In need for another distro

I have been using Ubuntu exclusively ever since I built the HGL30 (compal) and fell in love with the system ever since. However, I am thinking of trying another distro for a more advance user. I am thinking of using Arch Linux or Gentoo but leaning more toward Arch. Any other suggestion?

As of right now, I have the m1330 (8.04) with everything working including dual headphone port, G9/VX REV-Nano with every button working, dual monitor, and the hp printer.

 

Slackware, Fedora, Gentoo, or Arch Linux are all good.

 

i really liked fedora, but i had problems with the last two versions so im still with ubuntu.

 

Go all the way to Gentoo.

 

Gentoo . . . ugh. It has taken me forever to get Gentoo installed - today was finally the day! Now, if I could just do something with it - seriously! LOL

I just finished installing a little while ago, but don't have a clue yet what to do next - back to the handbook and install guide. LOL

Perhaps I'm in over my head, FFZERO, but you might have better luck than I. If you want something more challenging than Ubuntu (which I'm using to post this response), Gentoo might well be the right distro for you. Oh, and even the Gentoo LiveCD is fast - much faster than Ubuntu or any version of Windows that I've ever used.

 

Debian !!! Ubuntu is based on it, but debian is the king for people who are not afraid of tinkering.

 

You've read my review of Arch yea? Why not give it a go.

 

I would say give Arch a try. Wouldn't go straight to Gentoo, but Arch has a very similar philosophy, and would give you a good idea of what Gentoo is about.

 

I also suggest you use Arch.

 

Haha, good for you...I spent 14 hrs straight infront of the machine yesterday and got the base compiled, installed grub, and rebooted. Grub worked well, but when I choose the Gentoo installation, I just got blanked screen. LOL.

Back to the handbook and install guide.

 

Try Debian. It's the advanced Ubuntu for people comfortable with console. I've been using it for 4 years now, and never looked back.

Slackware has a reputation for being hardcore, but it's painful, because of the lack of packages for Slackware.

Gentoo is a very good system, tried it for a month just for kicks, but I think it'd be a major leap from Ubuntu, with all the compiling and all.

 

I never tried gentoo so cant say anything on that.
If u want a fast ,advanced and a bleeding edge distro go with arch.
If u want something thats lean ,fully stable,and is PURE LINUX , go with slackware.If u know slackware u know linux

THIS IS MY 100th POST

 

I'd second Gentoo for being hardcore, its a pain to install and get up and running. I wouldn't really recommend installing it unless you know what your doing and have plenty of time on your hands.

Never tried Debian, so I really can't say anything about it.

Slackware is good in that it has a option for you to do an easy install but I really never could get it working right on my test machine's hardware, probably due to the ati card.

Arch is pretty straight forward install but you'll need good amount of time also.

 

In the end, I think the OP won't go wrong with any of his initial preferences, Arch or Gentoo.

 

Gos looks cool
or fedora 9
or suse

 

On another note,
Before properly installing a new Linux distribution, I think it would be prudent to try out the options on a virtual machine first; so that you can wiegh up the distros against your requiremnts. A good virtual machine is called 'Virtual box' (google it); which allows you to fully use the distro on a 'virtual' hard drive, keeping your files safe. After you have found your preffered distro, then install it on your system; after getting yourself orientated on the VM. Hope this helps.

 

yeah man virtual box is great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh81xHuMawc
here is vid i made of it installing ubuntu

 

Thanks for the input everyone, I try to dive into Arch and got lost in the network (my weakest subject in computer). I will try again at a later time.

As a mini-installation review: Arch is very different from your normal LiveCD. In fact, there is none which makes it hard for anyone new to installing an OS to their computer. Not only that, you do not have a GUI after installation which can scare off potential switcher. However, once you get everything done, I am pretty you will have a more understanding of your system and Linux.

 

Yeah, Arch definitely wasn't made to bring people over to Linux.

 

to me ARCH is garbage
try something else

 

Given that both Ubuntu and Mepis (which I use) both rely or have roots in Debian, that might be the way to go. Solid, reliable, and well supported...

 

Why? (ten chars)

 

Keep in mind, MEPIS doesn't yet support some newer hardware....great distro, just make sure your hardware is supported.

EDIT: To me it's Kubuntu 8.04 or Mandriva Spring.

 

it has nothing good to offer
to me try fedora or open suse

 

Clearly you botched the install or don't understand the benefits of Linux at all to. Perhaps your mistaking it for Windows, which it is not.

 

lol
i know what arch is
and fedora ubuntu and open suse are way way better

 

lol
i know what arch is.

Really? BTW its not a structure.

and fedora ubuntu and open suse are way way better

Because they do the work for you?

 

no they have more to offer and there better interface and they have a better gui

 

Bundled software + gui out of the box doesn't necessarily mean more to offer, it certainly is more convenient though.

The OP asked about a distro more capable and advanced than Ubuntu. Arch/Gentoo/Slackware are the answer to that question. You dont have full control and wont learn as much from using fedora or suse.

 

ohh if you are looking for that then i advice you Unix like sparc station then you can control anything you want

 

If you had done a little research, you would learn that they have the same user interfaces.

Which would be great if the OP had a SPARC workstation, which he doesn't. He has an X86 machine, and thus Linux is a better option.

 

If I can interrupt the argument, I don't understand why the switch from Ubuntu. I used RedHat then Fedora for a long time, then switched to Ubuntu with 7.04. I've been using it a year now and went with 8.04 LTS and plan to keep it for at least 2 years.

Why? It made my life easier. I want my distro to make things easy, not hard. Besides I can still do anything I want with the shell.

Fedora would be my 2nd choice if not for Ubuntu. Really though, once you get it up and running the only main difference between the distros is the package manager and the user base. A lot of people are using Ubuntu or Fedora, so you have a lot more resources in the forums and posted answers to common questions.

 

Slackware! Slackware = h4x0r. LOL.

 

I always recommend Arch! The initial setup is a bit of a PITA, but I have my system exactly the way I want it, and that's the best thing about Arch.

 

Arch is still leading the way interms of allowing people to customize and build a system entirely to their needs.

All configuration is written/done in one simple and easy to understand file, the "rc.conf" file. It does all the autoloading, kernel options, sound, modules, you name it. Gentoo recently started using the rc.conf file, although still has some way to go before everything can be done via it.

Rc.conf is much easier than editing tons of different files, everything i just stored in rc.conf.

The wireless is also my weak point of my machine and as suspected it took the longest to get working, but after the install I had a system with only things I and my machine need, nothing else. To top it off you learn a great deal about linux, allowing you to spend more time enjoying it than going to IRC channels for help.

If you need help with the wireless, let me know.

 

Sidux is a great bleeding edge hard core debian distro. It is a lot of fun to use and very fast. If you try it and do not have a hard wire connection make sure you have the right .deb files for your wireless. Can be found in the sidux wiki an their website.

Sabayon is another great distro with some of the best eye candy. Easy to install and run. A lot of fun.

Enjoy the linux.

 

Yep, sidux is a fast, good looking, very bleeding edge debian distro.....you need to find your drivers first or make sure they are there as they follow strict licensing.

 

anyone have a opinion of linuxmint? also, I was thinking about arch linux, even though i'm a noob, I'm sure if i can put the effort in I would get the hang of it. Anyone have a thought of what I should do?

 

From what I've heard, Linux Mint is like a customized Ubuntu.

 

I say Arch. I ditched Linux Mint for Arch.

 

Several people here have written glowing posts about Mint, and blackbird swears by Arch (edit: as does elementhp LOL). Mint would probably be easiest to install and put to use, but Arch might be more satisfying - once up and running. lol

 

QFT. I love how I have my system set up with exactly what I want and nothing extra, so it runs fast and looks good.

 

That's exactly how it is. I use Mint right now, but may also ditch it for Arch some day.

 

I used Mint on the Live CD...I like the changes that were made from Ubuntu, so i'll probably use it, but I'll keep my eye on Arch and someday maybe i'll gather the courage to install it

 

Great to hear, let us know if you have any questions or problems.

 

i was just wondering how it worked with laptops(wireless, hibernate/suspend...etc..)?

 

I don't quite get why you would need another distro for 'hardcore' things, Ubuntu can be hacked up just as good as most other PC distro's, even better actually. In contrast to most smaller distro's there is plenty documentation about the systems inner workings, so more opportunities for you to customize!

 

I would go for their Elyssa BETA, as it's based on Ubuntu 8.04 FINAL....it's just a modded Ubuntu, most you could do yourself, but they do have their own features and channels.

 

yeah, i need some time to digest the 58 page arch linux noob guide....LOL

 

i actually downloaded 4.0 Darnya because I would rather have a stable non-beta OS, then a beta. I'll upgrade when its' a final version.