Slashdot Mirror

Sure is a good thing that Linux doesn't have this problem.

indeed. this is a much easier decision.

But they are Linux ports! As to there being none, you didn't look very hard.

Foresight Linux 0.9 has just been announced in the last couple of hours, and not only is it the first distro to include stable Gnome 2.12, but also a whole stack of innovative bleeding edge Gnome apps that you won't find on your normal distro!

Foresight Linux will give you an appearance like this out of the box - and 0.9 has just been released with 2.12 stable!!

Or, you can choose the vastly superior Foresight Linux and avoid waiting a whole month just to use an antiquated package management system and a frigged-with version of Gnome 2.12...

What, "parental controls" options that will stop you from looking at even Janet Jackson Superbowl footage won't do any good here?

They have some sort of forensic software that does this.

Counting just the hits from the "Forensics" search category at http://distrowatch.com/ , there's Auditor Security Linux, Helix, Knoppix STD, and Penguin Sleuth Bootable CD; all of which are live CDs which an investigator could carry with them and the criminal would hence not be able to tamper with. Where's the Windows' live CD forensics disks?

I agree, there are some area where Linux still is trickier than competing systems (I use OS X).

Two examples, just off the top of my head:

1. Look at the list of Distros at Distrowatch: There are, by my count, 342 different distros. Now, choice is good and all, but I don't think you can say that having that many options makes it "easier" for an average user, much less a new user.
2. Look at the dependencies list for Gnumeric. 10 required dependencies, and 8 optional ones. Again, for the average user, this is a lot more complicated than running the Excel installer and having it install whatever it needs.

Linux is certainly getting easier to use, but as the parent stated, there's still enough of a learning curve to deter even fairly advanced users (I'm a computer engineer who's been using computers for the past 18 years, since I was 7)

Well, using , Debian is the most popular base for distributions. In fact, they list 129 distributions at this time that are based on Debian. This includes some rather heavy hitting distributions like Knoppix, MEPIS/SimplyMEPIS, and Ubuntu, as well as some nonstandard Debian distros like Xandros and Linspire (both of which make me feel dirty just for even mentioning them in the same breath as Debian).

However, most of those distros are binary compatable with Debian, with the exceptions of Xandros and Linspire, which take a bit of work. Yeah, even Ubuntu is compatable, if you can work out the library dependencies.

Well, using , Debian is the most popular base for distributions. In fact, they list 129 distributions at this time that are based on Debian. This includes some rather heavy hitting distributions like Knoppix, MEPIS/SimplyMEPIS, and Ubuntu, as well as some nonstandard Debian distros like Xandros and Linspire (both of which make me feel dirty just for even mentioning them in the same breath as Debian).

However, most of those distros are binary compatable with Debian, with the exceptions of Xandros and Linspire, which take a bit of work. Yeah, even Ubuntu is compatable, if you can work out the library dependencies.

Of all the major distributions, SuSE has always been ahead in supporting multimedia for the average user. As far as IMing, well, that shouldn't be any sort of a problem as long as GAIM or some other client finds it's way onto the install. Keep in mind that these applications may need updating, as is common practice on any system, obviously. This is where YaST helps a lot with easy upgrading. I personally don't like YaST for much else, but I'm a configuration file freak.

Note that http://forums.suselinuxsupport.de/lofiversion/inde x.php/t14991.html seems to indicate that 9.3 may not be as simple as I seem to remember SuSE being for multimedia, but in any case, mplayer has never failed me (Well, except for those win32codecs I miss a little bit).

Overall, your best bet would be to check out some reviews and see for yourself how the distribution's out-of-the-box experience is.

DistroWatch has everything what you need (not only for firewalls):

http://www.distrowatch.com/

Actually, I think that Linspire is well suited for technical reasons too. They provide a remarkably Windows-like environment which other distros go out of their way *not* to do. The result is an OS which is pretty familiar to the one in the student's household. With the added advantage of a full suite of programs and easy system management tools (which I hear are pretty good), then it's almost a drop in replacement for Windows.

Linspire also does a lot of "it-just-works" modifications. Check out Linspire's distrowatch page for some good overviews and reviews. So yes, they are good at marketing themselves, but I believe that marketing aside they would still be a good choice for schools to deploy.

There seems to be plenty of good, stable, free linux distributions available these days. Even SUSE is to be open sourced. And each school will need at least one person maintaing the computers no matter what they run. So, why would Indiana chose to pay for Linspire?

I'm really curious. Did I miss something?

...a new one-stop Linux distribution review site...

Am I the only one here who feels he just saw a paid advertisment on slashdot? Here is a better site linked to by slashdot a while back: http://distrowatch.com/

If you are lucky enough to live in the beautiful land of South Africa, you'll be pleased to know that you can obtain many popular Linux distributions and FreeBSD for free - from Freedom Toasters. Set up by the Shuttleworth Foundation in various public places across the country, these "vending machines with a touch screen" provide the ability to burn copies of most major distributions on blank CDs or DVDs. The available distributions include the latest versions of Debian, Fedora, FreeBSD, Gentoo, Impi Linux, Knoppix, Mandriva, Slackware, SUSE, as well as CDs containing popular open source projects, such as OpenOffice.org.

>So what will Linux do that Windows can't already do?
>Will it wash my car? Make a nice scrambled egg and
>bacon? Still has a web browser. Still has an email
>program. Still point and click.

It might not wash your car, but you *could* set up a home security/surveillance system with it if you got some cameras/sensors and wanted to. Also, there are a number of experimental robots in existence running Linux now, so if you were smart enough on the hardware end you very well possibly *could* build something that could wash a car...same for the egg and bacon. There's a HOWTO in existence for a Linux-powered coffee machine.

>Perhaps the decision makers of Linux should focus
>on newer ways of doing things.

You mean like this, this, this, or maybe this?

>So where is the free folks? Only a matter of time
>before licensing fees are added.

Been here recently?

Not to be antagonistic, but before forming an opinion, you might want to do some actual research to base it on first. This is one of the most ignorant comments I've seen for a long time.

Oops!
Forget the last slash:

http://distrowatch.com/stats.php?section=freedom

Distrowatch has a page discussing the "freeness" (I know, not a word) of various linux distros:

http://distrowatch.com/stats.php?section=freedom/

Linspire is listed under "4".

I think those days are over...

The PC-BSD project makes it a snap to install a functioning FreeBSD system. DistroWatch mentions a very nice step-by-step guide to installation process but really, you don't even need that if you are already handy at installing various GNU/Linux distros. (Although the guide does go into some custom configuration things that are useful/interesting.)

The torrent for PC-BSD is ready to roll, give it a try. Now there are no more excuses ;-)

Might I suggest 'Beatrix'? It is based off of Ubuntu, (meaning .deb packages) and is only 200 MB in size. I don't know how Gnome is with printers though...

the link
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=beat rix

You could try one of the many GNU/Linux LiveCD distributions available. Some i recommend: Slax, SimplyMEPIS, PCLinuxOS, Ubuntu and ofcourse, Knoppix. Just in case you dont know, they work right off the CD/DVD drive, you dont have to install anything and you dont risk screwing anything up. Just insert the cd, boot from it, and get to know those beatiful Linux desktops available :) Regards.

In particular, it shoud

• not be named after the packager and his girlfriend (no offense intended, Deb and Ian)
• not have it's up-to-date release be called "unstable" or "testing"
• not be named after the end-users nor users of drugs like "user linux" (no offense Bruce)
• should not be named "humanity, caring, and harmony" in any language (no offense to the Ubuntu guys; but CEO's would probably something that implies 'unfair competitive advantage' rather than charitable sharing.
• not contain any swear words (damn small linux, etc).
• not to start with K or G just based on the packager's desktop religion-flamewar (no offense gnoppix and kubuntu)

The apt suite is Debian's package management system. Actually, I'm not sure if Red Hat came up with RPM or not. RPM.org isn't immediately clear on that point. But Red Hat is the distribution most strongly associated with RPM. I wish I could offer a comparison, but I couldn't offer a fair one. I tried Red Hat a few years ago and fell into "dependency hell," which is when a package manager can't figure out what needs to be installed. But this was several years ago. From what I gather, RPM is much better now. I've had no reason to switch from Debian though, so I haven't tried it since. Still, apt is nice. :-)

Strictly speaking, "ricer" is a racist term for asian youths who extensively modify their cars. The term has been picked up other uses to mean people who obsessively customize to gain minimal performance benefits. Gentoo is a source based distribution (for the most part) -- as such, the user must compile the software he plans on using. Gentoo was designed to facilitate easy optimization for your hardware/needs during the compile phase. This tends to cause much obsessiveness among its users.

I don't know what your goals are for Linux, but for desktop use, it would be hard to go wrong with Ubuntu. Debian is great for just about everything, but ideally you'd have some more experience (or enough patience to RTFM enough to ask smart questions). There are obviously other great distributions. Once you figure out what your needs are, check out http://www.distrowatch.com/ to help you pick a distribution.

I'm not trying to be an anti-linux jerk, i'm just wondering what Ubuntu has to offer that isn't in another distro already.

I haven't tried Ubuntu yet, but I think they must be doing something right, given they're the fastest growing Linux distro.

It does seem unoptimal though to have so much fragmentation, so much reinventing of the wheel. OTOH, each new company that tries their hand at the market, potentially improves Linux in some way permanently. Development would probably be faster if companies/governments could coordinate efforts better (especially of crucial projects like OpenOffice), but getting so many different groups to cooperate is tough, and everyone seems to want a shot at the limelight.

In the spirit of freedom of choice (or whatever you want to call it), http://distrowatch.com/ might be a more suitable URL.

If you think compiling from source is where the future is, I am truly sorry for you. The people at Debian have done some really good things, including apt and dpkg. Without these distribution tools for binary packages for Debian, Debian and its spinoffs would certainly be dead. Remember that the developers for Debian spend most of there time testing these packages and repackaging them into deb packages so no one HAS to compile from source. Also, Debian has spawned some great distros to follow in its footsteps that make the linux experience something that you can teach to your average computer user. If you take your time to learn more about Ubuntu you'll realize that there is another layer of package editing and testing between you and the Debian folks and perhaps you'll be convinced that the mess you talk about doesn't exist. Debian derivatives are some of the most prominent distros right now with Ubuntu having the most hits (and still rising) on http://www.distrowatch.com/. Give that a try before you write off Debian completely.

As for the rest of you people, how about just answering the question before you flame and ridicule it? Creating software for the handicapped isn't something to hoot down...it is a fascinating, rewarding challenge. One met sometimes by the handicapped themselves...let's see YOU be so clever when you have Cerebral Palsy, can't talk, and can only type with your feet!

That was hard wasn't it

Actually, yes it was. It was hard because, just like not everyone uses Mac OS or Windows, not everyone uses Debian . (If it's any consolation to the bruise your ego just took, I don't use RPM-based distros.)

arielmt@cleopatra:~$ augur grimoire | grep -i aac
faac
arielmt@cleopatra:~$ augur what faac
Long description for faac:
faac is an implementation of MPEG-2 and NBC/MPEG-4.
faac is an implementation of a part of one or more MPEG-2 NBC/MPEG-4 Audio tools as specified by the MPEG-2 NBC/MPEG-4 Audio standard.
arielmt@cleopatra:~$

Do you see AAC in there? Aside from the terse name, I don't. I use Deb-based distros now, but not at the time. At the time, when I ripped my collection, AAC was more underreported than even Ogg. It was MP3, WMA, Real (which, as an aside, is the least real-sounding of all), or Ogg. AAC was basically nothing until iTunes and the iPod.

So you can see, I hope, how I could've missed your informative correction. Thank you for the correction.

There are a few OSS firewall distros out now that give you all the firewall features w/o all the by hand set up. I've been looking at IP Cop lately although I am still using a home grown Linux firewall.
http://www.ipcop.org/
You can find more firewall distros on distrowatch's web site.
http://distrowatch.com/

I wouldn't count on that actualy
http://www.bookandhost.com/domains/countrydomains/ bf.asp
http://www.urjaonline.com/web-hosting-Burkina-Faso .asp
http://distrowatch.com/stats.php?section=countries &country=BF
http://www.linuxcompatible.org/French_Ministry_of_ Foreign_Affairs_and_Mandrakesoft_launch_...._s3526 5.html
Not all totally about linux or not totally up to date , but it does show that in Burkina Faso that linux has made some impact , so i would expect that server use is up to some extent though i couldn't give you hard figures without commissioning a study

I won't even mention the greengrocers' apostrophes.

distrowatch doesn't do what this guy's trying to do, which is to produce a brief, easy to read, and easy to understand summary of the biggest distros.

It does: http://distrowatch.com/major

.. to have another source of information about a great OS. http://www.distrowatch.com/ is great too.

For a less biased review site, check out Distrowatch. They also link to independent reviews.

Another option is to get a userfriendly linux distro and boot into that and then dont even touch windows. There is a website at http://distrowatch.com/ that gives steps for doing this.

P.S IMHO ubuntu is pretty darn userfriendly, but some people dont like others mentioning that name, so therefore I shall refer to it as the u-distro.

There are still TONS.

It isnt one of the top20 distributions. It typically hangs at around 50th on the distrowatch rankings. Here is the distrowatch page for lycoris.

Even the CHOICE isn't simple, anymore!

Keeerraighps!

DistroWatch's x86_64 tagged *active* distros

31 entries!!?!?

x86-64 Knoppix, though, hehehe. . .

I wonder if giving the distrowatch link is an attempt to boost the Page Hit Ranking at distrowatch. Hmmm...

You're missing the whole point of Debian, I'm afraid. Let's take a recent analogy: Debian is like the Doom3 of OSs, excellent graphics (awsome stability), crap gameplay (ugly installer). Having said that, check out http://distrowatch.com/ and you'll see that Debian doesn't need more market share. Debian and its clones (e.g. Ubuntu, Knoppix, Mepis and countless others) always rank in the top 5-6 most downloaded distros. Hoping not to drag the game analogy too far, one might say that Debian is like the Quake3 of OSs in that more games are built on top of Quake3 than any other game in the same way as more Linux flavours (some prefer distros) are based on Debaian than anything else.

Because there can never be enough.

I don't know if it's the same technology, but there is a Linux ditribution named "Oralux" :
Audio GNU/Linux distro for visually impaired persons

site: http://oralux.org/
DistroWatch: http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=oral ux

Oren Maurer

http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mand rake

Notice it's KDE default throughout the existence of Mandrake.

I'm not sure about that. It seems to me that Microsoft needs the EU more than the EU needs microsoft. If MS pulled out of the EU they certainly would both be hurt, but the EU would fund alternatives, such as the European Commission did with AGNULA. The damage to MS would be severe in regards to their sales. Imagine how much money MS makes in the EU -it would become zero.

Nope, just the very tip of the iceberg.

From the LXer feed earlier today: " It might sound like an exaggeration, but I receive an average of 2 - 3 requests per week to include a new distribution. "

Just to get an idea of the level of fragmentation that's taking place. That there's a 90-day waiting period so that they don't add distros that are dead the next day speaks volumes too.

Also click on the dropdown menu at the top of the Distrowatch page to get a more complete list of available distros.

err ..
have you tried another distro?
Why does everyone assume Linux is the first distro they install?

My guess goes with Ubuntu! Check out http://www.distrowatch.com/ on the right side of the page is a list of the top 100 linux distros (by download) right now. At the top of the menu, you can adjust the rankings according so that listings are ranked based on information only from the last week, or month, or 6 months. I've been watching this list for six months, and Ubuntu is really doing well.

4.10 warty

Release Date - 2004/10/20