[The_Programmer-]

I'm getting a new 1TB hard drive so I was going to dual boot Windows 7 and some Linux distro like I've done before. I've always used Ubuntu because I liked the user interface but now I want to try something different. Could you tell me a good distro based on my needs?

1. ATI graphics driver included.
2. Wireless USB Adapter driver included.
3. Other drivers included that I might need.
4. A good desktop interface.

Thanks!

[modi123_1]

That doesn't really help narrow down things. Why not just go cast your net out on some live boot cds find out what you like versus having peeps tell you what they think you should like.

[The_Programmer-]

Ok Also, is there some way to install Linux without a CD or a USB drive? I can't find any CD's at the moment and my USB drive is too small.

[modi123_1]

Nothing that would be easier than getting a new pack of DVDrs or a bigger USB drive.

[jon.kiparsky]

If you have to ask, install Ubuntu. It's solid, it's most-developed-on distro, and it generally works for most people without hassles.
The only reason to use another distro, really, is if you have some particular reason you want to use that distro. (slackware if you wear lots of black and sneer at people who use GUI interfaces, Red Hat if you're a corporation and want to have a help line to call, OpenBSD if you want a distro that's completely nuts about security, and so forth)


The main thing about linux distros is that the really important thing, the command line, actually changes very little. The beginner-mode look and feel changes a lot, and the system configuration details change a fair bit, but if you're just working in user mode (at the command line) then you're not going to notice a huge difference from one distro to the next. So go with ubuntu, because they usually have the most current driver support.

[no2pencil]

The_Programmer-, on 22 March 2013 - 12:20 PM, said:

Ok /> Also, is there some way to install Linux without a CD or a USB drive? I can't find any CD's at the moment and my USB drive is too small.

[modi123_1]

I was going to recommend a zip disk.. but I lost my train of thought over the grinding of my tape backup running.

[The_Programmer-]

Never mind. My USB drive has about 1.86GB of space on it. The disc image of Ubuntu is only about 800mb so I guess I can boot from the USB drive.

Do you know if it is possible to boot from an exFAT formatted drive?

This post has been edited by The_Programmer-: 22 March 2013 - 09:36 AM

[no2pencil]

Maybe you are not yet ready for the interdependency requirement of running Linux.

[The_Programmer-]

no2pencil, on 22 March 2013 - 08:41 AM, said:

Maybe you are not yet ready for the interdependency requirement of running Linux.

I've used Linux before... It's easier to use than Windows.

Edit: Well it was easier for me anyways. I work better using the terminal than GUI's.

This post has been edited by The_Programmer-: 22 March 2013 - 09:54 AM

[jon.kiparsky]

The_Programmer-, on 22 March 2013 - 11:53 AM, said:

I've used Linux before... It's easier to use than Windows.
Edit: Well it was easier for me anyways. I work better using the terminal than GUI's.

Then you're the sort of person who should be using Linux. So go for it - get over to the office despot or micro-mart or wherever and snatch up a spindle of CDRs or a USB stick, or both, and just install your next install.

I don't want to be Mr. Crankypants at you, but stop asking persmission and start doing what you want to do.

[SarumanTheWhite]

Whenever I was curious about a particular distro, I'd just run it on a VM and tinker around. If I liked it, I start installing it on some real hardware.

[Takk]

An obvious answer in my eyes in response to your entire post is Mint.. it's based off ubuntu, so you wont be really losing anything but you will be gaining a new UI to play which I think is what you're really after.. When you're ready to move onto some of the other distro's, it's very likely you'll understand everyones viewpoint of not asking this type of question.

VMs imo are the way to go when you're talking about trying new distros, given starting over is as simple as deleting the old disk file and starting a new one, then just save your data and install to a partition of its own when you've decided it's your next full time OS. The argument of the best distro goes on for miles, and ALWAYS comes down to personal preference.

[The_Programmer-]

I'll just install multiple Linux distros. VMBox is too laggy for me even when I give it 4GB of RAM and full access to my AMD FX-6200 processor.

[baavgai]

jon.kiparsky, on 22 March 2013 - 11:24 AM, said:

If you have to ask, install Ubuntu.

Bloody hell, that's exactly what I was going to say. Kinda freaky.

However, the "we include the questionable stuff so it just works" choice is probably an even better. Mint, as noted. Also, PCLinuxOS, for the same reason.

Go to DistroWatch and start clicking on the top list on the side. Read the blurbs and take the dive.