Linux Distro FAQ
Most Free versions Linux
However the most free versions of GNU/Linux are the non-commercial ones like Debian, Gentoo, and Slackware.
Skills needed to configure and run: Medium |Currently,there are literally hundreds of Linux Distributions that specialize in
various architectures and offer various key features. Whether you are interested is in security, developing, multimedia, ease of use, or learning the myriad of tiny details to the O.S. Linux will have a distribution that will accommodate your needs.
Most Free versions Linux
However the most free versions of GNU/Linux are the non-commercial ones like Debian, Gentoo, and Slackware.
Skills needed to configure and run: Medium
“Debian GNU/Linux is considered to be the freest distribution of the Linux based operating system. It is maintained and updated through the work of many users who volunteer their time and effort. Along with its large selection of prepackaged software is contains advanced package management tools that allow for easy installation and maintenance on individual systems and workstation clusters. Extensive pre-release testing is done to ensure the highest degree of reliability possible,
and a publicly accessible bug tracking system provides an easy way to monitor customer feedback.” Debian is the software developers choice.
Supported by the GNU project people and R.Stallman. The GNU people have a unique philosophy in regards to the distribution of software.
Skills needed to configure run: High
Gentoo is the latest and greatest Linux Distro to hit the Linux scene. It is truly the highest performance Linux Distribution yet. Gentoo is highly network dependent like Debian, so if you do not have all the CD’s you will need to have at least an ISDN line to get the 1000+ packages. Everything is complied from source. As a result, you get the closest thing to a ‘Linux from scratch’ install.
Skills needed to configure and run: High
The First Linux distribution. Hard core Linux users claim that Slackware is the best. The Slackware user needs to be a qualified Linux mechanic because installing Slackware is not an easy task. Many people like Slackware because it allows them trim off the fat that is bundled in with the normal Linux Distribution. The Slackware user needs to be patient because it takes a higher skill to configure. I had Slackware installed on my laptop, but I took it off. Slackware functions like other versions of Linux, but it uses the BSD style startup scripts like FreeBSD. Although the BSD start-up scripts are the default, one can modify Slackware Linux to use system V based run-level scripts.
Commercially Popular Distributions
These commercial packages focus on making their distributions easy to use. There is a lot of marketing from commercial vendors to separate the server from the workstation. Any Linux can be used for either.
However, for some high end stuff like the running of Oracle databases, it is best to use RedHat or SUSE.
Both SUSE and RedHat invest much time in making their Linux Enterprise Ready. Commercial versions of Linux are good choices if you need a manual and a telephone number to call for support.
Skills needed to configure and run: Low to Medium
A good desktop and supported server choice. The largest Linux provider. Most people have heard of Red Hat. They are the biggest for-profit packaging company of Linux . Red Hat’s web-site is a good source for documentation and how-to’s.
Skills needed to configure and run: Low to Medium
Suse seems to be one of the more stable Linux distributions out there for the workstation. I was running SUSE on a Sony laptop. Like Red Hat, SuSe (pronounced Sue-Saah) comes with a bunch of admin tools which take a little time to get used to. The SUSE integration of Admin tools seem to make it harder to control the scripts than on Red Hat. These tools will turn off the people that like to do system changes from the script level, but make it easy to make changes to the system for the novice.
It is the most popular brand of Linux in Europe, and German owned. Despite it’s German origin the documentation that comes with Suse 7.0 is the best I have seen with a Linux Distribution. You get 2 installation manuals. One is a quick install manual, the other is a 500 page reference install manual that allows users to find information about all the packages. Last time I checked, the package was selling for $29.00 at BestBuy with a $10.00 rebate (SuSe 7.0 Personal Edition).
PPC Chip set Specific
These distros are designed for Macs, Amigas, Atari St’s, IBM Motorola chips, etc…
LinuxPPC
OpenBSD OpenBSD is another Free, multi-platform 4.4BSD-based Unix-like operating system. The developers
of OpenBSD focus on ” portability, standardization, correctness, pro-active security, and integrated cryptography.” Open BSD supports binary emulation of most programs from Solaris, FreeBSD, Linux, BSD /OS, SunOS and HP-UX. OpenSSH is included with OpenBSD. I like OpenBSD because it seems to be one of the most secure Free Unix like operating
systems by default. It boasts of only having one hole in two years.