Linux Guide/Distributions

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A distribution is a type of Linux. Linux comes in a large number of distributions, some of which are designed for everyday use, and others designed with a specific task or device in mind.

Most Linux distributions have a special type of CD, called a live CD. If you insert this CD and then restart your computer, the live CD will run Linux on the computer while avoiding changing anything on your computer as much as possible. For example it won't normally install any files on your PC, but run only from the CD. This will make it run more slowly than a proper installation.

[edit] Installable distributions

Arch Linux - A minimalistic and lightweight i686 optimized distribution that caters to the experienced Linux user.

Debian Linux - Contains a lot of packages, easy to use and update (consider also sidux).

Fedora Linux - Free version of Red Hat Linux.

Gentoo Linux - Offers four levels of installation, very time consuming, but easy to upgrade. Used mainly by advanced users.

Linux From Scratch - This page details how to build a Linux system without relying on any particular distribution. For experts only.

Linux Mint - Makes Ubuntu easier with improved hardware detection and scripts.

Mandriva Linux - Formerly known as Mandrake. Easy to install and use.

MEPIS Linux - Debian-based distribution with superb hardware support and a rich Live CD environment. Comes in two flavors: SimplyMEPIS for the regular desktop users and ProMEPIS for use in a more commercial environment.

openSuSE Linux - Distribution designed mostly for business, but very user friendly and easy to pick up and use.

PCLinuxOS - Very popular for beginners.

Red Hat Linux - Commercial distribution (but see centOS) designed mostly for business, yet also usable for individuals.

Sabayon Linux - Gentoo Linux based distribution that focuses on newest technologies. Uses 3D desktop by default, even when booting from Live CD.

Slackware Linux - One of the first Linux distributions. It has a pretty easy installation, but a bit of knowledge would be useful.

Ubuntu Linux - The most successful and popular desktop distro based on Debian. Uses the GNOME Desktop Environment and has frequent updates. Easy to use and install. The Ubuntu team will send you Ubuntu CDs at no charge. Ubuntu Linux has different variations:

  • Kubuntu: Uses KDE instead of GNOME.
  • Xubuntu: A light-weight version of Ubuntu that uses Xfce instead of GNOME. This version is useful for less powerful PC's and for people who want a simple interface.
  • Edubuntu: Distribution designed for educational purposes.
  • Fluxbuntu: Uses the Fluxbox Desktop Environment.
  • Studio: Distribution designed for multimedia production.

Baltix GNU/Linux - Very popular in Baltic countries Ubuntu based Linux distribution. Optimized for Baltic sea region users.

Xandros Linux - Commercial distribution for anyone from businesses, to individuals. Easy to install, and use.

[edit] Live CDs

Below is a small list of the many of different distributions available for download:

Live CDs don't need to be installed to your hard drive for you to use them. Besides letting you test Linux easily, they are useful as system repair or recovery disks. Just set your system BIOS to boot from CD, insert the disk into your CD-ROM drive, restart you computer, and Linux should boot up hassle free.

Damn Small Linux - A Linux distro so small it can be carried on a business card sized CD or USB key. Now you can take Linux with you everywhere. Hard drive install is also available and easy.

Dyne:bolic A Linux distro designed to run multimedia production applications on very low system requirement (Pentium MMX with 64 MB RAM), allows user to access the popular free production software (Ardour, Audacity) without having to install Linux permanently.

Knoppix - Most popular live CD, based on Debian. Knoppix is a great live CD for giving a Linux demo or for general desktop use. Knoppix runs KDE and is packed with applications of all sorts. Thanks to compression, the CD contains 2 GB of packages. Knoppix can also be installed to a hard drive (but see Kanotix).

Morphix - Morphix is designed to be a highly customizable live CD. There are four basic versions of it: Light GUI, GNOME, KDE and Gamer. Each version leaves at least a couple hundred megs for you to add

Puppy Linux - Popular for beginners. Like Damn Small Linux, Puppy Linux runs fast on old hardware.

Sabayon - Is a Linux distro that has a liveCD and a liveDVD. The liveCD is designed to give the user a functioning minimal installation with while the liveDVD includes a vast assortment of packages.

Slax - Slackware based live CD, which can also be installed on FAt32 USB key.

SimplyMEPIS - A great Debian-based live CD. SimplyMEPIS is a complete desktop Linux including KDE and the lighter IceWM desktop, OpenOffice, Mozilla-Firefox, Skype, kphone for VOIP, GIMP2, and Xine among 2Gb of compressed applications.

[edit] External links

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