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Re: Choosing a Desktop Linux Distro, Part 1: Getting What You Want
Posted by: Katherine Noyes 2009-10-16 05:58:24
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There are many compelling reasons to switch to Linux. Excellent security and low -- or nonexistent -- costs, to name just two, have already persuaded countless organizations and individuals around the globe to eschew the world of end-user license agreements and opt for the freedom and openness of Linux instead. Yet switching to Linux isn't quite as straightforward as buying a Mac or a Windows PC, because Linux isn't just one thing. It exists in many forms -- called "distributions," or "distros" -- and newcomers must choose the one they'd like to use.
I remember when I chose my distro, and chose again and again... Things were simpler in those days, there were many fewer distros. To get a flavour of distros, check out http://distrowatch.com .
Besides the Live CD, which is an excellent way to try out distros, one should also look at virtual machines for testing distros side by side. One can install VirtualBox from SUN Micro at no cost and try out the user interface of different distros instantly, switching from one to another. This tool allows one to run a favourite application on the old OS while exploring the new. This approach does require modern hardware and some techie smarts but it is superior to dual-booting for some purposes. It is great for practising the art of installing a distro without messing with the underlying OS.
There are several layers of satisfaction a user may explore to decide on a distro. Visual appeal is configurable. Most distros can be given the look and feel of each other, so I would not be too concerned with that. Responsiveness may vary widely depending on the power of the CPU and the speed of hard drives. Ability to drive particular devices may vary for the latest devices. Ability to change window managers and themes may vary. It takes time to choose a distro. Fortunately it can be a very enjoyable sport, akin to dating.
Newbies are often encouraged by advice about the ease of use of a distro. I was. Eventually, however, the user of GNU/Linux will realize that long-term relationships matter and fall in love with one distro. For me, it was Debian, because it made me a master of my PC capable of doing anything I wanted. The large repository of software and the package management system and the social contract won my heart.
Besides the Live CD, which is an excellent way to try out distros, one should also look at virtual machines for testing distros side by side. One can install VirtualBox from SUN Micro at no cost and try out the user interface of different distros instantly, switching from one to another. This tool allows one to run a favourite application on the old OS while exploring the new. This approach does require modern hardware and some techie smarts but it is superior to dual-booting for some purposes. It is great for practising the art of installing a distro without messing with the underlying OS.
There are several layers of satisfaction a user may explore to decide on a distro. Visual appeal is configurable. Most distros can be given the look and feel of each other, so I would not be too concerned with that. Responsiveness may vary widely depending on the power of the CPU and the speed of hard drives. Ability to drive particular devices may vary for the latest devices. Ability to change window managers and themes may vary. It takes time to choose a distro. Fortunately it can be a very enjoyable sport, akin to dating.
Newbies are often encouraged by advice about the ease of use of a distro. I was. Eventually, however, the user of GNU/Linux will realize that long-term relationships matter and fall in love with one distro. For me, it was Debian, because it made me a master of my PC capable of doing anything I wanted. The large repository of software and the package management system and the social contract won my heart.
Good article. I hope to point a bunch of people to this. Having attempted to administer a small network of Windows machines, I quickly learned that pleasing people meant reinstalling Windows every 4 to 6 weeks on one machine or another. Since I moved the family to Linux, I've only had to reinstall that one machine that I use for experimentation. Life with Linux is good!
