Next Step??

[ninjapirate89]

I just started using Ubuntu about 4 months ago. I started with Ubuntu because it is the easiest to learn. Now I want to try some other versions of linux using virtualbox. What would you recommend for me to try next in terms of ease of use?

[GepettoBR]

The easiest distro that isn't as easy as Ubuntu, IMO, is Debian. If you want something new, though, I'd reccomend Suse or Arch. Ubuntu is based on Debian, so they're very similar.

[SunnyRabbiera]

Actually in most respects Ubuntu isn't the easiest, but is one of the easiest.
The next logical step for most users who start off with Ubuntu is normally Debian, debian is in some areas more complicated then Ubuntu but the two share a lot in common such as apt and the same base line of packages.

[ninjapirate89]

Thanks. I think I'll go ahead and give Debian and Arch a try.

[SunnyRabbiera]

Arch is actually more difficult to set up in my opinion then even debian, its really difficult to get a feel for its installer...
Heck in my opinion the old debian installer was easier then arch's

[ninjapirate89]

Umm.. for Arch I can only find i686 and x86-64. My laptop is i386. Which should I choose?

[mamamia88]

if you really want to learn why try debian i'd try something as completely different as ubuntu as you possibly could

[SunnyRabbiera]

Umm.. for Arch I can only find i686 and x86-64. My laptop is i386. Which should I choose?

i686 will cover i386, there is no difference really as the two are in the x86 kernel family.

[ninjapirate89]

if you really want to learn why try debian i'd try something as completely different as ubuntu as you possibly could

So should I try Arch and Suse then? What would you recommend?

[ninjapirate89]

i686 will cover i386, there is no difference really as the two are in the x86 kernel family.

Thanks I wasn't sure, I didn't want to waste time downloading something that wouldn't work.

[SunnyRabbiera]

Out of the two I would say Suse as its much more newb friendly then Arch.

[ninjapirate89]

Out of the two I would say Suse as its much more newb friendly then Arch.

Based on the screenshots I googled of Arch and Suse, I'm going to try Suse next. Looks more newb friendly as you said.

[ddnev45]

Once your comfortable with Ubuntu and/or Suse, give Slackware a go.

[Eisenwinter]

So should I try Arch and Suse then? What would you recommend?
Gentoo, then Crux, then Linux From Scratch (aka LFS)

[Toet]

once your comfortable with ubuntu and/or suse, give slackware a go.

2

[Simian Man]

Give Fedora a try too. You will see software that might be included in future versions of Ubuntu :).

[GepettoBR]

Gentoo, then Crux, then Linux From Scratch (aka LFS)

Calm down, jumping from Ubuntu straight to Gentoo seems like a stretch to me.

[Eisenwinter]

Calm down, jumping from Ubuntu straight to Gentoo seems like a stretch to me.
I did it.

Of course, I failed the installation, but it taught me a lot.

[GepettoBR]

I did it.

Of course, I failed the installation, but it taught me a lot.

I tried too, but ended up going for Arch first.

[ninjapirate89]

Calm down, jumping from Ubuntu straight to Gentoo seems like a stretch to me.

I'm open to try anything but I would prefer to try a few that are at least semi user-friendly. Remember I'll be trying these in virtualbox so I can't mess anything up.

[Netsu]

I'd say Suse is in no way more difficult than Ubuntu, only a little different. The next step should be Debian I guess, and then Arch.

[edit] Or maybe, if it's virtualbox, straight to Arch? Just follow the instalation manual closely.

[ninjapirate89]

Remember when I said I can't mess anything up? I lied. For some reason virtualbox keeps freezing up when I try setting up openSUSE with KDE works fine with GNOME. Any ideas as to what is causing this?

[GepettoBR]

Remember when I said I can't mess anything up? I lied. For some reason virtualbox keeps freezing up when I try setting up openSUSE with KDE works fine with GNOME. Any ideas as to what is causing this?

derp, I'd say KDE :lolflag:

srsly... try logging into a GNOME session and reinstalling the KDE packages

[ninjapirate89]

I'll just use GNOME as that's what I'm used to anyway.

[kk0sse54]

I just started using Ubuntu about 4 months ago. I started with Ubuntu because it is the easiest to learn. Now I want to try some other versions of linux using virtualbox. What would you recommend for me to try next in terms of ease of use?

Distrowatch (distrowatch.com)

[ninjapirate89]

What about Mandriva? It looks similar to Ubuntu.

[CJ Master]

I'd have to say linux mint.

[SunnyRabbiera]

What about Mandriva? It looks similar to Ubuntu.

Mandriva is actually quite different at least in interface to Ubuntu, but it is a good beginners distro.

[ninjapirate89]

I'd have to say linux mint.

I thought Linux Mint was just a version of Ubuntu with non-free stuff included (mp3 flash etc).

Edit -> Plus I've tried it before and I know I like it but it's nothing new really.

[Twitch6000]

PclinuxOS 2009
Mandriva 2009
OpenSuse 11.1

Are all good distros to try :).

[SunnyRabbiera]

I thought Linux Mint was just a version of Ubuntu with non-free stuff included (mp3 flash etc).

Edit -> Plus I've tried it before and I know I like it but it's nothing new really.

Actually Mint does bolster some interesting features, mintinstall, mintupdate, mintwifi and mintmenu are all good tools for the beginner and even the seasoned linux vet.