I've been concidering getting a free Linux distribution, but there are so many. I'd be using it for programming mostly, so what do u think?

I quote from the FAQ:

Quote:
* Gentoo: the most well known source based Linux distribution. The origin of portage, the BSD-ports inspired package building and installation system, among other things.

* Debian: a community run, devoted to "Free" software, mostly GNU/Linux distribution (there is some "official" experimental support for using BSD kernels with a GNU userland as well). The origin of the "Deb" packaging format as well as the apt dependency manager.
* Slackware: one of the oldest Linux distributions and still actively maintained and releasing new versions. Uses raw tarballs for packaging, meaning no real dependency tracking (although there is a new tool to handle dependencies for installation).
* Red Hat: now a "completely" commercial GNU/Linux distribution. See Fedora for the "Red-Hat-sponsored and community-supported" basis of Red Hat. The origin of the RPM packaging format.
* SUSE: a commercial partly desktop oriented distribution that has, at least historically, shipped with non-Free software. SUSE utilizes Red Hat's RPM packaging format. SUSE is now owned by Novell.
* Fedora: the community run basis for Red Hat's commercial offerings, offering only "Free" software GNU/Linux distribution. Predictably, Fedora utilizes Red Hat's RPM packaging format.
* Mandrake: a commercial GNU/Linux distribution largely aimed at providing a friendly desktop environment. Mandrake utilizes Red Hat's RPM packaging format.

There's a thread around here - you may wish to continue the conversation there as it seems like you're after the same sort of thing :)

Ubuntu needs to be added to the FAQ. N&V?

I didnt know we had a Everything Unix Forum [lol]

Did you try the What distro for you? In the faq?

Quote: Original post by eedok
Did you try the What distro for you? In the faq?

Wow, I'm surprised. I answered truthfully, and it gave me a 100% match to Debian, which I am currently using and like. I really wasn't comparing it to my current distro or thinking about it like that.

That is a good tool, though.

I would suggest Debian, but most people will suggest their own personal favorite. I love aptitude; I never have to deal with 'dependency hell.' The installation is just text-based, though, and may not be the best installation experience for a beginner. It's a good stable system.

72% Gentoo for me. I've been using it and it really meets my requirements.

Hah, it gave me 100% Ubuntu [grin]

Go to DistroWatch to find out the pros and cons of nearly every distrobution out there. I would go with one of the major distrubtions look at what they can offer, and base your decision off of that.


Personally I use Debian and it fits me like a glove. I love how ridiculously easy it is to download and install new packages on my system so I spend more time working and less time trying to solve dependency problems or whatever. Debian is also very fast and very stable and I use it as my programming environment for my game. In half a year its never crashed on me. That's what I call reliable. [grin]