On web sites, discussion lists and forums on GNU/Linux (here just called Linux) and Free Software, one of the questions the most frequent is “what is the best Linux for me?” and there are still variations on this question: “what the best Linux?”, “which Linux do I install?”, “which distribution you indicate for a beginner?”, and so it goes on. This article it was written with the intention of helping clarify this type of doubt. If you still do not use Linux, but wants to try it out and you don’t know how likely this text will be useful.
What are the Linux distributions
In essence, Linux is actually just the name of the kernel an operating system created by Linus Torvalds. As its use is free (anyone can use and/or change your source code) many organizations “joined” this kernel with a range of software packages to form an operating system with features relevant to the user. Each combination kernel with software packages, gives the name of the distribution and they all have features implemented by the organization that built it. As each organization works with philosophies and different goals, the mounting of a distribution is based on these aspects. Thus, there are distributions for the most various purposes. Today, an experienced user is able to assemble your own distribution, by adding the features that you want.
Between the distributions the most famous in the world, we have: Red Hat/Fedora, SUSE (now owned by Novell), Mandriva, Debian, Slackware and Ubuntu (based in Debian). There are also distributions based on these, as well as distributions that are known only in certain countries and places. In Brazil, for example, a distribution that was very successful was the Conectiva Linux, later bought by company Mandrakesoft. The merger of these two companies, emerged the current distribution Mandriva.
The big problem there is a huge variety of distributions Linux is that a novice user may have difficulties to decide which distribution to use. Users in this situation looking for help on mailing lists, forums, and sites specializing in Linux asking for an indication. After analyze the suggestions made, it is not rare to choose a particular distribution and be disappointed with it for some reason.
The best answer to the title of this topic is “the distribution for which you have greater affinity. This type of response suggests to the user to experiment with several distributions to pick the one you like the best. The problem is that such a procedure is, in most cases, unfeasible, because the user may have a lot of work testing the distributions and can be technical difficulties on the computer with the installation and uninstall Linux distributions.
The key issue of this all is that the choice of a distribution Linux is an aspect of the personal touch. In other words, “the that is the best for me, may not be best for you and vice-versa”. Thus, the best way of dealing with this matter is with suggestions.
If you are a user who never worked with Linux, the first thing you should do is learn about the subject and knowing a little of the concepts of Linux. Otherwise, you you can even do a successful installation, but can get “lost” when the system load on your computer and a login screen appears. One of the best documents in Portuguese on Linux the Guide Focuses on GNU/Linux, available at http://focalinux.cipsga.org.br.
After having some theoretical knowledge on Linux, the tip is to use a popular distribution and, admittedly, regarded as “easy to handle” (consider the fact that the facility is an aspect, that is, one aspect that varies from person to person). The most frequently indicated are the distributions Fedora, Mandriva, SUSE and Ubuntu. There are many others, but these are the most used, according to a survey done with a group of users AbbreviationFinder.
As you probably will not want to install each a to know which is best for your needs, the next step is to search on the characteristics of each distribution. For this, you can visit the official websites of the distributions and search for analyses of these (usually findable in magazines and websites specializing in Linux). At this point, you also you can search on mailing lists and forums on Linux, but it is recommended to ask for user reports who have already used the distribution in question.Questions so they have more chances of better responses than you simply ask “what is the best distribution for me?”.
Try it, but do not install
There is already some time ago the possibility of using certain Linux distributions without having to install them on the computer. This is a type of distribution that runs directly a CD (also known as a Live CD, or when available on DVD, known as the Live DVD), without need of installation. To do this, just that the user’s computer is configured to accept boot from CD drive and insert the disk as soon as you connect the machine. The system will be loaded as if it were installed on the computer. All data recorded on the HD of the computer are preserved. This type of distribution is ideal for beginners experiment with the various versions of Linux available by this means or for those who want to use some functionality in a computer that does not have Linux installed.
Many people started their “life with Linux” in this way, because to try Linux directly from a CD, did counting with the security that if something does not please you, at least not there will be risks of damage or changes to severe on the computer. Some people even carry CDs of that type in the bags and folders to show the features of Linux to friends and colleagues.
Distributions that run directly from the CD have packages software basic or specific to certain applications. Those that are geared to the home user, for example, have some applications for everyday use. Those that are geared for network computers, have testing tools and analysis connections, in addition to programs used to maintain such networks working, and so on.
A of the distributions that run directly from the CD the most well-known in the world is the Ubuntu, the south african company Canonical. The proposal for such distribution it is very simple: the user can test the CD of Ubuntu in your machine and, if you like, just click on an icon usually located in the area of work that starts the installation process the operating system on the computer, everything in an easy way. TheUbuntu has a team of developers so dedicated that, in a short time, became one of the distributions most commonly used in the world, pleasing both novice users, as users more experienced. For those who are starting with Linux, it is an option to consider.
But there are many other Live CD distributions available, among them: Slax (based on Slackware), a version based on Fedora and the brazilian GoblinX (also based on Slackware).
There are some distributions are known and respected, but that may not always be indicated to the novice user. This because they can require some concepts that beginners do not have. The most famous of these distributions are Debian, the Slackware and, more recently, the Gentoo. These distributions are quite different between itself, but are known to be used by experienced users. They do not have some of the facilities found in distributions the most popular (such as installation and configuration control of certain resources) and also have features usually not so clear to the novice user.
Distributions of this type are better-suited to users experienced and that have already defined what is expected of your operating system. This type of user already knows what to install, what not to install and how to proceed to let the system to your liking. The installation and the configuration of such systems will often require greater knowledge technical, requirements these, which usually take time to be acquired.
Ending
This article was written with the intention of helping the user beginner to choose the best Linux distribution for your needs, that is, the text does not choose the distribution to the user. Here, the tips and suggestions given are based on the experiences and situations encountered in forums and mailing lists about Linux. Also it is important to mention that when speaking of “ease of use/handling of Linux distributions”, there is not as match the definition of “easy” at all the individuals, because this is something that varies from person to person.
The choice of a Linux distribution is, above all, a personal matter. So, as a last tip, it is important the user consider what is the purpose of use of the system, what you want it to do, if the computer meets the requirements hardware of a distribution candidate for the use (in the sites officers are usually informed what the minimum requirements) and mainly have science that no distribution (in fact, no operating system is 100% perfect and free of faults or problems.
