Favourite Lesser-Known GNU/Linux Distribution

[RobertX]

I've been using Linux Mint for the last seven years and I am currently considering a switch to another GNU/Linux distribution.

What I'm considering is a distribution that's not a Mint, Ubuntu, Fedora, or anyone that's on the top of a "best distro" list.

I'm open to any suggestions. They can be a derivative, just not the aforementioned ones in the flesh.

Thank you.

[mohnishG]

I've been using Linux Mint for the last seven years and I am currently considering a switch to another GNU/Linux distribution.

What I'm considering is a distribution that's not a Mint, Ubuntu, Fedora, or anyone that's on the top of a "best distro" list.

I'm open to any suggestions. They can be a derivative, just not the aforementioned ones in the flesh.

Thank you.

You should definitely try gentoo, the way that it is installed is different from other distros, it takes some effort, but the end result is really good.

[RobertX]

Wow, I've never considered the possibility that my threads can be answered in the far future, but this counts!

Can you tell us much more about Gentoo, how it's conceived, and how it works?

Thanks for the reply, and have a safe and happy holiday!

Also, I still plan on using Mint since nothing was wrong with it all this time, but perhaps I can put Gentoo as its virtual machine underling.

[waregim]

From what I recall Gentoo is a *compiled* system, similar to Arch. Packages are compiled from a repo of source code.

Probably the *best* way to build a system, but may be a bit slow, and impractical on a system like mine with around 30,000 packages.

My favorite 'alternate' system is Magaeia, a RedHat derivative, but very well designed.

[Goldengirl52]

From what I recall Gentoo is a *compiled* system, similar to Arch. Packages are compiled from a repo of source code.

Probably the *best* way to build a system, but may be a bit slow, and impractical on a system like mine with around 30,000 packages.

My favorite 'alternate' system is Magaeia, a RedHat derivative, but very well designed.

I've got some other irons in the fire, but have wanted to try Linux for awhile now.  Happened to run across it again today, also found the way to "take it for a trial run" using a Live USB here.  I'm also working at learning how to enter script (not a clue how to create my own at this point) but Linux sounds good so far, especially would love to break away from Microsoft.  I don't know, I love trying new things, and Linux sounds more like "I'd own it" sort of OS So I looked to see if there were some Linux fans, and here you are.  I'm trying to pick a good system, for a beginner maybe??  Then I'll start trying it out without messing with my present os (so the article says).  Feedback welcome and a suggestion on which "distribution".  I hope no one says try them one at a time because there are soooo many   Maybe that a really good way though since I learn a lot more by doing/trying out.  But like with this script stuff, I need a class!!

[Moe]

If you are already on Windows or Mac, get Virtual Box and then start with one of the bigger ones like Debian or Ubuntu. Then, once you find what features you particularly like, you can move into the more niche distros. Using Virtual Box, you can create as many images as you have disk space for, and you can compare them by running as many side by side as your system will allow.

[waregim]

For a beginner experimenting with multimedia, I would recommend Mint. Its pretty much designed for multimedia as well as ease of use.

Mint comes in two 'flavors' - the more popular Ubuntu Mint, the most basic version with the largest user base and online hekp forums. Debian Mint is more complex, and with a repository system incompatinle with Ubuntus.

However, Ubuntu has a tendency to use more up to date versions of software. But it is more corporate oriented.

Debian is more of a 'traditional' linux, though with exceptions (many unpleasant).

On nearly every modern Linux everything will work fine, until you get under the hood.

For neophytes Ubuntu or straight Mint might be better, though it might try to sell you solutions freely available on Debian or LMDE4 Debbie(Mint).

But... Linux sucks with its 'upgrade' cycles, which makes migration to the upgrades difficult, especially for large installs.
Backwards compatibility is not a biggie there.

Personally I prefer Debian Testing which is always in 'update mode' , and more easily hackable than the consumer oriented versions. Not recommended for beginners, though, because if something does not work right , ya got a fight on yer hands - as well as less support for Debian these days.

Also: Most major linux software comes in Redhat (rpm), Debian(deb) with some Ubuntu debs mixed in. And Source (tgz) for other distributions. Source reqquires basic knowledge of a Compiler.

Redhat versions are often very nice (Magaeia) but are usually a bit behind the times with software versions and variety.

VirtualBox can be a hassle to set up unless newer versions have changed. Probably better running VMWare from Windows, or like I do, just burn LiveDVDs for when needed for things like system repairs, or running sensitive apps.

[Moe]

VirtualBox can be a hassle to set up unless newer versions have changed. Probably better running VMWare from Windows, or like I do, just burn LiveDVDs for when needed for things like system repairs, or running sensitive apps.

LiveDVDs are great if you have a DVD burner and don't mind rebooting every time you want to try a different version. They are by far the easiest way to try something out. Less hassle than setting up a VM.

I do think setting up VMs is worth the trouble though. Enough so that if doing so is too much of a hassle, tinkering with Linux isn't going to be much fun either.


I've never had any issues with Virtual Box. It isn't exactly user friendly, and it isn't a great performer, but it is free. VMWare is not. Purchasing VMWare just to try out Linux doesn't make a lot of sense unless you have the spare cash, and installing a pirated version isn't going to be easier than installing Virtual Box.

[RobertX]

Since my last post on this thread, I've been experimenting with old GNU/Linux distros, namely Mandrake and pre-enterprise Redhat.

In addition, now, with all due apologies to the thread and its topic, I have also delved into the black arts of BSD.

And I did them all on Virtualbox. I am sorry to say that a lot of them, if not the majority, don't work well. For some, I had to tell Virtualbox to emulate the IDE controller because OSs like Red Hat Linux doesn' like SATA.

By the way, a big shout-out to my boys at www.winworldpc.com for uploading old versions of famous (and some not-too-famous) operating systems. They even have Windows Beta versions like Neptune and Chicage. Try them sometime.

[waregim]

Try Magaiea. Its a RH derivative and it works fine with my SATA drives on VirtualBox. Its fun using VB to explore, but a bloody hassle to set the thing up for real usage, as even internet and hardware access are a PITA. As well as limited video ram.