Linux users, which distro and why?

[SpAc3man]

As far as I can tell this topic hasn't been posted in a while so I thought I would bring it up.
Which Linux distribution do you Linux users currently use? Why do you like it? Which distros have you tried? Any Linux adventures planned? You get the idea.

I will go first. I am a relatively new Linux user.
First distro I used was Ubuntu 10.04 on the lab computers at university. I started because it was a requirement to write my C++ programming for assignments etc on Ubuntu and compile with the g++ compiler. I like Ubuntu out of being familiar with it and its easy to use nature. I haven't drifted far from it. I am still getting used to the Unity UI on newer releases however.

My favourite distro has been Linux Mint for quite a while now. Mostly because it is Ubuntu underneath but with a layout I like better. Mint 12 is the current distro I have on my bootable USB. I recommend Mint over Ubuntu for Windows users wanting to have a look at Linux.

I have tried Kubuntu and Xubuntu. I didn't like Xubuntu much. I love the extra functionality that Kubuntu offers with KDE over Gnome but I found everything to be not as intuitive as I would like.

I have briefly had a go at Debian but not enough to have much of a formed opinion. Seems like I will enjoy it from what I have seen.

Next stops will be Fedora and openSUSE. If I have time between work and summer before uni starts again I would like to have a crack at a Gentoo adventure. Been reading the handbook and it looks like great fun.

 

[JesterRaiin]

- Which Linux distribution do you Linux users currently use?
Zentyal (server)
ClearOS (server)
Debian (server)
MineOS (server
Mint, xUbuntu, Ubuntu (workstations)
JoliOS (workstation, note/netbooks)
Quimo (kidergarten - kids love it)
Caine, Trinity (rescue, tools)

- Why do you like it?
Flexible, easy to use, good support, free - it's enough for me.

- Which distros have you tried?
Pick any. I tried it at least for a moment.

- Any Linux adventures planned?
Migrate from Ubuntu-based distros to something else. I don't know what i'll try. Arch/Sabayon, CentOS/Fedora. AriOS seems nice but with the way world is, i'm not sure if it won't be cancelled some time in the future.

P.S.
I'm a lazy user. I know sh*t, i learn what i have to know to run and maintain those machines in relatively good shape. The rest - i don't give a damn.

 

[Esotera]

The latest Ubuntu for my daily needs (I like unity and ease of use). I started off in 9.04 with g++ but have since migrated over to glorious Python.

Tried out:
- Puppy Linux (xfce was broken, otherwise very nice)
- Debian (briefly)
- Red Hat (on a weekly basis)
- GParted live (technically a distro)

As for Linux adventures, I'm planning on getting a Raspberry Pi with Debian, revamping an old computer to run old ROMs (also probably Debian), and maybe someday my current laptop. Spend too much time studying/developing though ^_^

 

[JesterRaiin]

revamping an old computer to run old ROMs (also probably Debian)

<link=http://antix.mepis.org/index.php?title=Main_Page>AntiX ?

and maybe someday my current laptop

How about some distros aimed especially at notebooks then ?
You'll get a ton of useful apps and tweaks out of box...
<link=http://www.jolicloud.com/download>JoliOS comes to mind.
So does
EasyPeasy,
Meego
or E17 based Bodhi

OpenSuse and Ubuntu feature spin offs aimed at notebooks, but i don't think they are that good...

 

[Esotera]

revamping an old computer to run old ROMs (also probably Debian)

<link=http://antix.mepis.org/index.php?title=Main_Page>AntiX ?

It's not that old, but I'll definitely be giving that a try, looks like a neat distro.

and maybe someday my current laptop

How about some distros aimed especially at notebooks then ?
You'll get a ton of useful apps and tweaks out of box...
<link=http://www.jolicloud.com/download>JoliOS comes to mind.
So does
EasyPeasy,
Meego
or E17 based Bodhi

OpenSuse and Ubuntu feature spin offs aimed at notebooks, but i don't think they are that good...

It's a relatively powerful laptop & is basically my development environment where I test out stuff on Windows/Ubuntu. Also I'm not particularly into the whole cloud fad, so probably won't be changing it for some time. I've heard great things about Bodhi Linux though!

 

[JesterRaiin]

revamping an old computer to run old ROMs (also probably Debian)

<link=http://antix.mepis.org/index.php?title=Main_Page>AntiX ?

It's not that old, but I'll definitely be giving that a try, looks like a neat distro.

Ah, sorry. I have a few cases of Intel Celeron 400-500 Mhz computers working to this day and thought you're talking about something similar.

and maybe someday my current laptop

How about some distros aimed especially at notebooks then ?
You'll get a ton of useful apps and tweaks out of box...
<link=http://www.jolicloud.com/download>JoliOS comes to mind.
So does
EasyPeasy,
Meego
or E17 based Bodhi

OpenSuse and Ubuntu feature spin offs aimed at notebooks, but i don't think they are that good...

It's a relatively powerful laptop & is basically my development environment where I test out stuff on Windows/Ubuntu. Also I'm not particularly into the whole cloud fad, so probably won't be changing it for some time. I've heard great things about Bodhi Linux though!

Mostly, "cloud" distros feature only integration with some services and additional shortcuts in menu. For example JoliOS allows you to use google docs or dropbox like additional partition. But underneath of such stuff it's still Linux, console etc. Even such distributions like Peppermint OS are nothing more than "Penguin with shortcuts".

Bodhi is damn fast, quite beautiful, but it lacks out-of-box applications. You'll have to install at least a few before you'll be able to work. Still, it's fun thing to do, so why not ?

 

[Nicragomi]

I'm a Network Security Specialist and I use stuff like Backtrack, Helix, and the Knoppix STD (Security Tool Distribution). But, at home, I use Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS, Gentoo, and any form of Knoppix.

As for my favorite... I can't really say, I just love Linux overall and would recommend them all!

 

[SpAc3man]

snip

What's MineOS like for usability?
My 12 year old sister has taken to running her own Minecraft server after I showed her how. I was going to move it to an ESXi host once I have it running later this year. So she can have it going 24/7. Still deciding on an OS to use.

 

[JesterRaiin]

snip

What's MineOS like for usability?
My 12 year old sister has taken to running her own Minecraft server after I showed her how. I was going to move it to an ESXi host once I have it running later this year. So she can have it going 24/7. Still deciding on an OS to use.

My server works for a small, local community consisting of maybe 20 players. It's very easy to both install and run. And well... It works.
It was never attacked, there were no attempts to either block it or take it down, and players are happy with its performance. So i really can't say more about it than...

<youtube=xos2MnVxe-c>

 

[SpAc3man]

Got myself a new 16GB flash drive today. Loading it up as a portable Linux multiboot drive.

 

[TechieBoy]

If you are new, try out Ubuntu first. After you get the hang of it try out Debian. Most people like Debian better than Ubuntu.

 

[JesterRaiin]

Most people like Debian better than Ubuntu.

This statement is debatable. Just look at <link=http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=popularity>statistics
Also, Debian and Ubuntu finds its users in different sectors...

 

[Varitel]

I only use Linux at work, where I use Fedora, since it just so happens to be the distribution that we have in the lab. However, I do like it a lot. I use that partition mostly for C programming.

 

[Arnoxthe1]

Definitely Gentoo. It's the definitive customizable Linux with a sweet package management system. It's very configurable but not overly so like Linux From Scratch although LFS definitely is great for the much more advanced users.

 

[TechieBoy]

Most people like Debian better than Ubuntu.

This statement is debatable. Just look at <link=http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=popularity>statistics
Also, Debian and Ubuntu finds its users in different sectors...

Ya you are right! I also find Gentoo good as suggested by Arnoxthe1

 

[evilneko]

I was a Debian user, but decided to try Ubuntu when I retired my Debian box.

Currently I intend to go back to Debian as I'm somewhat annoyed with the problems I've had with Ubuntu.

 

[Wyld Fyre]

MINT cause it is delicious.

 

[JesterRaiin]

Definitely Gentoo. It's the definitive customizable Linux with a sweet package management system. It's very configurable but not overly so like Linux From Scratch although LFS definitely is great for the much more advanced users.

Ya you are right! I also find Gentoo good as suggested by Arnoxthe1

Gentoo is one of those distribution that require knowledge about computer and the way it works. I think it's not good recommendation for someone who says :

My favourite distro has been Linux Mint for quite a while now

Obviously we're speaking about normal user, not some kind of veteran and Gentoo... Well, it's for veterans without any doubt !

I was a Debian user, but decided to try Ubuntu when I retired my Debian box.

Currently I intend to go back to Debian as I'm somewhat annoyed with the problems I've had with Ubuntu.

Then how about <link=http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=1818>MINTIAN ?

 

[ewhac]

You're a little vague on what you want to do. Different distros are "tuned" differently based on the expected usage pattern.

I'm currently using straight Debian on both my laptop and desktop.

First distro I used was Ubuntu 10.04 on the lab computers at university.

First distro I ever used was Slackware. However, the inability to easily upgrade software packages led me to Debian (RedHat's RPM packaging had too many problems tracking dependencies correctly).

I have briefly had a go at Debian but not enough to have much of a formed opinion. Seems like I will enjoy it from what I have seen.

Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu, and others [http://www.debian.org/misc/children-distros] are all Debian underneath (just with different package loadouts). You can take a base Debian installation and then drop GNOME, KDE, Xfce, LXDE, Enlightenment, or any other desktop environment on top of it. Hell, install them all and switch between them to see which you like best.

If I have time between work and summer before uni starts again I would like to have a crack at a Gentoo adventure. Been reading the handbook and it looks like great fun.

Yes, Gentoo is for the Truly Studly .

 

[TechieBoy]

Definitely Gentoo. It's the definitive customizable Linux with a sweet package management system. It's very configurable but not overly so like Linux From Scratch although LFS definitely is great for the much more advanced users.

Ya you are right! I also find Gentoo good as suggested by Arnoxthe1

Gentoo is one of those distribution that require knowledge about computer and the way it works. I think it's not good recommendation for someone who says :

My favourite distro has been Linux Mint for quite a while now

Obviously we're speaking about normal user, not some kind of veteran and Gentoo... Well, it's for veterans without any doubt !

I was a Debian user, but decided to try Ubuntu when I retired my Debian box.

Currently I intend to go back to Debian as I'm somewhat annoyed with the problems I've had with Ubuntu.

Then how about <link=http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=1818>MINTIAN ?

In the end, use Ubuntu for newbies as well as pro's