Hrm...

[Selrach]

I would like some advice from someone please. I currently use the Mandriva 2007 Spring distribution and I am wondering if perhaps I should switch to Ubuntu. I've used Windows 2000 for the most part, but I've learned that thing so much I don't have any trouble with linux in general. Shell access reminds me of DOS more or less... If it helps, I'll list my systems general specs.

AMD Athlon 64 3500+
1 GB RAM
160 GB hard drive, 7200 RPM 16 MB cache, Western Digital
DVD/CD drive
ASUS EAX1600XT video card

Thats all I can recall off the top of my head.

Now, can someone please give me a valid comparison between the two?

[BobCFC]

As far as I know Mandriva does not use the wonderful apt-get/synaptic package manager for installing software but URPMI perl scripts, which are designed to overcome the problems of RPM hell that afflicts all distros which trace their roots back to Redhat.

All distros in the Debian family such as Ubuntu use apt-get at command line or synaptic with the mouse to install and remove software flawlessly. Apart from the fact Ubuntu has the biggest and most up to date repositories you can add other software by just double-clicking on the .deb files. It works so well I can't live without it.

Also another reason is this very forum. I used to be a Zenwalk user but I found myself reading these pages so often after googling for solutions that I just switched to Ubuntu. This community is renowned as helpful for the new user.

[jamesford]

not sure how recent these are but might be worth reading
http://www.google.com/search?q=mandriva+vs+ubuntu&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=com.ubuntu:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

expecially this one looks useful http://polishlinux.org/choose/comparison/?distro1=Ubuntu&distro2=Mandriva