Linux comes in the form of many different distributions.
47
votes
15answers
2k views
How do you choose a distribution?
I'm currently looking at putting a Linux (although BSD is still an option) distribution on my old laptop. However, I'm not sure how to wade through all of my options - rolling releases versus not, ...
28
votes
11answers
20k views
How can I get distribution name and version number in a simple shell script?
I'm working on a simple bash script that should be able to run on Ubuntu and CentOS distributions (support for Debian and Fedora/RHEL would be a plus) and I need to know the name and version of the ...
19
votes
3answers
421 views
Is there a tool/website to compare package status in different Linux distributions?
I am currently looking for a website or a tool that would allow me to compare the package state of a particular software in different Linux distributions.
For instance, which version of gimp is ...
16
votes
8answers
12k views
Linux distribution geared towards developers
I am looking for the best flavor of Linux that would appeal to the developer's side of me. I am a lover of open source and use several different languages.
Is there such a thing as a Linux geared ...
14
votes
6answers
1k views
12
votes
13answers
645 views
Distros that support compiling from source
A long time ago I used to use FreeBSD with its ports system and after that Gentoo for portage in order to install applications via compiling from source. I did this in order to directly target my ...
12
votes
6answers
1k views
Distro- lightweight and easy to install
Ubuntu was too slow on my computer and Arch installation had many problems too. Which distro do you recommend to me that's lightweight as well as easy to install?
12
votes
4answers
599 views
How universal is sudo?
I was writing some instructions on how to install something (TeX-related - if you don't ask, I won't ruin your day by supplying more details) and used sudo to install system-wide. Someone commented ...
11
votes
5answers
1k views
How to start a new Linux distro?
Some of my friends and I are interested in starting a new Linux distro. How do we do that? What do we need to plan?
Backstory
I represent a community of Linux sysadmins/implementors whose special ...
10
votes
3answers
609 views
How to make those old-school GUIs (like the debian/arch installer)
I've been doing a lot of installs lately, and when possible I usually opt for the text install from the Live CD's GRUB menu. Most installers looks like this:
I always thought these GUIs (if you can ...
10
votes
2answers
1k views
How do free software companies make money?
How do companies that provide free (as in beer) software make money? I'm thinking of things like Linux distros, as some even provide free overseas shipping!
10
votes
6answers
461 views
Which linux distro's package repositories are secure and which are not?
Most distro's I know have some kind of repository functionality where new packages could be downloaded after installation. Which distros do this in a secure way and which doesn't do this in a secure ...
10
votes
5answers
542 views
Which minimal but extendable Linux distribution to choose
I need an extendable Linux distribution which I can easily reduce in size so much that it fits into a 64 mb CF card.
In this stripped version it will run on a Via C7 and needed is Kernel, ...
10
votes
0answers
482 views
How to determine distribution from command line? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Bash: Get Distribution Name and Version Number
Given (root) access to a machine with Linux through the command line(over ssh), how can I determine which distribution is ...
9
votes
5answers
4k views
What distributions have rolling releases?
I was browsing DistroWatch and was looking for a list of distributions that offer rolling releases and a little bit more about them. However, it doesn't seem to be possible to select only the rolling ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
What is the Linux distro ranking based on number of packages?
I am looking for hard data for at least top 10 Linux distro or (better) an address of a web page which keeps such data and (maybe) updates it from time to time (after all repositories are public to ...
9
votes
5answers
527 views
What should I expect if I switch from Ubuntu to openSuse
As probably most of you I have been long using Ubuntu. I'm not an expert, but I have been using different distros until I settled with Ubuntu.
I started using SuSE 5.x, Conectiva (that later became ...
9
votes
2answers
274 views
What does it mean that a distro is “based on” another distro?
Ubuntu is based on Debian. Mint is based on Ubuntu (except for Linux Mint Debian Edition, which is based on Debian.)
When one distro is based on another, in what ways is it different from the parent ...
9
votes
3answers
408 views
Why do most distros (other than Debian) recommend/require a full reinstall when upgrading to a new version?
Having spent most of my Linux life using Debian, I'm been having a look at other distros and am really surprised at extent to which they don't provide a smooth upgrade between versions. Debian is ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
Rosetta Stone for Linux Distributions?
Is there is something like a Rosetta Stone for the different Linux Distributions?
Perhaps a site where you can look up a commands, configuration files or problem solutions for a specific task ...
7
votes
3answers
621 views
Why is Perl installed by default with most Linux distributions?
Just curious. The title says it all: Why is Perl installed by default with most Linux distributions?
7
votes
5answers
4k views
Are there any Linux Distro that features a Tiling Window Manager as main WM?
I'm a great fan of Tiling Window Managers, but It's odd that I couldn't find any Linux Distro that features a TWM as main WM.
For example... Crunchbang features OpenBox, Bodhi features E17, so... ...
7
votes
3answers
327 views
Linux without any distribution [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is it possible to install the linux kernel alone?
I had watched the documentary Revolution OS and there is a basic operating System by GNU and the kernel by Linux. Then ...
7
votes
4answers
356 views
How to write a script that effectively determines distro name?
I saw this post on all the different ways to find out what distro is installed, so I'm trying to write a script that tries them all. The possible commands include:
$ cat /etc/lsb-release
$ cat ...
7
votes
4answers
789 views
How do you properly fork a Linux distro?
I was wondering, how one would go about creating a Linux distro. LFS seems like overkill, I would rather fork an existing distro. I know there are several "respin" applications, but these only seem to ...
7
votes
1answer
199 views
What are the ways of making your own linux distro?
I have customized my linux to a great extent to meet my specific needs. I want to make a bootable DVD out of it, which I can install on whichever system I wish.
I have heard of a tool called ...
7
votes
2answers
476 views
Any relatively new binary distro causes kernel panics
I'm having trouble using any relatively new binary distro on this machine. The last binary distro to work without issue was Ubuntu 8.04. I'm currently using Gentoo with the latest 3.2.1 kernel and ...
6
votes
3answers
393 views
What Linux distribution(s) contribute the most development to the GNOME project?
If I plan to contribute to the GNOME project, am I advised to use THAT distribution as my primary development platform or does my choice remain a simple matter of taste?
EDIT: I'm a Linux user and my ...
6
votes
5answers
1k views
Small apt based linux
I want to setup some VMs running as small a Linux as I can.
The criteria:
Package system based on Apt.
Runs some GUI ( can be very small ).
Runs in as little ram as possible: in this context 64M is ...
6
votes
2answers
572 views
Minimal Command Line Distro
So, I want to have a VM of a very minimal x86 Linux install, with networking support so I can download packages. All this VM is going to be used for is to learn NASM assembly, since all of the other ...
6
votes
1answer
187 views
What makes a Linux Distribution “Enterprise”?
Well just as the title states, id like to know what makes a Linux Distribution "Enterprise" compared to another Non-Enterprise Distros.
6
votes
3answers
353 views
Understanding different Linux Distros
I'm having a little bit of confusion when understanding linux based OS's. When I download the newest version of Mint and Ubuntu, aren't they the "same" at their core (kernel)? It just seems that they ...
5
votes
5answers
6k views
Best distro for programming [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Linux distribution geared towards developers
I don't know if this question qualifies to be a question to be asked here. But can anyone tell me what's the best (linux) ...
5
votes
3answers
578 views
Why does one linux distro run hotter than another on laptop?
I had been using Arch Linux 64 bit on a Gateway P6860FX for about two years, and recently switched to Ubuntu (also 64 bit). When I type on the keyboard, my left hand feels a lot more warmth than ...
5
votes
3answers
385 views
Open Source router firmware options?
What distro's exist that are designed for routers? Please include the following
link to the project page
link to supported hardware list
what distinguishes them, why pick this option
friendly web ...
5
votes
2answers
214 views
Is there a web site to search in the file contents of default installations of different linux distributions?
The text string "Network services, Internet style" is found in
the first line of the file /etc/services on a computer running Ubuntu 11.04
erik@laptop:~$ head -1 /etc/services
# Network services, ...
5
votes
2answers
294 views
What Linux distro would you recommend for a big all-purpose LiveUSB?
I am about to buy a 2TB hard drive to have all my scrap in one place. I will split it to some partitions one to store my data, and others to store OS distros and bootable OSes like WinPE and Linux.
...
4
votes
6answers
488 views
Attempts to unify Linux and other free Unix?
It's such a pain when you don't know what distribution to choose.
It's such a waste of time and effort for developers to port stuff from one distribution to another.
It makes Linux/Unix more ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
LiveCD web browser distro
I'm not too familiar with Linux, but hope it may be ideal for this situation. I'm hoping there is a boot from CD style distro that will be ideal for my daughter to use solely for browsing the ...
4
votes
4answers
248 views
Recommend a Linux Distribution for my use
I have no experience with Linux. I'm looking for a distribution which is beginner friendly. Ubuntu looks great.
My usage for this system will include web development, and possibly application ...
4
votes
2answers
321 views
minimal graphic requirements linux distribution
Which modern distribuition of linux has minimal graphic requirements? My graphic card has only 64MB of memory.
4
votes
1answer
121 views
Changing linux distro remotely while preserving data
I have a headless Fedora 15 (without GUI) box. With the following partition structure:
$ df -T -h
Filesystem Type Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on
rootfs rootfs 49G 2.8G 46G 6% /
...
4
votes
3answers
315 views
Looking for a distro with GUI fit for Windows 98 PCs
I have a Windows 98 computer that we still use (the hardware works just fine, but Windows is becoming a bit flaky and I'd rather go problem hunting and solving with Linux rather than Win98).
I'm ...
4
votes
3answers
200 views
How can I tell whether a build is Debian-based?
I'm starting to work with a box that has a custom (small) Linux build on it. How can I tell whether this is a Debian or Red Hat-based build?
This is what I know so far:
$ cat /proc/version
Linux ...
4
votes
3answers
225 views
Why no other distros/spins based on openSuSE?
So... I've been looking at 'returning' to openSuSE after a long absence (parted ways back in the 7.x/8x time frame). One thing that kind of jumped out at me all of a sudden was that for a relatively ...
3
votes
5answers
190 views
Generic Linux distro questions
This kind of question might've already been beaten to death. If so, I'm sorry for beating it some more.
I am having trouble understanding Linux executable formats and software distribution packages. ...
3
votes
4answers
262 views
Is there a distribution that offers frequent updates to software packages, but stability and consistency in system packages?
I used to use Arch, but it became painful to update if I'm only updating the system every few (3-6 months, typically closer to 6 months). I began to look at other distributions, but it seems like my ...
3
votes
3answers
370 views
Why doesn't uname -a return a useful identifier
I typed the command uname -a into my college's server and got this:
2.6.18-274.3.1.el5 #1 SMP Tue Sep 6 20:14:03 EDT 2011 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux
Are they trying to hide the version of Linux that ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
Is Debian stable a rolling release?
The question is really that simple: is Debian stable a rolling release? If it's not a rolling release type OS, does a rolling release distro exist which is based on Debian stable?
I know Debian ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
Is there a Linux distro compiled with clang/llvm?
Is there a Linux distro compiled with clang/llvm? It looks like as of late 2010 the kernel was working. If not, would it be more likely to be a technical or licensing issue?
