Recommendations for a good Linux-based free OS?
Monday, December 20th, 2010 at
14:49
After years of sticking up for the XP preinstalled on my old computer, I have decided to finally make the switch to good ol’ open-source Linux. What would YOU personally recommend? Ubuntu and its fork Ultimate Edition seem great in my opinion IMO
Would like to add my computer has only 256MB of memory (sad, i know)
Tagged with: imo • Linux • memory • old computer • Open Source • preinstalled
Filed under: Open Source
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Ubuntu would run on it, however I would say you want Xubuntu. It would just run a little better on that system. Although Linux Mint is great for people used to Windows (not having to set up each and every part, like MP3 playback and such) If you don’t mind setting it up, spending time playing with and learning it, I’d go with Ubuntu, otherwise, Mint. Personally, I love messing with computers, and duel boot Windows 7 and Ubuntu 10.04.
"Good" and "Linux-based"? No such thing. Stick with XP. With any Linux distro, you’re going to end up with a so-so desktop, a dearth of drivers, and no real applications to run. The only applications available being watered-down Windows rip-offs.
Linux is about choice. It is about having the tools that YOU need, and as such there isn’t one distro that is the best. I strongly recommend you fill out the following quiz ( http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/ ) and try out the distros that it suggests. It will give you links to get the distro from there sites and have instructions on how to create a LiveCD (a CD that allows you to use the operating system without installing it first). Have fun and play around with several distros till you find one that works best for you and your computing needs.
Recommend, hum? I have played around with about 250 different distributions. Form a decision? Lets see here, they have many different Desktop Environments, many different files, many different pieces of eye candy you can install, share a common base system and Linux files. Every distribution can run the same things any other one can. That is a real tough to call, since the user makes it what they want it be be and what they want it to do. Unfortunately, you still need to retain Windows, but it becomes less important, because now it only serves the user for certain things and nothing else.
Ubuntu is the one recommended the most. Good reason it is growing, expanding and getting better as time moves forward. I was impressed with the Ultimate Edition when I first installed it and used it.
Mint Linux is moving up to second place, because of user friendliness and files have already been installed for the user.
The one I like to recommend is PCLinuxOS because it is a great one to use as a beginner and then move on to a different distribution if you like. So now that would leave what actually comes in around third place. It’s your call at this point, you need to be happy and satisfied with what you choose.
The current Ubuntu (Lucid) is excellent. A lot of tools have been overhauled and improved. I’m on it now, worked out of the box. I also recommend OpenSUSE which I have running on a second computer, which feels a bit speedier.
In any case, you can try them all out with a live CD.
With only 256MB of RAM, you’ll need to look at one of the distros aimed at low-spec machines. Puppy Linux is very good for that, and it’s a pretty small download. http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=puppy
Ubuntu 10.04 is the truly best and most user friendly version of Linux. I have used it for a short time now and I love it. You have access to thousands of free applications and games while using a great interface. Don’t go with anything else!
But I would recomend getting the version designed to go along with Windows. That way when your computer starts up you can choose which OS to use. You never know when you’ll have to use a Windows software that isn’t available on Linux.
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/windows-installer
Nathan makes a good point. You should consider reading up on how to shrink down your XP into a partition and install Ubuntu or Xubuntu alongside it.
I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 9 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 10.04 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled and I would also recommend primarily a Dual Boot with XP so you get the hang of Linux
Install Linux Mint as a dual-boot with Windows using mint4win without partitioning (mint4win works the same as Wubi as described below)
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi
You keep Windows as it is, mint4win only adds an extra option to boot into Linux Mint. mint4win does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.
mint4win keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.
Boot in to windows insert the Ubuntu Linux Mint LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the mint4win installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Linux Mint (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.
Once Linux Mint is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Linux Mint
Linux Mint 9 Download
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=52
Linux Mint 9 User Guide Download pdf.
http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_isadora.php
When you feel you are ready for a full installation I recommend you follow the tutorial below
The Perfect Desktop – Linux Mint 9 (Isadora)
http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-9-isadora
Linux Mint 9 can also be run straight from the LiveCD without touching your Hard drive
LUg.