Linux Distros for a Windows Software Developer?

Omega1045 asks: "I am a software developer, writing client/GUI software in C# (.NET) on Windows and server software in a UNIX environment. I have used Linux in the past as a firewall, server and more but have never used it seriously as a desktop. What Linux distro and tools should I look to for a switch? I definitely still need to run Win2k (in a VM would be preferable) for testing and other purposes, but want to live as much of my monitor facing life as I can in Linux. I also need the best laptop and Wireless PC Card support (D-Link in my case) from the distro I choose. Have any Slashdot readers gone this route? What are your recommendations?"

Comments

Why switch?

[Anonymous Coward]

What are the reasons for switching? If Windows' right for you, you should stick to it. Specially if you're writing C#!

Start with Knoppix

[darnok]

I'd start with Knoppix, as it has great hardware detection, a large selection of out-of-the-box apps that will meet most peoples' requirements, and has the huge Debian repository sitting behind it if/when you want to install extra stuff or keep versions of your existing stuff up to date.

I'm sure MandrakeMove is going to be about the same, but Knoppix would be my "default" choice simply because I've had great experiences with it to date.

I use Knoppix on my main development PC at home; works great and it takes about an hour to fully rebuild it from bare metal if/when I get the inclination. That hour includes the time to:
- apt-get update,
- install netselect-apt & run it to find the fastest repository
- apt-get update again from the fast repository
- apt-get upgrade to bring everything up to date
- install a few other things like Postgres, Zope etc.

Re:Start with Knoppix

[TheWanderingHermit]

Knoppix is great, but if you don't know what you're doing, it can be difficult to transfer it to a hard drive. Sometimes it's an easy install, but if it isn't, it can be a real hell. I've seen it, and it's not a pretty sight.

Re:Start with Knoppix

[darnok]

That was true, but it's steadily improved over the past several months. The current installer ('knoppix-installer'? - don't have it at my fingertips) has made things simpler still. Of course, like anything else, it's a relative thing; for any specific user, it may be either too hard or ridiculously easy at any point in time.

By the way, the original poster mentioned doing development with C#. I've been playing with Mono on my Knoppix-installed dev PC at home for a while now, and it works fine. Not sure if the original poster would be interested in Mono or not (...and I'm not sure if *I* am or not!), but I figured it might be worth a mention.

You won't use just one distro...

[TheWanderingHermit]

You'll want to change. I'm sure, by the time I finsih this, someone will have jumped in and say, "Debian," since Debian-ites seem to think there is only one distro. (And, to be honest, I'd recommend it in part, but more later.)

I'd suggest Mandrake to start with, since it is actually easier to install than Windows XP. It's easy to use, and it has URPMI, so it is MUCH easier to upgrade on EVERY PACKAGE than Red Hat or Suse. Then I'd bear in mind that this is just your first use of any distro, and that you'll get a chance to find out the strengths and weaknesses of it, and you'll move on.

After you've had a chance to get used to Linux, and are looking for something more powerful, try Libranet. Libranet is based on Debian, but without the impossible install (Debian-ites will say the install is easier, but that's relative. It's easier than it was, which means it's easier than getting a root canal.) Since Libranet is about to publish a new version, you can get 2.8.1, which is what I've been using on a few boxen, for free at their site. When their next version (3.0) comes out, you can easily upgrade to that version with one or two commands.

I've made my recommendations based on what is easy to start with, and on the general principle that after you get used to Linux, you'll most likely want to try something different. Debian is easy to upgrade and maintain, but even Libranet can be hard to install for someone who hasn't been using Linux for a good while.

I know there are other easy to install distros (like Linspire and Lycoris), but Mandrake is the only easy-to-install-and-maintain distro that is "mainline" in terms of including all the goodies Linuxers want on their system.

And, to anticipate comments that Mandrake is too easy, made for beginners, or doesn't let you have fine control over settings, ANY distro lets you have as fine a control over settings as you want. Some have easy to use config panels (like Mandrake's "Mandrake Control Center"), but in ANY distro, you can bypass their control panel and edit all the config files by hand, if you want. -- So it's not going to take away control, it just makes it easier for someone who isn't already a full time Linuxer to install, setup, configure, and maintain.

Not the easiest approach but...Gentoo

[ChaseTec]

I'm a Java developer so I didn't need the VM stuff but I've gone from doing development on a Windows laptop to the same system with Linux. Gentoo is a pain to setup(first couple times around) but as far as laptop exp. goes for me I always end up needing the latest kernel, X server, etc in order to get everything working. But I am writing this from my laptop.

It took about a week and a half on and off to get my laptop(HP ze4240) fully working. We're talking 2.6.5 kernel, Xorg w/ dri cvs for 3d, linuxant modem driver, etc. But then you get in to things like my pcmcia DLink DWL-650 rev P 802.11b card wasn't support by the rev of the wlan software even in Gentoo so I had to go out and get the latest version of that.

You might just want to go to http://www.distrowatch.com/ and just try the most popular free distros till you get one that works on your system without too much hassle. You could also take a look at http://www.linux-laptop.net/ and see how other people faired at various distros on your laptop model.

Realistically...

[Otter]

...from the point of view of a developer, it makes virtually no difference. The development tools are identical and behave identically across all distributions. I'd advise against my usual suggestion of a Mac because of the slow compile times of gcc on PowerPC, but otherwise your only concerns are the same issues of installation and maintenance as users in any other niche.

I was in the same boat

[Screaming Lunatic]

...about 5 years ago. The path I took was Mandrake, then RedHat, and now Gentoo.

Pick a more configurable distribution as your comfort in the *nix world increases. You might want to start with a "standard corporate distro" like SuSe or RedHat. And then use something like Debian, Slackware, or Gentoo later on.

Go through as many distros as feasible. It's a good learning experience.

Gentoo

[His name cannot be s]

Gentoo is the one true distribution. All others are crap :p

All kidding aside, as a developer who is new to Linux as a way of life, you really may want to Look into Gentoo, as it lends itself to a lot of learning quickly, and as a developer, you should be savvy enough to pick it up :)

Gentoo: Beats the first rule

Don't Switch

[nathanh]

I'm being serious. You state your requirements up front:

I am a software developer, writing client/GUI software in C# (.NET) on Windows and server software in a UNIX environment... I definitely still need to run Win2k (in a VM would be preferable) for testing and other purposes, but want to live as much of my monitor facing life as I can in Linux.

You are a Windows client developer and you need Windows for testing ergo you should run Windows as your desktop. If you have other unstated reasons for wanting to switch to Linux then I suggest you tell us what they are. We can't just guess at why you want to run Linux.

Remember that you can run Linux in emulation on Windows too. Either in Virtual PC, VMware (I know VMware isn't really emulation), or even the free QEMU these days. So any desire to have the "server software" on your laptop shouldn't be a deciding reason to switch to a Linux desktop.

Re:Don't Switch

[nathanh]

Because I am tired of the mounds of shit involved with Windows. Every 5 minutes there seems to be a virus. My disk is 15% fragemented and after running defrags 3 times over the last 48 hours it is no better.

Ok, that's great. You've identified your primary reason for switching to Linux is security and your secondary reason is that Windows requires too much maintenance.

I don't think any Linux distribution will ease your maintenance woes. Although I find Linux a lot easier to maintain than Windows I know this isn't the case for the majority of users. You should definitely avoid the high-maintenance and high-experience distributions like Debian and Gentoo (disclaimer: I personally use Debian).

Regarding security, any distribution that regularly updates their packages in response to (or preempts) CERT advisories would be fine. You don't want to get into secure distributions like Smoothwall; they will not give you a good desktop experience. Nor do you want to use Linux distros like Knoppix that don't have a formal mechanism for deliving security updates.

I think a paid and supported version of SuSe, Mandrake or RedHat would be your best bet. They offer the best balance between ease-of-use, ease-of-administration, cutting edge features, and automated security updates.

I also just want to start using something better.

Don't kid yourself that Linux is "better". It is different. For some jobs it can be better. For some jobs it can be worse.

Linux is like sweet love

[shirt-ripper!!]

You gotta play, man. Start with the easy stuff...Red Hat, Mandrake (the AOLs of Linux). Get used to them, welcome them as friends. Then move on to the the real stuff...Gentoo, Slackware, even the *BDSs. Love them, and they will love you. BUT...remember them all and all you learn. I am drunk and must sleep...argh...