Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Ideal Linux System for Newbies?

Posted by Cliff on from the gotta-start-somewhere dept.

spiffyman asks: "In the next year, I'll begin advanced work in mathematics, and I'll also be upgrading my desktop box. In light of the advantages of Linux and FOSS in the area of science and mathematics, I want to convert from a Windows system to a dual-boot one with Linux. Primary tasks aside from math/logic activities will include learning intermediate programming, web maintenance, some computational linguistics (in Python), and LOTS of LaTeX work for my publishing activities. What do Slashdot readers recommend in terms of hardware, OS, software, and perhaps reading for a quasi-power Windows user (with no previous Linux experience) to convert to an all-Linux system?"

4 of 486 comments (clear)

  1. Same as a Windows system by TuringTest · · Score: 4, Funny

    The one that is babysitted and administered by an expert.

    --
    Singularity: a belief in the "God" idea with the "demiurge" relation inverted.
  2. A Mac by pdo400 · · Score: 5, Funny

    You'll be able to do all your work AND get laid more.

    --
    --
  3. Re:gentoo by lpcustom · · Score: 4, Funny

    LFS would be much better for a newbie!

    --
    Beer! It's what's for breakfast!
  4. Re:No Experience? by pizpot · · Score: 5, Funny

    The majority of them want to run the installer CD and then just have everything be set up and work.

    Me, I'm an old hpux admin. I like a distro that I have to spend all day installing. I like it even better if I need a 2nd computer to solve problems.