Ubuntu : the best distro for dummies?

Precambrian · 05-02-2009, 01:34 AM

Hi,

I am a dummy when it comes to trying out OSes different from Windows. However I would like to experience one, and understand why they are so talked about.

A cursory glance over some websites and tutorials led me to believe that Ubuntu is the best distro of Linux to start with, particularly for dummies.

I also understand that there is a parallel KDE based Kubuntu available as well.

So, please suggest me which is the better distro, or is there anything which is better than Ubuntu altogether?

dontcloseyoureyes · 05-02-2009, 01:47 AM

If you're not going to program then just use Windows.

Athlai · 05-02-2009, 01:53 AM

Hey mate, as your into film and stuff you should look at the ol' Mac. Certainly the best for film editing.

Precambrian · 05-02-2009, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Athlai

Hey mate, as your into film and stuff you should look at the ol' Mac. Certainly the best for film editing.

Certainly. I did some base research and found how useful Mac has been. But as of now my hands are full with my work and my PG. So atleast 2 years before I plunge into films and stuff seriously.

As DCYE said, might as well consider it later as I am not using it to program anyway. But I remain interested and intrigued though.

Athlai · 05-02-2009, 02:07 AM

Well if you aren't going to program (as Smitteh noted) and plan to delve in films at a later date.

Mac's work.

silentstriker · 05-02-2009, 03:49 AM

Ubuntu is based on Debian, so it has a solid base. It's probably the best one to start off with.

NZTailender · 05-02-2009, 04:03 AM

Yeah ubuntu is the way to go for someone's first Linux distro. But basically what Smith said.

Top_Cat · 05-02-2009, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dontcloseyoureyes

If you're not going to program then just use Windows.

DWTA. I use Ubuntu on two of my machines (the other's a Mac) and, tbh, there are very few default coding tools anyway. It was easier than Windows to install video codecs and keep them up-to-date as well as being at least equally easy on a bunch of other things.

The bug issues comes from hardware support. You do still have to get to know your distro a bit to tool around installing some boutique hardware but generally, it supports most vid cards out of the box.

Games, however, are a different matter entirely...... but one thing's for sure, there's nothing I can do in Windows I can't do in Ubuntu (other than games). And, I might add, there are a bunch of things which are simpler. Windows definitely looks far better, though.

Precambrian · 05-02-2009, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top_Cat

DWTA. I use Ubuntu on two of my machines (the other's a Mac) and, tbh, there are very few default coding tools anyway. It was easier than Windows to install video codecs and keep them up-to-date as well as being at least equally easy on a bunch of other things.

The bug issues comes from hardware support. You do still have to get to know your distro a bit to tool around installing some boutique hardware but generally, it supports most vid cards out of the box.

Games, however, are a different matter entirely...... but one thing's for sure, there's nothing I can do in Windows I can't do in Ubuntu (other than games). And, I might add, there are a bunch of things which are simpler. Windows definitely looks far better, though.

So which one is better? Kubuntu or Ubuntu or the underrated Xubuntu? I've placed order for Kubuntu and Ubuntu, as my bandwidth charges don;t allow me to download huge chunks, (which in one way I imposed upon myself to get out of watching pr0n).

Ikki · 05-02-2009, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top_Cat

DWTA. I use Ubuntu on two of my machines (the other's a Mac) and, tbh, there are very few default coding tools anyway. It was easier than Windows to install video codecs and keep them up-to-date as well as being at least equally easy on a bunch of other things.

The bug issues comes from hardware support. You do still have to get to know your distro a bit to tool around installing some boutique hardware but generally, it supports most vid cards out of the box.

Games, however, are a different matter entirely...... but one thing's for sure, there's nothing I can do in Windows I can't do in Ubuntu (other than games). And, I might add, there are a bunch of things which are simpler. Windows definitely looks far better, though.

Windows looks better than Ubuntu? I beg to differ. You tried out Compiz? Astonishing beauty there.

I have just installed Ubuntu on an old PC I had with some old hardware and it runs so much smoother than Windows. I just have a little audio problem, if anyone is knowledgeable I'd appreciate the help!

If you want a computer that "just works" and is simple but powerful...get a Mac.

NUFAN · 05-02-2009, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Precambrian

Hi,

I am a dummy

Stopped reading after this point.

Precambrian · 05-02-2009, 07:12 AM

Good one.

silentstriker · 05-02-2009, 12:04 PM

Get Enlightenment, looks awesome (to me anyway).

Top_Cat · 05-02-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Precambrian

So which one is better? Kubuntu or Ubuntu or the underrated Xubuntu? I've placed order for Kubuntu and Ubuntu, as my bandwidth charges don;t allow me to download huge chunks, (which in one way I imposed upon myself to get out of watching pr0n).

Depends on so many things but my advice would be to try them all, it's not hard (althought not without some effort) to install one then change the window manager. I notice Lunus himself has moved away from KDE because he didn't like changes in the new version so take from that what you will. Gnome, used in Ubuntu, was always about functionality over bling. KDE was more about the bling and heaps of apps, XFCE is one of the many, many light window managers.

Just bear in mind, the look of the distro in Linux is nothing but the window manager and associated applications. The guts of the system is the same (largely) for all of them.

Myself I use Ubuntu but Kbuntu looked reasonable last time I tried it. I once installed Xubuntu on a low-end machine and it was pretty solid too. Bit too much work to administer, though, and it was for lack of time I stopped using Slackware anyway so didn't see the point in installing an OS I'd have to even moderately administer. So Ubuntu it was for me. Just watch out for the full system upgrade; Canonical still don't have that right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ikki

Windows looks better than Ubuntu? I beg to differ. You tried out Compiz? Astonishing beauty there.

I remember giving it a try aaaaaaaaaaaaaaages ago but just had a quick look and it does look speccy. Might have to give it another go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ikki

I have just installed Ubuntu on an old PC I had with some old hardware and it runs so much smoother than Windows. I just have a little audio problem, if anyone is knowledgeable I'd appreciate the help!

Details/logs si vous plais?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ikki

If you want a computer that "just works" and is simple but powerful...get a Mac.

Got one and it's had its fair share of app and system crashes although I'm happy with it overall. The myth that Macs 'just work' is just that. There's no BSOD, of course, but if you use an app which isn't terribly resource-hungry like, say, Garage Band, running any other bit of software even as light as a web browser is a bit of a nightmare. No swap file is a bit of a disadvantage there because of the RAM limit, in my case, 1.25Gb.

Mac don't do audio software as well as they used to, either. So many engineers don't use Macs any more, preferring Windows + Cubase instead of the usual Mac + Pro Tools.

Quote:

Originally Posted by silentstriker

Get Enlightenment, looks awesome (to me anyway).

Most guys I know who spruik Enlightenment are also RPG players. Nerds, the lot of ya.

dontcloseyoureyes · 05-02-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top_Cat

Most guys I know who spruik Enlightenment are also RPG players. Nerds, the lot of ya.

Might give it a try....

05-02-2009, 01:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
Precambrian Banned Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rahmaniverse Posts: 7,358	Ubuntu : the best distro for dummies? Hi, I am a dummy when it comes to trying out OSes different from Windows. However I would like to experience one, and understand why they are so talked about. A cursory glance over some websites and tutorials led me to believe that Ubuntu is the best distro of Linux to start with, particularly for dummies. I also understand that there is a parallel KDE based Kubuntu available as well. So, please suggest me which is the better distro, or is there anything which is better than Ubuntu altogether?

05-02-2009, 01:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
dontcloseyoureyes BARNES OUT Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: WILDCARD, BITCHES Posts: 27,723	If you're not going to program then just use Windows. __________________ The one, the only CW Black Code: 47.3 W Coppinger to Heads Smacked the ball straight into the groin of Iwuajoku who has fallen over, miraculously with the ball still caught in his scrotal area! Out! TO OUR FOREFATHERS

05-02-2009, 04:03 AM	#7 (permalink)
NZTailender Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand Posts: 19,047	Yeah ubuntu is the way to go for someone's first Linux distro. But basically what Smith said. __________________ President of SKAS - Kat is King \| Proud member of CVAAS - One of the best \| LRPLTAS - Rosco rocks! The NZTailender Supporting XI: L Vincent, H Rutherford, N Broom, Craig Cachopa, D Brownlie, BJ Watling, D de Boorder+, I Sodhi, B Wheeler, H Bennett, A Milne Go Tigers! R.I.P. Fardin & Craig

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05-02-2009, 02:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
Athlai Request Your Custom Title Now! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wellywood, NZ Posts: 26,001	Well if you aren't going to program (as Smitteh noted) and plan to delve in films at a later date. Mac's work.

05-02-2009, 07:12 AM	#12 (permalink)
Precambrian Banned Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rahmaniverse Posts: 7,358	Good one.

05-02-2009, 12:04 PM	#13 (permalink)
silentstriker The Wheel is Forever Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 36,550	Get Enlightenment, looks awesome (to me anyway).

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