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View Full Version : Which Linux distro would YOU choose on EmperorLinux?Emperor Linux Idea Storm!Vote NOW



RAV TUX
March 18th, 2007, 08:59 AM
Emperor Linux has the best preinstalled Linux systems now.

which Linux Distro would you choose?


The choice of a Linux distribution is really a matter of end-user preference.

We offer several different Linux installs on our laptops (each significantly tweaked for the particular laptop you order). These include Fedora (http://www.emperorlinux.com/quality/value/distros/#emp), Debian (http://www.emperorlinux.com/quality/value/distros/#deb), Ubuntu (http://www.emperorlinux.com/quality/value/distros/#ubu), Slackware (http://www.emperorlinux.com/quality/value/distros/#slk), and Mandrake (http://www.emperorlinux.com/quality/value/distros/#mdk) at the base prices your see on the system pages.
The standard "EmperorLinux" offering is currently based on Fedora Core 6 (FC6).
We also offer Linux laptops with the professional-edition box-set-included installs of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (http://www.emperorlinux.com/quality/value/distros/#rhel) (WS, AS, and ES), and SuSE (http://www.emperorlinux.com/quality/value/distros/#suse). As with our base-price offerings, all kernel-level updates and hardware configuration support continues to come from EmperorLinux.

These distribution options are intended to give you enhanced availability of user-space package updates via the distribution packagers' network update portals.
We will let you have it almost any way you want. Call us; let's have a nice geeky talk about Linux.

EmperorLinux $0

Our own EmperorLinux (http://www.emperorlinux.com/) is currently based on Fedora 6 that has been specially modified for optimal performance in a portable environment. We tailor the system to best meet the needs of our customers, including the addition of our own custom kernel (the empkernel (http://www.emperorlinux.com/quality/value/kernel/)) and laptop-specific utilities to make using Linux on a laptop that much more enjoyable. EmperorLinux is fully compatible with all the most popular RPM updating applications (including up2date, Yum, and RHN) so if you have used Red Hat in the past, then we will recommend the Fedora-based EmperorLinux to you. We also offer Fedora 5 (FC5), FC3, RH9, and RH7.3-based installs if your company or research lab has standardized on those earlier versions.

Ubuntu $0

An offshoot of Debian and our second most popular distribution offering, Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntulinux.org/) builds on the Debian foundation by adding integration, ease-of-use improvements and features that are tailored specifically for Linux on the desktop. Ubuntu fixes many Debian problems, with its' primary strength being a 6-month release schedule, meaning nicely up to date packages in a named release without the need to use the "Unstable" Debian stream. We offer a customized installation of Ubuntu's "Dapper Drake" release with all the usual EmperorLinux modifications. Of course you will continue to benefit from APT for your package management. If you are comfortable with the less time-stable "stream" nature of the original APT-based distro, see our Debian (http://www.emperorlinux.com/quality/value/distros/#deb) offering below.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux $0

We offer Red Hat Enterprise Linux (http://www.redhat.com/) (RHEL) WS, AS, and ES (vers. 3, 4, 4 update2 (4.2) and 4.3) to customers in the academic, government, and corporate sectors. We recommend that you as the end user obtain RHEL entitlements directly from Red Hat, and simply pass on to us the credentials needed to verify those entitlements. Then, as your authorized service provider (http://www.redhat.com/solutions/industries/education/qualified/), we can load RHEL on your system. This saves you the ownership transfer problem, and very possibly saves you money if your institution already has an RHEL site agreement.

CentOS $0

We offer Community ENTerprise OS (http://www.centos.org/) (CentOS) (vers 4, 4.2, and 4.3) to those looking for full RHEL compatibility without a support contract from Red Hat. CentOS is built from the same RHEL sources, with all copyright and trademark protected materials removed.

Debian $0

Debian (http://www.debian.org/) is a good fit for the experienced Linux user who wants the flexibility and power of one of the most mature and proven distros around. Debian features APT, the Advanced Package Tool, which provides the most sophisticated package installation and removal, dependency tracking and updating available in the Linux world. We offer a customized installation of Debian's Testing (aka. "Etch") stream on our laptops, which has been tweaked with all the usual EmperorLinux stuff like the empkernel, EmpTool, and our custom ACPI stack. Debian's Stable (aka "Sarge") release is also available, but has fallen a bit behind in hardware support (call for details). If you want a more cutting-edge APT-based distro with all the latest goodies, see our Ubuntu (http://www.emperorlinux.com/quality/value/distros/#ubu) offering above. Of course we include the empkernel (http://www.emperorlinux.com/quality/value/kernel/) to ensure full support of your laptop's hardware.

SuSE $0

Open SuSE (http://www.suse.com/), currently version 10.2, is based on the familiar RPM package manager and enjoys a high level of internationalization support. This is the Open SuSE edition that is freely downloadable. The Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop (SLED10) edition is also available for an additional $100, and includes the SuSE Enterprise Desktop boxed set.

Slackware $0

Slackware (http://www.slackware.com/), currently version 11, is, of course, the original Linux distribution (the Emperor grew up on Slackware before Red Hat existed), and, as such, has many followers in research and academia. It is a bit harder for the novice to configure, but Slackware lets you live very close to the hardware, if you are comfortable with that. Base Slackware does not include Gnome any more. Since the Dropline Gnome project does such a good job, we include Dropline Gnome in all Slackware installs.

Mandrake $0

Mandrake (http://www.linux-mandrake.com/), currently version 10.1, started out as a Pentium-optimized Red Hat, but has since become a nice little distribution in its own right. It is still pretty close to Red Hat, although there are some differences. With these similarities in mind, we recommend EmperorLinux for most people.

Dual Boot

All of our systems are available dual boot (http://www.emperorlinux.com/quality/value/distros/dualboot/). We also can provide data interchange partitions and customized partition sizes.

Yes, our specialty is Linux, but you can have your system as a dual-boot with Linux (http://www.emperorlinux.com/quality/value/distros/) and Windows.
We don't do any Windows installs, or have any resources to do so, but we can easily shrink the existing Windows partition (http://www.emperorlinux.com/faq/?cat=14) and put Linux on the rest of your disk.
There is usually no extra charge for the dual-boot configuration. The prices on this site reflect a free dual-boot with Windows XP Home, which originally comes on the machines from the manufacturer.
Windows XP Pro is available on many systems for $100 extra.
Either way, your system will come with the GRUB boot loader installed, which will allow you to boot into several different Linux kernels or Windows.


Multi Boot


We will also configure multiple Linuxes on a single machine on custom orders. A recent example would be a triple-boot: EmperorLinux FC2 - Debian Unstable - Windows XP Pro.
Talk about a really impressive box to show around to your buddies, three operating systems in only 3 pounds!

http://www.emperorlinux.com/quality/value/distros/

Make a difference in the Linux community now! Call EmperorLinux and tell them exactly what you want! They will Listen!
http://www.emperorlinux.com/order/

RAV TUX
March 18th, 2007, 09:18 AM
Fellow Ubers don't forget to Vote!....now is your time to make a difference!

karellen
March 18th, 2007, 09:32 AM
voted!

maxamillion
March 18th, 2007, 09:41 AM
Just a hunch, but I think you will get a bloated Ubuntu vote ;)

I think Ubuntu has superior laptop support which is the main reason I voted for it, but in the state of linux world today I would go more the debian direction if I were to get a desktop machine.

RAV TUX
March 18th, 2007, 09:50 AM
Just a hunch, but I think you will get a bloated Ubuntu vote ;)

I think Ubuntu has superior laptop support which is the main reason I voted for it, but in the state of linux world today I would go more the debian direction if I were to get a desktop machine.
would you dual boot Ubuntu with Debian?

RAV TUX
March 18th, 2007, 10:23 AM
voted!cool Thanks for voting :)

maxamillion
March 18th, 2007, 10:34 AM
would you dual boot Ubuntu with Debian?

No, I would find that horribly redundant ...

Bigbluecat
March 18th, 2007, 10:48 AM
Voted. It will be Ubuntu dominated.

kripkenstein
March 18th, 2007, 11:27 AM
I set up an EmperorLinux system and the exact same system on Dell's website (the EmperorLinux system is based on the exact same laptop from Dell). Dell comes out to $1466, EmperorLinux to $1905.

I am more than willing to pay a little more to support vendors selling pre-installed Linux, and also to avoid paying the Microsoft tax. Also to get 100% hardware support. But around $450 is far too much (for me) to justify that.

Any ideas about the price difference?

RAV TUX
March 18th, 2007, 06:44 PM
I set up an EmperorLinux system and the exact same system on Dell's website (the EmperorLinux system is based on the exact same laptop from Dell). Dell comes out to $1466, EmperorLinux to $1905.

I am more than willing to pay a little more to support vendors selling pre-installed Linux, and also to avoid paying the Microsoft tax. Also to get 100% hardware support. But around $450 is far too much (for me) to justify that.

Any ideas about the price difference?Dell sells Linux preinstalled with Linux support also?

kripkenstein
March 18th, 2007, 07:13 PM
Dell sells Linux preinstalled with Linux support also?

Sadly no (no option even for a Windows-less laptop).

So it is $450 for Linux support? That is quite a lot, especially given that I get all of my support here on Ubuntuforums for free ;) (and good support it is)

RAV TUX
March 18th, 2007, 08:17 PM
Sadly no (no option even for a Windows-less laptop).

So it is $450 for Linux support? That is quite a lot, especially given that I get all of my support here on Ubuntuforums for free ;) (and good support it is)true...I am an advocate of recycling computers, just buy a windows or apple box on E-bay and load Linux on it...or just check craigslist (http://www.craigslist.org/)...people are always giving away free computers....load Ubuntu on it and your all good:)

Quillz
March 18th, 2007, 08:18 PM
I'd probably go with openSUSE or Kubuntu.

RAV TUX
March 19th, 2007, 03:44 AM
I'd probably go with openSUSE or Kubuntu.I would probably go with Slackware

Adamant1988
March 19th, 2007, 04:15 AM
Dell sells Linux preinstalled with Linux support also?

They might soon, not that you would be accepting of that. I don't know why you have such a dislike of Dell, but I'm not willing to spend another $300-$400 on a laptop just to avoid them.

RAV TUX
March 19th, 2007, 04:36 AM
They might soon, not that you would be accepting of that. I don't know why you have such a dislike of Dell, but I'm not willing to spend another $300-$400 on a laptop just to avoid them.I don't have a dislike of Dell I own a Dell...I dislike their unethical marketing tactics

Adamant1988
March 19th, 2007, 04:46 AM
I don't have a dislike of Dell I own a Dell...I dislike their unethical marketing tactics

Prove to me that their doing any of what you claim. Until then it's all theorycraft.

RAV TUX
March 19th, 2007, 05:48 AM
Prove to me that their doing any of what you claim. Until then it's all theorycraft.Don't need to prove anything to you, I simply hold the opinion that is unethical and wrong. A man is entitled to his opinion.

I just don't understand the Dell fanboyism all of the sudden?

Adamant1988
March 19th, 2007, 02:52 PM
Don't need to prove anything to you, I simply hold the opinion that is unethical and wrong. A man is entitled to his opinion.

I just don't understand the Dell fanboyism all of the sudden?

No fanboyism. My posts about dell are optimistic, however I am truly unnerved by the fact a forum staff member is raising a call to arms to support Emperor Linux which is an obviously more expensive alternative (I can get a MacBook a lot cheaper than I can get their systems) to Dell just because Dell posted a survey. You're entitled to your opinion, just stop using your forum rank and privileges to evangelize it, please.

Disclaimer: I am not saying you're abusing your forum access. I am saying that you are misusing the title you have been given, that red text under your name that says "Forum Staff" puts you in a position of authority and people listen to you. I'm actually more disturbed that you've, as a member of the forum staff, been allowed to continue showing this kind of blatant bias against a company that is *considering* pre-installing Linux. If you were posting on a second account or some such I wouldn't even care, but that title of yours gives you added authority whether or not you're actually using the privileges you have.

Lord Illidan
March 19th, 2007, 03:02 PM
No fanboyism. My posts about dell are optimistic, however I am truly unnerved by the fact a forum staff member is raising a call to arms to support Emperor Linux which is an obviously more expensive alternative (I can get a MacBook a lot cheaper than I can get their systems) to Dell just because Dell posted a survey. You're entitled to your opinion, just stop using your forum rank and privileges to evangelize it, please.

Disclaimer: I am not saying you're abusing your forum access. I am saying that you are misusing the title you have been given, that red text under your name that says "Forum Staff" puts you in a position of authority and people listen to you. I'm actually more disturbed that you've, as a member of the forum staff, been allowed to continue showing this kind of blatant bias against a company that is *considering* pre-installing Linux. If you were posting on a second account or some such I wouldn't even care, but that title of yours gives you added authority whether or not you're actually using the privileges you have.

TBH, I didn't even gaze at the title forum staff. He is a forum member just like you and me.

I want competition. Dell is entering the market. Good. But it is probably going to debut with SUSE linux..based on what they said. And anyway competition will directly benefit us.

Adamant1988
March 19th, 2007, 03:06 PM
Competition is a great thing and I love it. What I *don't* love is a forum staff member pushing views on us that borderline the paranoid.

qamelian
March 19th, 2007, 03:20 PM
Competition is a great thing and I love it. What I *don't* love is a forum staff member pushing views on us that borderline the paranoid.

If you knew anything of Dell's history, you would wouldn't say "paranoid". Dell has started down the Linux road before with dubious motives. I almost bought a Dell workstation because I got a decent discount through my employer. Dell was offering Windows-less PC with no OS or FreeDOS installed. I spent 30 minutes on the phone trying to order one. The Dell rep on the other end of the line spent the same 30 minutes telling me why I was buying the wrong PC. In the end, there was no sale. They wouldn't sell me what I wanted and I would by what they wanted to sell. For the record, I'm not the only one this has happened to.

I have to support Dell products at work. I will never under any circumstances consider buying from them again.

Moeru
March 19th, 2007, 03:21 PM
Competition is a great thing and I love it. What I *don't* love is a forum staff member pushing views on us that borderline the paranoid.

I've read the thread a couple of times now and I just don't see how Rav is "pushing views" on us. He posts a thread saying EmperorLinux wants opinions and for us to give said opinions to them. We do so. Considering this IS a forum for Ubuntu, I'd imagine most of the users are going to choose Ubuntu. As other users have pointed out, the price is a bit steep. The question is do I really want to pay for a copy of XP or Vista I won't ever use? No, that's an extra $100+ that can be removed from Dell's pricing scheme if they would just allow it.

There hasn't been anyone pushing anything on us except use linux which I believe we're all doing anyway :confused:

Adamant1988
March 19th, 2007, 04:12 PM
If you knew anything of Dell's history, you would wouldn't say "paranoid". Dell has started down the Linux road before with dubious motives. I almost bought a Dell workstation because I got a decent discount through my employer. Dell was offering Windows-less PC with no OS or FreeDOS installed. I spent 30 minutes on the phone trying to order one. The Dell rep on the other end of the line spent the same 30 minutes telling me why I was buying the wrong PC. In the end, there was no sale. They wouldn't sell me what I wanted and I would by what they wanted to sell. For the record, I'm not the only one this has happened to.

I have to support Dell products at work. I will never under any circumstances consider buying from them again.

You give nothing but your opinion and your experience. The difference between what you're saying and what Rav Tux is saying is that he has his name in red and a "forum staff" title.


I've read the thread a couple of times now and I just don't see how Rav is "pushing views" on us. He posts a thread saying EmperorLinux wants opinions and for us to give said opinions to them. We do so. Considering this IS a forum for Ubuntu, I'd imagine most of the users are going to choose Ubuntu. As other users have pointed out, the price is a bit steep. The question is do I really want to pay for a copy of XP or Vista I won't ever use? No, that's an extra $100+ that can be removed from Dell's pricing scheme if they would just allow it.

There hasn't been anyone pushing anything on us except use linux which I believe we're all doing anyway

I don't like it being implied that I'm hurting the the Linux community by buying from another company besides Emperor Linux, do you?

Make a difference in the Linux community now! Call EmperorLinux and tell them exactly what you want! They will Listen!
http://www.emperorlinux.com/order/
While we're talking about underhanded marketing tactics...

Moeru
March 19th, 2007, 04:19 PM
You give nothing but your opinion and your experience. The difference between what you're saying and what Rav Tux is saying is that he has his name in red and a "forum staff" title.

Much like my experiences in online gaming, being in a place of power automatically makes you the scapegoat and target of anyone who has to be heard on every single subject known to hiumankind. His title means he is part of the staff. He is allowed to have opinions and campaign for his opinions just as well as you do. Staff, regardless of power, are allowed to have opinions too. If I decided that RAV was blowing smoke, I'd tell him so. We are not lemmings.




I don't like it being implied that I'm hurting the the Linux community by buying from another company besides Emperor Linux, do you?

I'm not being told that. I don't see anyone else taking it that way either. I have a Dell. I love Dell but I don't agree with their tactics on OS installation. See how simple that is? I'm not just blindly following an opinion because of the dreaded "RED TEXT".

Personally, I think you are taking all this way too far and bordering on childish. That is my opinion and I'll continue to have it. I might even mention it elsewhere if I felt the need is necessary.

Sunflower1970
March 19th, 2007, 04:51 PM
To get this back on topic, I voted for Ubuntu (since that's all I'm familiar with)

I'm glad to see these different companies selling computers with Linux on it--companies I was not aware of before (ie System76, EmperorLinux, etc--people on this forum brought them to my attention), but, if I were in the market for a new computer, I'd probably go with a larger company (ie HP, IBM or Dell) because their computers are cheaper...Price wins out...

(I've had very good luck with Dell. Have bought all our newest computers from there and had excellent luck with 'em. Very well-built machines, and I can't seem to kill 'em.--the Compaq was given to me, so no $$ spent on it..and the Thinkpad was a used machine--and both of those seem to be pretty tough too. I'd go with any of those three companies to buy something in the future)

qamelian
March 20th, 2007, 03:28 AM
You give nothing but your opinion and your experience. The difference between what you're saying and what Rav Tux is saying is that he has his name in red and a "forum staff" title.
What I'm "giving" is something that was pretty darn well documented in the media as well at the time. It's not just my opinion but something that was well documented in the online media. Maybe you should do a little research yourself before just shrugging of another person's experiences as just an opinion. My "opinion" of Dell is also grounded in many years of experience servicing their systems and reporting problems with their hardware that they choose not to fix. Period. I service several hundred Dell units every year and deal with the company on an almost daily basis. I'd say that makes me qualified to have an "opinion".

aysiu
March 20th, 2007, 03:44 AM
I also don't agree with RAV TUX's vilification of Dell. Dell is a company. Companies do good things and bad things. HP is no saint.

However, I also don't think RAV TUX has done anything wrong or forced his opinions on anyone. Nor do I think moderators have to be neutral on every topic. We should be allowed to express our opinions as well. RAV TUX, as a forum moderator, has expressed his opinion. I, as another forum moderator, expressed mine.

Moderators are people, too.

Kateikyoushi
March 20th, 2007, 04:37 AM
None of them, for that price I could get a Vaio Type G install linux myself and enjoy half the weight of emperorlinux machines.

Portable "only" 2.7 Pounds...

RAV TUX
March 25th, 2007, 09:26 PM
I also don't agree with RAV TUX's vilification of Dell. Dell is a company. Companies do good things and bad things. HP is no saint.

However, I also don't think RAV TUX has done anything wrong or forced his opinions on anyone. Nor do I think moderators have to be neutral on every topic. We should be allowed to express our opinions as well. RAV TUX, as a forum moderator, has expressed his opinion. I, as another forum moderator, expressed mine.

Moderators are people, too.After spending $4000 dollars on a Dell computer and that was at a 60% off professional discount through my wife's University, I feel I have bought the right to hold an opinion on Dell...and I will voice my opinion no matter what the consequences.

The Fujitsu convertible that we bought was $3700

so I don't see the EmperorLinux options as being expensive....

I guess it's all a matter of perspective I have never spent less then $3000 for a computer, even if I choose to build one myself I would probably spend just as much as I tend to buy the latest available in technology...

yeah, but anyway it is all based on perspective, and my perspective is different then other peoples,...unfortunately this does cause friction, but I think we should all be free to state our opinions.

Fortunately here at ubuntuforums.org we are free to state our opinions, this is why I consider this my online home....

aysiu
March 25th, 2007, 09:35 PM
I'm not sure why you were quoting me.

The point of my post was to defend your right to express your opinion while also disagreeing with your opinion.

RAV TUX
March 25th, 2007, 09:38 PM
I'm not sure why you were quoting me.

The point of my post was to defend your right to express your opinion while also disagreeing with your opinion.exactely.....I quoted you because your post inspired me to post...

I was quoted you because I was Thankful that you were defending my right to an opinion....and since I never really posted why I have held a right to post my opinion (not only in general but also specifically on Dell) I wanted to further validate that right that you supported...

also illustrating that it is perfectly cool to disagree

Thus filling in the bases of my original perspective, of which I posted in the first place(here and elsewhere).

aysiu
March 25th, 2007, 09:44 PM
Cool.

RAV TUX
March 25th, 2007, 09:45 PM
Cool.ahhh coolness is always good:)