Re: [vox-tech] Good distro for beginner?

[brad <bradMAPSb@afes.com>]

Just for the hell of it, I borrowed a Mandrake 7.2 CD from My friend and
installed from that.  It's working fine =).  I don't know what the deal
is, but so far, so good.  I've been using it for hours without a
problem.  Now I'm debating updating the kernel to 2.4.2, from my
super-cool LUGOD winter CD.  Is this more likely to fix things, or cause
more problems?

Brad Benedict wrote:
> 
> I think I'll try it...
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Cam Ellison" <camellison@dccnet.com>
> To: <vox-tech@franz.mother.com>
> Sent: Friday, April 06, 2001 6:53 PM
> Subject: Re: [vox-tech] Good distro for beginner?
> 
> > > Brad Benedict wrote:
> > >
> > > I think it's time for me to get a new distro.  I'm not actually a
> > > beginner, but I'm not an expert, and I want to have an easy
> > > installation, and all that "I don't want to screw it up by doing it
> > > manually" stuff.  I've tried Redhat 6.0, 6.1, and 6.2, and didn't like
> > > it.  Then I tried Mandrake, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, and 8.0-Beta 1, and I have
> > > too many problems with those too.  One day things will be working
> > > perfectly, and then without changing any settings, X won't work, or I
> > > won't be able to log in (pressing keys, but computer doesn't
> > > recognize).  There's a lot more problems than I want to fix.  I've
> > > actually been using windows for the past few days, because there seems
> > > to be less problems (that's very sad).  So I need a distro that won't
> > > give me any shit.  Could somebody recommend some for me?  If one
> > > sounds particularly good, I will download it on my state-of-the-art
> > > 56k (No affordable broadband here) and you will feel good about
> > > helping a poor boy who's been using windows for almost 3 days in a
> > > row!  =)  Thanks
> >
> > You have my total sympathy with regard to your last point.
> >
> > I have Debian 2.2r2  (I think r3 is now available).  It is not for the
> > uninitiated, but for those with a bit of knowledge about Linux (which
> > you seem to be), it seems an particularly good choice.  I encounter
> > quite a number of anecdotes about people who start on RedHat and then
> > switch.  Though there are some who go the other way, it seems to be
> > mostly those who were unprepared with respect to how Linux works.  The
> > really unique thing about Debian is the packaging system.  It is very
> > robust and really handles dependencies well.  Go to www.debian.org for
> > more information and downloads.  If you can afford the $10 to $20, you
> > might do better to find a reseller who provides a good installer.  For
> > that, I can recommend Libranet from my own experience.  Though I have
> > since removed some things (personal taste, mostly), the installation was
> > fast and easy (www.libranet.com).  There is also Storm Linux
> > (www.stoemix.com, I think), which seems to have a good reputation.
> >
> > Good luck.
> >
> > Cam
> >
> >
> > --
> > Cam Ellison Ph.D. R.Psych.
> > From Roberts Creek on B.C.'s incomparable Sunshine Coast
> > camellison@dccnet.com
> > cam@fleuryassociates.com
> >