best linux for learning linux

[r0llingthund]

First off, I have been using Ubuntu for a while now and love it. I am using it as my main computer's OS.

I found my old laptop (... finally) and Its not good or bad (2.1 gig processor, 1 gig of ram, and a 50 gig HDD) and was planning on making it my experimental box. This is where I need help, I don't know what distro to put on it. I want some distro that will challenge me to learn how Linux functions instead of relying on all the gui tools like in Ubuntu. I just want to know how things work instead of relying on a gui tool for everything. I am not trying to go completely command line (though I am not against it) but I just want to learn how Linux works.

[hwttdz]

I think I'd go for slackware: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slackware

[5149.5]

Check out slackware. By the time you get it working, you will have learned a lot about linux. It's not a click here to install distro.

[r0llingthund]

Thank you all for your responses

[pinballwizard]

I vote Arch.

[Lateralis]

I vote Arch.

+1. I was going to say that too.

I would also suggest Gentoo. I've no experience with it, but I believe it is more involved than Ubuntu. And if you really want to go the *whole* hog, check out Linux from scratch.

[holiday]

Take a look at Linux From Scratch.

http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/

[egalvan]

I just want to know how things work instead of relying on a gui tool for everything. I am not trying to go completely command line (though I am not against it) but I just want to learn how Linux works.

If you don't want to "rely" on the GUI, then just open a terminal and work from there... what's the problem , easy as pie, piece of cake, easy-peasy ...

that's one of the beauties of Linux.. the freedom to make choices!

or you can "choose" to start your favorite distro in "terminal mode",
or "choose" to install a distro with no DE (Desk-top Environment).

Or you can choose to ignore my advice and follow the advice of other posters

[WorMzy]

Chalk another vote up for Arch. It has a damn good guide for newbies which walks you through installing the core system, setting up all the main config files, then setting up networking, sound, and the graphical interface, all from the command line. Other distros probably have something similar, but this is the only one I can personally vouch for.

[TeoBigusGeekus]

...and another vote for Arch.