 of 1)

I'm putting together 2 Linux boxes in the near future one here at work for code development and one at home that will be my server and code sandbox.


Right now I am leaning towards Mandrake and KDE but I'm taking suggestions

thanks!



Walking the Earth like Kane

RedHat / KDE2 definitively...

I have no favorites because I haven't done the Linux thing yet, but I've been looking into it. The few recommendations I have gotten have been for Mandrake though, although I believe they were touting it for ease of use.

Now if someone would be kind enough to explain what KDE is, I'd be greatful.

- Resolutions, Of All My Fruitless Searches -

The K Desktop Environment - http://www.kde.org/

yeah the 2 big desktop GUI's are KDE and gnome






:[ Computers let you make more mistakes faster than any other
invention in human history, with the possible exceptions of
handguns and tequila. ]:

Thanks

Love your new quote Bitdamaged.

- Resolutions, Of All My Fruitless Searches -

mr.maX

As long as I'm making a trip to CompUSA for a hard drive, I think I'll pick up a version of Linux to install now that I've partitioned my hard drive.

I know you suggested Red Hat earlier and the only reason I'm still considering Mandrake is because i've read in a few places that is easier for Linux newbies. Taking this into account, can you help me make an educated choice between;

This one (Mandrake)

or

This one (Red Hat)

Thanks

- Resolutions, Of All My Fruitless Searches -

You should get RedHat, because it is definitively the most widely used commercial Linux distribution and therefore you'll get the best support. Another thing is that you're from USA and RedHat is from USA, while MandrakeSoft is from Europe (France) - this is statement extends what I have said about support. Now, regarding ease of use. Mandrake Linux has very good installation program and that's the strongest opinion why it is "best for newbies". But, don't think that RedHat's installation program is worse. It is very good (even better) and I personally liked it more than Mandrake's. Also, RedHat Deluxe Workstation comes with 4 CDs (compared to 3 CDs that come with Mandrake), which means that you get more software. Besides that you can always download the latest RPMs from RedHat's "RawHide" server (and don't forget the rpmfind.net). Oh, and one more thing, Mandrake Linux (as well as most other commercial Linux distributions) was based on RedHat (this just proves that RedHat has been present on the market for the longest period). And last thing that I'll say is that the only positive side of Mandrake Linux is that they decided to compile everything with 586 extensions, while RedHat still compiles everything with 386 extensions only, but this doesn't mean that you can't compile software with 586 & 686 extensions under RedHat if you want.

For detailed specification what you get with RedHat Deluxe Workstation take a look at this page: http://www.redhat.com/products/software/linux/7-1_deluxe.html

Thanks mr.maX

Red Hat it is!

- Resolutions, Of All My Fruitless Searches -

Bit, Butcher: have you guys done anything yet? I'm considering the same thig myself and was wondering how/if things are going.

Also, does it make much of a difference which version of Redhat you're running if you're planning on using it as a web server? Red Hat Linux 7.1... Red Hat Deluxe Workstation... Red Hat Professional Server... ?

Jason

There's no big difference. You'll be fine even with 2CD distribution that can be downloaded from RedHat's FTP server and a lot of mirrors from all around the world...

I went with Mandrake which so far is great. But I'm giving RedHat a try at home (cheap guy I am I'm just using the downloaded version) I'll let you know how it goes.

The one problem I've had with Mandrake so far is getting the sound to work. I've got others here at work with the same problem.

Definately KDE for the gui if (like me) you are not really looking for support I'm not really convinced there is going to be a big difference outside of the install. Mandrake has all I really need in Linux distro since I don't use it for my day to day desktop.

BTW Max there are actually 4 ISO's (CD's) you can download with RedHat. I have no idea what's on them yet I got 3 last night but one failed so it's downloading while I'm at work. (Anyone else notice you can't get better than about 30K per sec when downloading these distro's?). I'll install tonight and update ya'll



:[ Computers let you make more mistakes faster than any other invention in human history, with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila. ]:

[This message has been edited by bitdamaged (edited 08-21-2001).]

freeBSD or Solaris

Bitdamaged, I forgot about PowerTools CD and CD with source RPMs...

Regarding download speed, you should have used one of the mirrors: http://www.redhat.com/download/mirror.html

JK

I bought the Redhat deluxe workstation. I haven't installed it yet because I'm trying to finish up a few other things before I get into something that I assume is going to have a little bit of a learning curve to it. Hopefully I will get to the install in the next day or two and I'll come back here and let you know how it went.

I've had a little time to look at what Bit threw out there and what maX was expounding on and I dig it! I wish I could fiddle with it more, maybe in a day or two!

Meanwhile, can anyone recommend a good PHP book? Not a reference, not ready for that yet, a "for dummies" is about the level I'm at something to get me going. I'm pretty much a scripting novice, any type, but we all knew that ; )

Jason

Here's the thing I have 2 one is the "Teach yourself PHP4 in 24 hours" series.

Not to great. I've gotten those before and never been impressed.

The other one I have that I really like isMySQL/PHP database applications Sounds more difficult than it is. I like the approach by taking it from the application side. Also it covers MySQL with PHP The two really go hand in hand so I'd definately get a book that covers both. Start with a simple guestbook and go from there.

Finally I''m installing RedHat at home here. The Mandrake install is definately easier. And it installed my video card and monitor correctly right off the bat where I had to settle at a 800x600 resolution with RedHat (I'm rebuilding this box so I don't have to use the POS video card on the mother board so I'll mess with it then). But judging by the length of time the install is taking this will be much more comprehensive.



:[ Computers let you make more mistakes faster than any other invention in human history, with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila. ]:

Bitdamaged

Please keep us posted on that Redhat install. I'm going with mine today or tomorrow, so I'd love to hear of any problems/glitches you come across (although I hope you have none ).

JK

I found PHP Fast & Easy Web Development a great beginers book, but defineitely beginner level. It's in a tutorial style and teaches you a lot of basics like, file manipulation, email, using PHP w/MySQL to create a database and insert and retrieve data from it. It also covers sessions and cookies, and finishes by taking you through coding a complete contact management system.

That said, it also spends time covering basic programming like loops and if else statements, and variables and operators. So with all the working knowledge you have already, you may want something a little more advanced.

The book I'm about half way through now that is defineitely the next level up PHP and MySQL Web Development. I am thrilled with the book. It's a big sucker, but theres not much PHP related that they don't seem to cover, and explain well. I will say however, with my limited knowledge of any kind of programming, (PHP is the first language I'm really learning) if this was the first book that I read on the subject, I would have been lost. With your experience in Web development, this may be a good place for you to start.

BTW, most of the books I buy are cheaper at Bookpool.com. I gave you the Amazon links because they have more customer reviews.

Hope this helps

I guess I'm the only person who likes slackware and enlightenment.

Redhat, KDE and gnome all seem to bloated to me.

My new server I've building from scratch( http://www.linuxfromscratch.com ).

I've bought the S.u.S.E Professional edition. 7 CD and/or one DVD.
Very easy installation. No problems so far.



[This message has been edited by u-neek (edited 08-25-2001).]