Brummbar's Computer Tinkering Website

Linux Mint

My Favorite

 

Based on Ubuntu. Much needed proprietary software/packages are preinstalled or readily available. Despite any philosophical rumblings about Open Source philosophy, this distribution recognizes the reality of what users will need.

 

I prefer the Cinnamon desktop they have refined. They also have a KDE and XFCE version. Use what you like - try them all like I did.

Mageia

Based on Mandrake Linux. Mandriva was a much used and appreciated distribution that had experienced some management hiccups. (management as in people running things not OS running a computer.. :) ) This reintroduces it with different governance and an awesomely sweet installer. Again, much needed proprietary software/packages are preinstalled or readily available.

 

I do like there ongoing work to make a more centralized and structued gui for administration and maintenance. It's worth looking at just for that! In a couple years other distributions will organize it this way too.

 

My only grumbling with Mageia was a little extra fiddling. I had to look up and search for little things that made my particular hardware cooperate. It's less of a knock on Mageia than just my particular circumstances. Do give this one a serious look.

Zorin-OS

Zorin is still great and there is a free version.   The version that is best supported is a resonable price at $39.   

Quoting from ther website... "Zorin OS is a multi-functional operating system designed specifically for Windows users who want to have easy and smooth access to Linux. It is based on Ubuntu which is the most popular Linux operating system in the world." That says it all better than I can. Again, much needed proprietary software/packages are preinstalled or readily available.

 

Zorin assumes you might actually appreciated that better elements of your Windows computer/OS. The network interface and desktop feel is comfortable for Windows folks. It's also an easy install.

Puppy Linux

Good little guy to have around.

 

Compact - friendly - Will even run nicely from a DVD. Good to use as a 'rescue disk' to get into your computer to see your hard drive if the computer can't boot the OS.

Versions that can run on older computers with limited resources.

Puppy Linux is just cool and makes me smile. :)

Ubuntu

Still like and still use it. You'll have to fiddle to get some stuff you need BUT there's so much written about how to get that done you'll get there. I've always liked the PEOPLE that have helped me on their forums and help sites.

 

I'm a fuddy and I don't like the Unity Desktop. New users seem to have less grumbly about it. You can get a KDE version or put Cinammon on it (or something else). Cinnamon seemed a little buggy when I added it BUT that was a year ago. Also: I'm not a Linux guru - just a guy who likes to tinker with everything.

Fedora

Same blah blah as Ubuntu about a different OS. Still like and still use it. You'll have to fiddle to get some stuff you need BUT there's so much written about how to get that done you'll get there. I've always liked the PEOPLE that have helped me on their forums and help sites.

 

I'm a fuddy and I don't like the Gnome 3 Desktop. New users seem to have less grumbly about it. They have KDE, LXDE, Xfce as well so there's other flavors to get a desktop you like. (I see a pattern here...)

 

Fedora is supported by RedHat. It's not exactly a prototype or RedHat developer oriented thing anymore but it still kind of is. (I've just gone crosseyed.... ) Don't worry and just enjoy the show.... The point is they've been around forever and will be here in the future

 

openSUSE

openSUSE is a free and Linux-based operating system for your PC, Laptop or Server. Based on Suse (of course). I'm good with Suse but it's not my first choice. Again, it's just a personal thing, but I've had some hiccups that where more easiily dealt with in other distributions. Many others use it perfectly with no issues. If you like it .... AWESOME!

archlinux

I list this because I respect archlinux.  I used to say "you don't install archlinux you build it".  Ideally you would only put together what you need and then install the packages. There is now an installer and it is a great deal easier to install as a new user.  That said I feel it's not ideal for beginers or even moderate users like me. It's for people who know how and want the most efficient Linux they can have. Don't mess with this if your new and just need something to get you to youtube and facebook.