Difference between GNU/Linux distributions

[Valour]

http://www.thejemreport.com/mambo/content/view/215/74/

It's a basic description of the fundamental differences between GNU/Linux distributions.

I'm going to try to get back to writing more neophyte-oriented articles in the next few weeks. For one thing, they're easier to write and take less time to research. Secondly, they're badly needed. Third, I'm trying hard to get more visitors...

-Jem

Post edited by: Valour, at: 2006/07/31 07:11

[frostee]

I'm writing to THANK YOU for this article!

I am a long-time hardware tech with good exposure to Unix / Linux
from a user level, but virtually none beyond that. As I've considered
moving from W2000 to Linux at home, I have been digging around
and have been more than a little overwhelmed at the number of
distros and their various features. Initially, I played with a few live
CDs and that went well enough. I considered taking on a RH 9
install, mostly because I wanted to be able to run VMware for a
time as I transitioned. As I came across more and more horror
stories about people "attempting" to keep RH running after upgrades
and the like, your story really helped me to understand the difference
in the installer schemes, and why I didn't have a good reason to move
to RH. After trying a Lindows live CD a while back and not being
thrilled with it, I came across a review for Xandros today and see
that it is likely to be what I'll install at home AND on my 78 year old
Mother's computer. Clean and it seems to just work, both at install
AND later on. The deluxe version's inclusion of Crossover Office is just
what I'll need to run the few Windows programs that ( for now ) don't
seem to exist in the Linux world.

Thanks again!

F

[Valour]

Glad you liked the article. I figured it was about time someone wrote something like this that explained exactly how distributions differed.

I have the older XandrOS 1.1 and while primitive (it's a year and a half old) it showed a lot of promise. I requested the 2.0 edition and they agreed to send it, but I never received it. I got busy with other things and didn't think about requesting it again. I've heard it's quite good though. You're right: you can't beat CrossOver Office in terms of the kind of value it brings to a GNU/Linux desktop. You can have the best parts of Windows with the security and reliability of GNU/Linux.

I've been meaning to write a VMWare review, but I've been too busy with other more pressing articles. If I can get all the stuff done that I'm aiming for in the next week, I might put it on my list.

-Jem