Re: trying out another linux distro,thoughts or opinions ?
You could install Oracle Virtualbox 4.0 and try out any or all. Don't forget to download " VirtualBox 4.0.10 Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack" will give you USB support. It allows you to run any distro, windows and my friend even has Mac's os running on it. It is free!
Re: trying out another linux distro,thoughts or opinions ?
@snowpine ,i know what you mean but i have a problem burning the .iso file to a cd,so its difficult for me to install one that i want.thats kind of why i want a rolling distro.
Re: trying out another linux distro,thoughts or opinions ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
whoopwhoopgod
@snowpine ,i know what you mean but i have a problem burning the .iso file to a cd,so its difficult for me to install one that i want.thats kind of why i want a rolling distro.
If your CD drive is busted, you can install from USB.
Anyway you will also need some way to install from CD or USB if you want to switch distros.
Re: trying out another linux distro,thoughts or opinions ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
snowpine
...
"Rolling release" distros by definition are not stable
I've found Arch to be far more stable & reliable than my experiences with any other of the numerous distros that I have tried, including plenty of Ubuntu.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
snowpine
and will not support "classic" Gnome 2.x.
Like Ubuntu does now (2nd choice) which finishes-up in October?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
snowpine
Rolling release is for users who always want the latest software (i.e. Gnome 3) and new software is generally buggier than older, well-tested, extensively patched software.
Many rolling release users (myself included) don't use same for that reason, we use it because we don't have to go through all of the hassles of 6 monthly upgrades that so often bring regressions & other troubles. As far as Arch is concerned we get to install just what we want on top of the "Core System" - no more & no less. This also adds to the stability & simplicity of the system.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
snowpine
Also I disagree with the notion that Ubuntu is not a good learning distro.
Ubuntu is a great learning distro, it is terrific for getting your feet wet & gaining enough confidence to then be able to go out & explore the other ways people make distros & the BSDs & such. Whilst doing so you grow in experience which gives you the ability to evaluate empirically just what you do & what you don't prefer (for what ever reasons) to be the way you like to interface with your computing life.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
snowpine
While it's true Ubuntu is very easy for a beginner, it also offers all the standard tools for intermediate/advanced projects. You can learn compiling from source, system administration, networking, virtualization, etc. in Ubuntu without switching distros. :)
Variety is the spice of life, & it teaches us to look at things from different perspectives, which helps us appreciate the positives & negatives of things with a more open mind. :)
Re: trying out another linux distro,thoughts or opinions ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
handy
I've found Arch to be far more stable & reliable than my experiences with any other of the numerous distros that I have tried, including plenty of Ubuntu.
Hi Handy, I've been reading and enjoying your posts on these forums for years...
"Stable" to me means "constant, unchanging." A "rolling release" distro is in a continuous state of change, and therefore inherently unstable (by this definition), just a stone that is "rolling" down a hill is not "stable."
I like Arch :) and recommend trying it to anyone who's interested. I agree with you it can be "reliable" in the right hands. In fact I would argue that in certain cases, "unstable" distros can be more "reliable" because they get bug fixes, security patches, support for new hardware, etc. sooner than "stable" distros.
In short, I distinguish between "stable" and "reliable" (and don't mean "unstable" as derogatory).
Quote:
Originally Posted by
handy
Like Ubuntu does now (2nd choice) which finishes-up in October?
Ubuntu 10.04 LTS fully supports Gnome 2.x through April 2013, furthermore it is in a "stable" state (no major updates, only bug fixes and security patches).
Quote:
Originally Posted by
handy
Many rolling release users (myself included) don't use same for that reason, we use it because we don't have to go through all of the hassles of 6 monthly upgrades that so often bring regressions & other troubles.
Ubuntu LTS is supported 36 months (and 60 months for servers).
Quote:
Originally Posted by
handy
As far as Arch is concerned we get to install just what we want on top of the "Core System" - no more & no less. This also adds to the stability & simplicity of the system.
Ubuntu is a great learning distro, it is terrific for getting your feet wet & gaining enough confidence to then be able to go out & explore the other ways people make distros & the BSDs & such. Whilst doing so you grow in experience which gives you the ability to evaluate empirically just what you do & what you don't prefer (for what ever reasons) to be the way you like to interface with your computing life.
Variety is the spice of life, & it teaches us to look at things from different perspectives, which helps us appreciate the positives & negatives of things with a more open mind. :)
I agree 100% with the quoted, as I usually do with your posts. :)
Re: trying out another linux distro,thoughts or opinions ?
Problems arise from time to time in written communication (particularly in forums) as we can have different definitions for the meaning of words.
I still don't completely agree with what you said, but so what!? lol
Forgive the use of the word "crap" I was obviously not feeling particularly articulate at the time of writing. :)
[edit:] I've edited the original. :oops:
Re: trying out another linux distro,thoughts or opinions ?
All is forgiven Handy, I edited my quote of your post too. :) I am primarily a Debian user, so "stable" and "unstable" have a specific, non-judgmental meaning to me.
Like you, I'm in the situation where I don't use Ubuntu very often, yet here I am on Ubuntu Forums trying to give advice on various topics. Sometimes when the "which distro?" question comes up, I like to play "devil's advocate" and say "have you considered sticking with Ubuntu?" In my perception, these forums have taken a weird turn lately where it's become unpopular/controversial to say "I recommend Ubuntu," or "I like Unity," etc. ;)
Re: trying out another linux distro,thoughts or opinions ?
Cool, & thanks. :)
Well, personally, Ubuntu doesn't suit me, but I still like it, & those that don't can like it or lump it, as I'm pretty sure that Ubuntu has bought more people into the Linux desktop fold from the Windows world (in particular) than any other distro.
As far as Unity goes, that is other people's problem. I've never used it & won't ever use. I'm perfectly happy with Openbox. :)
I don't know, but I suspect that Unity could be part of a plan that works in cahoots with a hardware manufacturer or two re. Netbooks in the future. I think that Canonical is desperately trying to compete in the marketplace. The more funding they get the better off Ubuntu will be in the long run. The alternative is that if Canonical can't support itself, there is a limit to how far ten million dollars goes, which would eventually leave Ubuntu on its own financially.
Re: trying out another linux distro,thoughts or opinions ?
I took Unity for a test drive lately and actually quite liked it. It is an improvement over "classic" Gnome for my own personal style anyway. My favorite part was its keyboard-friendliness; it is very straight-forward to hit the Super (Windows) key and start typing the name of an app, much easier than using the mouse to scroll through endless menus and sub-menus!
I also am primarily an Openbox user (though lately experimenting with Ratpoison, fun stuff!) which brings up an interesting question. Most of the people I've heard say "Arch is super-reliable" prefer a minimalist desktop like Openbox, Fluxbox, etc. which of course have a very slow development cycle and few features.
What about Arch users who prefer Gnome, KDE, etc.? Has the Gnome 2 to Gnome 3 transition gone smoothly, or are Arch Gnome users having similar "growing pains" to the Ubuntu's community switch to Unity?
Re: trying out another linux distro,thoughts or opinions ?
Recommend going to this mirror link and downloading a progression of distros to learn on, starting (as a suggestion) with MEPIS then antiX then more complicated ones like sabayon or salix.
Have fun!!