Posted on 08/23/2013 6:10:14 AM PDT by ShadowAce
There are literally hundreds of Linux desktop distributions. Here's how to find one that's right for you. On a regular basis I use five different Linux different distributions. Over the decades, I've used pretty every much every major Linux distribution out there... and I haven't even touched more than 10% of all available Linux distributions.
If I, who've made something of a career of tracking Linux, can't keep up with all the distros how can you?
Honestly, you can't. No one can.
So how can you find the right Linux for you? This handy, dandy guide will help.
But before I dive into the distributions, let me kill a few myths. First, Linux is not hard to use. You don't need to know how to use cryptic shell commands or be a programmer to use desktop Linux. Anyone, and I mean anyone, can use it.
There are also lots of applications and games you can run on Linux. True, you can't run all of your Windows applications. Although, as it happens, thanks to Wine and Crossover you can run some popular Windows programs on Linux.
But you may find that you don't even need those Windows apps. Linux supports many free applications that can take the place of some of your favorite commercial applications. These include LibreOffice or OpenOffice for Microsoft Office; Evolution for Outlook; and GnuCash for QuickBooks.
And, yes, there are many games for Linux as well. Some are native games and some are based on Steam. Many popular Windows games, such as Guild Wars and World of Warcraft, can also be played on Linux with the aforementioned Wine and Crossover.
That said, here is my list of the best Linux distributions based on how you plan to use it.
Let's say you do pretty much everything you want on the Web. You write with Google Docs, you use Mint for your personal finances, and Gmail for your e-mail. If that's you, then what you want to use is Google's Chrome OS.
Although almost none of its users can tell it, Chrome OS, the operating system behind the popular Chromebook, is based on Gentoo Linux. But then again, that's the point of Chrome OS. It's the operating system that's meant to be invisible.
While you can pry open a Linux shell interface on Chrome OS if you really want to, you'll never need to get to it. Chrome OS uses Google's Chrome Web browser for its interface. And everyone knows how to use a Web browser. Right? Of course, right!
If that's you, then Ubuntu is for you. Many old Linux hands don't care for Ubuntu because they find its Unity interface to be shockingly different from the old GNOME 2.x interface.
In addition, they don't like the way Unity gets in the way of directly accessing the system. Fair enough, Unity is not for the experienced Linux expert. But for someone who wants a simple-to-use interface that can quickly master (about 90% of the population), Unity is great.
How easy is Ubuntu with Unity? I got my 79-year old mother-in-law on Ubuntu and we don't even speak the same language. So much for Linux being hard to use.
Canonical, Ubuntu's parent company, also plans on moving Unity to its forthcoming smartphones and tablets. That's because Unity was designed from the start to be a universal interface for PCs and touch devices. Unlike other such attempts, Unity actually works. That's in no small part because Ubuntu has been polishing Unity for several years now.
So, if you want a Linux that a full Linux distribution with the easiest possible learning curve I highly recommend the latest version of Ubuntu.
Even the most hardcore Windows fans are finally beginning to crack and admit that Windows 8 has been a flop and while Windows 8.1 looks better, it doesn't look that much better. What's a Windows XP or 7 user to do? He or she should turn to Linux Mint. In particular, the version using the Cinnamon interface.
Unlike Chrome OS and Ubuntu Unity, Mint with Cinnamon sticks with the Windows, Icons, Menus, and Pointer (WIMP) interface you've grown to know know and love from years of traditional desktops. It's not a one-to-one match with the XP or Windows 7 Aero interface, but Windows users will find Cinnamon much more familiar than Windows 8's Metro.
Linux users who loved the GNOME 2.x style interface will also love Cinnamon. Another worthwhile alternative for people who are found of GNOME 2.x, and which is also integrated into Mint, is MATE. While Cinnamon rests on the foundation of the GNOME 3.x desktop, MATE is an outright GNOME 2.x fork.
Mint, unlike many distributions, also comes with easy access to proprietary software. Some Linux users hate such programs and hardware drivers, but I've found that in practice they make Linux easier to use.
Personally, I really like Mint with Cinnamon. It's not perfect, but it's about as close as a Linux desktop gets in my experience. While I use lots of Linux distributions, Mint is my current favorite.
I hear you. Then the distribution you want, and the first choice of Linus Torvalds and most Linux kernel developers, is Red Hat's community distribution Fedora.
Fedora is cutting edge Linux so you need to be a little careful lest you nick yourself with it. More so than any of the other distributions this one is meant for expert users. That's not to say it's hard to use, although I do confess that I dislike its default desktop, GNOME 3.8. You can, however, also use the MATE or KDE 4.10 desktops.
Fedora includes many of the newest versions of Linux and open-source programs -- for example, the latest major GCC, Ruby, and PHP releases. It also now includes the MariaDB as its default database management system (DBMS) instead of MySQL. Eventually, Red Hat is expected to move its enterprise server standard DBMS to MariaDB as well. This is one reason why so many programmers like it. Fedora is ready for serious developers.
You don't need to dream in C++ to use Fedora. It also works well for experienced Linux users. But, if you're just coming to Linux, I'd start somewhere else.
Here I think you have several good choices. These are: PCLinuxOS, Kubuntu and openSUSE. Of this trio, I prefer openSUSE, but they're all worth taking for a test drive.
While I had no fondness for the KDE 4.x interface at first, over the years its developers have improved it and I rather like it now.
In my experience, PCLinuxOS is just a good, solid independent distribution. It's backed by a passionate user community who take the time to help their users.
Kubuntu, just like the name hints at, is the official KDE on Ubuntu desktop. That sounds great, and it is good, but Canonical dropped active support for Kubuntu in early 2012. The distribution has since picked up support from a company named Blue Systems, but it's still as tightly integrated into the Ubuntu world as it once was.
OpenSUSE, like Fedora, has the backing of a major Linux company, SUSE. This is a very solid, reliable Linux distribution. If you want a top Linux you can count on, and that's not quite so much on the bleeding, leading edge as Fedora, openSUSE is an excellent choice.
Still not sure? Just download them and try them. All of them are free, all of them, except Chrome OS, can be installed from a CD, DVD, or USB-stick. What works for me may not work for you, but with these choices I'm pretty darn sure you'll find one that works well for you.
Good luck and happy computing!
You and I know that but in my FIL's case he tends to over think things and gets into an analysis paralysis mode. So his default is not to click here, click there and figure it out. He emails me.
This and other things have been going on for years. My first mistake was saying 'yes' when asked if I could look at so and so's computer. The money was nice as they always insist on paying for my services. But it never ends.
I want to get one of these to wear to family functions but Wifey thinks it would be rude;
Discretion, as they say, is the better part of valor.
KDE for me.. once I got used to it.. no going back... It’s more flexible than the other distros..
Sadly, the ‘high-tech’ games are going to the console (man, do I despise consoles) and are then ported to the PC... The games from 10 years ago are better than these newer ported console games..
When I switched to Linux, I lost a few games, but it was worth it. (Most of the games will run on Linux, if yo0u are using Wine and know how to set it up).
run them off a live disc first to find one you like.
MS Windows had 90% market share, that’s why they had the game market.
Linux uses less system resources than Windows, you would think games would be a natural. Once they get this game thing down, Linux is going to rock Windows world.
There was a Linux distro called “SuperGamer” you can still find it at download.com or something. It’s an 8 GB download thoough.
World of Tanks is pretty cool though
Tried em all, did it all in Linux. Best setup for 90% of normal people, IMO, is simply Ubuntu with XFCE or LXDE desktop. Simple fast and easier than windows.
True dat, and I think it's funny as hell. Our shop's Linux servers are Red Hat but I think it's a little much for a home box and so use Mint for my home Linux fix. Had a relative over last evening and she didn't even notice that she wasn't running Winders until I told her.
bookmark
Thank you for the info.. just looked it up... looks interesting :)
Wine able to run it yet?
(Normally, I avoid online.. had more than my share of online cheaters, but WoW (World of Warcraft) usually catches them and bans them for life)... Any problems on World of Tanks?
I never tried.
Good question
I am not a heavy player. I do know they are coming out with XBox and PS3/4 and VITA versions.
apparently there are those who claim it works:
someone posted:
Hi guys i have best way to play on linux on ubuntu.
Install PlayonLinux 4.1.9 and enjoy WOT
no combination
one click
and wot 0.8.4 installed and worked :D
May have to reinstall PlayOnLinux again.. latest Kubuntu didn’t like it too much (maybe they have updated to be better tuned by now)..
Likewise, I rarely play games too often nowadays.. but, I still have the responsibility of running a guild with about 600 members on WoW.. so I still have to go there a few times a week :p (have had this guild running for about 4 years)..
Would be nice if they could get some stuff like the older Red Alerts (C&C) running :D
(WarZone2100 is great.. but it does get old after awhile..)
I saw an old game called NetPanzer mentioned somewhere, ever tried that?
downloading PlayOnLinux now
I go back to a time when windows didn't have 90% market share and most people gamed on DOS.
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