Want to run a Linux based machine, but which distro?

**Glaanieboy** · February 25th, 2004

OK, just for fun, I want to install Linux on my machine (on a separate harddisk while the Windows harddisk has been taken out, just to be sure). If I want a easy to understand distro, where both terminal and GUI configuration is easy, for webserving (Apache and PHP), database (MySQL) and a GUI (for webbrowsing if I need help), is Slackware a good choice? So far I only got experience with RedHat and Mandrake, but I gave up on it, because it was to difficult for me at the time.
I don't want to use the distro as a desktop replacement (yet), but as long as configuring is easy etc. and with a clear structure (not that the config files are all located on different places) and with the points I said above, I am happy.
Oh, and I rather not want to use FreeBSD, I have tried installing both 4.8 and 4.9, but both failed, because for some reason my monitor said the video was out of range when I booted up in the GUI.

If you say I can google for help, you're right, but I trust your guys, and I know that some guys/girls have good experiences with Linux.

Specs (if you need any):
MSI-6309 with a Via chipset
PentiumIII 800 Mhz
256 MB
20 GB
LAN internet connected through a router
Samsung 151s 15" TFT monitor @ 1024x768 @ 72 Hz

falcone · February 25th, 2004

my personal favourite is mandarke.... u can get it up and running within 30mins

but some guys here have been ranting about slackware.. so check out both

http://www.mandrakesoft.com
http://www.slackware.com

**Glaanieboy** · February 25th, 2004

Hm, when I tried Mandrake, I found it quite good. But I have heard some very good things about slackware, so if there are some good recommendations for that, I will try it. Other recommendations may also be given of course

falcone · February 25th, 2004

hmm tried debian? fedora red hat is not too bad too...

**vern** · February 25th, 2004

Slackware config is mostly done through text files, and you won't get much GUI configuration. Unless I was to use Dropline Gnome on Slack, I'd go with Mandrake or Fedora. Debian could also be a choice. I'm on a Debian box right now. Once you get used to apt-get and the ghastly install process, it'll be a breeze running your box. apt-get is very very powerful.

falcone · February 25th, 2004

debian's installation is ghastly alright.. drove me nuts once lol...

**Glaanieboy** · February 25th, 2004

Hmm, looks like it's going to be Mandrake after all. I am now downloading Mandrake 9.2, I'll let you know if I have any more questions.

**dreamliner77** · February 25th, 2004

Anyone have any opinions of Java Desktop Environment? I just got a free copy of it (legal).

Reg · February 25th, 2004

I've had my share of SunOS and JDE. Never cared for either GUI interfaces. The backend (shell) is pretty good.

falcone · February 25th, 2004

whats SunOS and JDE?

EDIT : does SunOS happen to have anything to do with Solaris? :confused:

Reg · February 25th, 2004

SunOS is what they call Solaris now.

JDE = Java Desktop Environment.

falcone · February 26th, 2004

okay.. so JDE is??? actually, i tink it is a java-based desktop right? but wouldn't that be extraordinarily slow? i mean the java runtimes on windows is really sluggish..

Reg · February 26th, 2004

Not really. JRE's are slow in Windows because it has to:

1. Launch the JRE virtual machine program (like running an OS in an OS)

Then

2. Launch the App

Since the OS is Java, you don't have to worry about the A part so it essentially will run just like any other OS.

Example:

Windows runs great on the PC hardware
Mac OS X runs great on the PowerPC hardware

Yet, when you run Windows on a Mac using VirtualPC, windows runs slower than a snail! Why? Because PC hardware has to be emulated, memory has to be allocated, and processing power has to be shared. The same would be true if you could run Mac OS X virtually on a PC.

**Xie** · February 26th, 2004

isn't that new "java desktop" just linux running like kde modified w/ java apps?

* Edit * - got off topic of the post

... I vote slackware ... if you wanna run X make sure you config it correctly before starting up your gui and you shouldn't get those nasty error msg's.

*Edit #2 * - my bad based off gnome not kde :/ ...

The software consists of a fully integrated client environment based on open source and standards including a GNOME desktop environment, StarOffice productivity suite, Mozilla browser, Evolution e-mail and calendar client, Java 2 Standard Edition, and a Linux operating system.

taken from suns own site here

**vern** · February 26th, 2004

But Windows and Mac programs are compiled to machine code while the Java I know is compiled into byte code which has to be interpreted by the JVM. Unless the OS only runs applications code compiled to a language the machine can understand without the need for a JVM, it'll always be slower.

**X-Istence** · February 29th, 2004

FreeBSD, forget Linux.

**NetRyder** · February 29th, 2004

Originally Posted by X-Istence

FreeBSD, forget Linux.

Haha, that's funny, considering the first post clearly indicated:

Originally Posted by Glaanieboy

Oh, and I rather not want to use FreeBSD, I have tried installing both 4.8 and 4.9, but both failed, because for some reason my monitor said the video was out of range when I booted up in the GUI.

**Xie** · February 29th, 2004

but it sounds like it only "failed" because he need to tweak X some.

**NetRyder** · February 29th, 2004

That's quite possible, but from what I understood of the original post, he wanted something that would work without much tweaking.

**Xie** · March 1st, 2004

Originally Posted by NetRyder

That's quite possible, but from what I understood of the original post, he wanted something that would work without much tweaking.

He's done RH and Mandrake ... not sure he's gonna find a distro thats gonna be more GUI/server friendly "out of box" then them. :/

February 25th, 2004	Top \| #1
Glaanieboy OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: March 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,626 Reputation: 270 Power: 153	Want to run a Linux based machine, but which distro? OK, just for fun, I want to install Linux on my machine (on a separate harddisk while the Windows harddisk has been taken out, just to be sure). If I want a easy to understand distro, where both terminal and GUI configuration is easy, for webserving (Apache and PHP), database (MySQL) and a GUI (for webbrowsing if I need help), is Slackware a good choice? So far I only got experience with RedHat and Mandrake, but I gave up on it, because it was to difficult for me at the time. I don't want to use the distro as a desktop replacement (yet), but as long as configuring is easy etc. and with a clear structure (not that the config files are all located on different places) and with the points I said above, I am happy. Oh, and I rather not want to use FreeBSD, I have tried installing both 4.8 and 4.9, but both failed, because for some reason my monitor said the video was out of range when I booted up in the GUI. If you say I can google for help, you're right, but I trust your guys, and I know that some guys/girls have good experiences with Linux. Specs (if you need any): MSI-6309 with a Via chipset PentiumIII 800 Mhz 256 MB 20 GB LAN internet connected through a router Samsung 151s 15" TFT monitor @ 1024x768 @ 72 Hz

February 25th, 2004	Top \| #2
falcone WinFS Advocate :D Joined: February 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 50 Reputation: 10 Power: 101	my personal favourite is mandarke.... u can get it up and running within 30mins but some guys here have been ranting about slackware.. so check out both http://www.mandrakesoft.com http://www.slackware.com Gigabyte GA-7S748 w/ 400FSB \| AMD Athlon 2800+ ~2058Mhz \| Maxtor 80GB ATA133 \| Kingston 400Mhz 512MB ValueRAM \| Eagle GeForce FX5200 128MB \| AOpen 52x48x32x16x Combo \| Matsu****a 2x DVD-Rom \| Panasonic FDD --------------------------------------- What's up with censorship? its Matsus h i ta

February 25th, 2004	Top \| #4
falcone WinFS Advocate :D Joined: February 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 50 Reputation: 10 Power: 101	hmm tried debian? fedora red hat is not too bad too... Gigabyte GA-7S748 w/ 400FSB \| AMD Athlon 2800+ ~2058Mhz \| Maxtor 80GB ATA133 \| Kingston 400Mhz 512MB ValueRAM \| Eagle GeForce FX5200 128MB \| AOpen 52x48x32x16x Combo \| Matsu****a 2x DVD-Rom \| Panasonic FDD --------------------------------------- What's up with censorship? its Matsus h i ta

February 25th, 2004	Top \| #6
falcone WinFS Advocate :D Joined: February 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 50 Reputation: 10 Power: 101	debian's installation is ghastly alright.. drove me nuts once lol... Gigabyte GA-7S748 w/ 400FSB \| AMD Athlon 2800+ ~2058Mhz \| Maxtor 80GB ATA133 \| Kingston 400Mhz 512MB ValueRAM \| Eagle GeForce FX5200 128MB \| AOpen 52x48x32x16x Combo \| Matsu****a 2x DVD-Rom \| Panasonic FDD --------------------------------------- What's up with censorship? its Matsus h i ta

February 25th, 2004	Top \| #8
dreamliner77 The Analog Kid Joined: March 2002 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 4,653 Reputation: 1111 Power: 182	Anyone have any opinions of Java Desktop Environment? I just got a free copy of it (legal). "You can fight without ever winning, but never win without a fight." -Neil Peart of RUSH

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February 25th, 2004	Top \| #3
Glaanieboy OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: March 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,626 Reputation: 270 Power: 153	Hm, when I tried Mandrake, I found it quite good. But I have heard some very good things about slackware, so if there are some good recommendations for that, I will try it. Other recommendations may also be given of course

February 25th, 2004	Top \| #5
vern Dominus Joined: March 2002 Location: Minnesota, USA Posts: 1,570 Reputation: 660 Power: 146	Slackware config is mostly done through text files, and you won't get much GUI configuration. Unless I was to use Dropline Gnome on Slack, I'd go with Mandrake or Fedora. Debian could also be a choice. I'm on a Debian box right now. Once you get used to apt-get and the ghastly install process, it'll be a breeze running your box. apt-get is very very powerful.

February 25th, 2004	Top \| #7
Glaanieboy OSNN Veteran Addict Joined: March 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,626 Reputation: 270 Power: 153	Hmm, looks like it's going to be Mandrake after all. I am now downloading Mandrake 9.2, I'll let you know if I have any more questions.

February 25th, 2004	Top \| #9
Reg eXperienced! Joined: March 2002 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 639 Reputation: 100 Power: 132	I've had my share of SunOS and JDE. Never cared for either GUI interfaces. The backend (shell) is pretty good.

February 25th, 2004	Top \| #10
falcone WinFS Advocate :D Joined: February 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 50 Reputation: 10 Power: 101	whats SunOS and JDE? EDIT : does SunOS happen to have anything to do with Solaris? :confused: Gigabyte GA-7S748 w/ 400FSB \| AMD Athlon 2800+ ~2058Mhz \| Maxtor 80GB ATA133 \| Kingston 400Mhz 512MB ValueRAM \| Eagle GeForce FX5200 128MB \| AOpen 52x48x32x16x Combo \| Matsu****a 2x DVD-Rom \| Panasonic FDD --------------------------------------- What's up with censorship? its Matsus h i ta

February 25th, 2004	Top \| #11
Reg eXperienced! Joined: March 2002 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 639 Reputation: 100 Power: 132	SunOS is what they call Solaris now. JDE = Java Desktop Environment.

February 26th, 2004	Top \| #12
falcone WinFS Advocate :D Joined: February 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 50 Reputation: 10 Power: 101	okay.. so JDE is??? actually, i tink it is a java-based desktop right? but wouldn't that be extraordinarily slow? i mean the java runtimes on windows is really sluggish.. Gigabyte GA-7S748 w/ 400FSB \| AMD Athlon 2800+ ~2058Mhz \| Maxtor 80GB ATA133 \| Kingston 400Mhz 512MB ValueRAM \| Eagle GeForce FX5200 128MB \| AOpen 52x48x32x16x Combo \| Matsu****a 2x DVD-Rom \| Panasonic FDD --------------------------------------- What's up with censorship? its Matsus h i ta

February 26th, 2004	Top \| #13
Reg eXperienced! Joined: March 2002 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 639 Reputation: 100 Power: 132	Not really. JRE's are slow in Windows because it has to: 1. Launch the JRE virtual machine program (like running an OS in an OS) Then 2. Launch the App Since the OS is Java, you don't have to worry about the A part so it essentially will run just like any other OS. Example: Windows runs great on the PC hardware Mac OS X runs great on the PowerPC hardware Yet, when you run Windows on a Mac using VirtualPC, windows runs slower than a snail! Why? Because PC hardware has to be emulated, memory has to be allocated, and processing power has to be shared. The same would be true if you could run Mac OS X virtually on a PC.

February 26th, 2004	Top \| #14
Xie - geek - Joined: September 2003 Location: NY, USA Posts: 5,224 Reputation: 1730 Power: 175	isn't that new "java desktop" just linux running like kde modified w/ java apps? * Edit * - got off topic of the post ... I vote slackware ... if you wanna run X make sure you config it correctly before starting up your gui and you shouldn't get those nasty error msg's. Edit #2 - my bad based off gnome not kde :/ ... The software consists of a fully integrated client environment based on open source and standards including a GNOME desktop environment, StarOffice productivity suite, Mozilla browser, Evolution e-mail and calendar client, Java 2 Standard Edition, and a Linux operating system. taken from suns own site here tehgeek \| tehgeek \| geeking out to tech \| IRC \| Parted Magic \| A+ Certified Professional

February 26th, 2004	Top \| #15
vern Dominus Joined: March 2002 Location: Minnesota, USA Posts: 1,570 Reputation: 660 Power: 146	But Windows and Mac programs are compiled to machine code while the Java I know is compiled into byte code which has to be interpreted by the JVM. Unless the OS only runs applications code compiled to a language the machine can understand without the need for a JVM, it'll always be slower.

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February 29th, 2004	Top \| #16
X-Istence * Joined: December 2001 Location: USA Posts: 6,496 Reputation: 2808 Power: 220	FreeBSD, forget Linux. An engineers technical notebook

February 29th, 2004	Top \| #17
NetRyder Tech Junkie Joined: April 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,256 Reputation: 4260 Power: 298	Originally Posted by X-Istence FreeBSD, forget Linux. Haha, that's funny, considering the first post clearly indicated: Originally Posted by Glaanieboy Oh, and I rather not want to use FreeBSD, I have tried installing both 4.8 and 4.9, but both failed, because for some reason my monitor said the video was out of range when I booted up in the GUI. http://kunal.kundaje.net

February 29th, 2004	Top \| #18
Xie - geek - Joined: September 2003 Location: NY, USA Posts: 5,224 Reputation: 1730 Power: 175	but it sounds like it only "failed" because he need to tweak X some. tehgeek \| tehgeek \| geeking out to tech \| IRC \| Parted Magic \| A+ Certified Professional

February 29th, 2004	Top \| #19
NetRyder Tech Junkie Joined: April 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,256 Reputation: 4260 Power: 298	That's quite possible, but from what I understood of the original post, he wanted something that would work without much tweaking. http://kunal.kundaje.net

March 1st, 2004	Top \| #20
Xie - geek - Joined: September 2003 Location: NY, USA Posts: 5,224 Reputation: 1730 Power: 175	Originally Posted by NetRyder That's quite possible, but from what I understood of the original post, he wanted something that would work without much tweaking. He's done RH and Mandrake ... not sure he's gonna find a distro thats gonna be more GUI/server friendly "out of box" then them. :/ tehgeek \| tehgeek \| geeking out to tech \| IRC \| Parted Magic \| A+ Certified Professional