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