Ailwyn Burgess wrote:
>
> I realise that this will probably start world war 3, but here goes anyway
>
> Which version of Linux for x86 is best to start on? I have used Redhat 5
> (very) briefly but I want to start getting into Linux in a serious way.
>
> Also, does anyone know of a good book for learning Linux, but also takes you
> pretty deep into the system, so by the time you've finished your more
> intermediate than beginner. Please include ISBN No if it's a non-UK book
> otherwise it'll be murder to get hold of it.
Ahhh, flAme wars with a Capital A. Please See the following if
you haven't already. I think they give the broad outline
and if you search you can learn all about it from a Dust Puppy::
http://www.userfriendly.org/cartoons/archives/99mar/uf000401.gif
A brief synopsis of ONE view: There are two major distributions
and a number of other smaller ones.
1. Red Hat is the largest and is especially active in commercial
enterprises. Makes contributions to the community.
Also some claim has the easiest installation also some gui tools
to do sys Admin type operations.
2. Debian is the second largest and is TOTALLY a linux community
effort. But as a result has the greatest learning curve.
The installation tool, dselect, is worst/best, baddest/coolest
hardest/most complete installation tool going.
If you ain't a guru when you start here you will be when you finish. ;)
Just expect to do a lot of learning.
3. Pacific Hi Tech, mostly found in Asia and just now coming on
strong in the US. Seems to have some special facets to cater to
asian audiences. Also the staff seem rather friendly.
4. S.U.S.E. I believe is european centric but also has a large
following in the US. Some claim it has better installation
facilities.
5. Caldera - Not one I've played with. But that's not to say there's
anything wrong with it.
6. Slackware - the grand daddy of all distributions. But apparently
not as active as it was a couple of years ago. No new releases
embracing the changes to glibc.
7. And several others that I've not had the pleasure of playing with.
Bottom line: The following sums it up neatly:
http://www.userfriendly.org/cartoons/archives/99mar/19990303.html
The differences come down to:
1. initial installation
2. maintenance in terms of tools
3. support (the distrib itself and its community of users)
4. interpretations and adherence to the FHS (file hierarchy standard)
This doesn't sound important but is a major stumbling block
in the way of interoperability of Linux applications.
But when you get down to it, Linux is Linux.
Jonathan
