On Tue, 16 Aug 2005 13:42, Jamie Dobbs wrote: > This is not meant to cause a distro-war, I mearly want some opinions on > the pros and cons of various Linux distributions. I have been a keen > Gentoo user to this point but find that I am tiring if the time it takes > to actually get software installed.
If I may suggest an addition to your list of options -- Arch Linux[1] I have been using Arch on my main desktop for 4-6 months (Slackware prior to that). I'm quite happy with it at the moment. To me it is a cross between Gentoo and Slackware, it has the simplicity of Slackware in it's BSD style init scripts and hand editing of config files etc., whilst also having a great package manager (pacman). My main attraction to Arch is speed of installation of packages (compared to compiling from source on Slack) and also having an easy way to integrate self compiled packages into the package manager -- using the Arch Build System (abs). As it's still a reasonably immature distro It doesn't have the wide range of packages of Debian etc. but there is usually a PKGBUILD floating around that will let you compile it from source fairly easily. It uses a 'rolling release' system and has (fairly) bleeding edge software. It may or may not be for you but I just thought I would throw in another option. HTH hads [1]http://www.archlinux.org -- You go down to the pickup station, craving warmth and beauty; You settle for less than fascination -- a few drinks later you're not so choosy. And the closing lights strip off the shadows on this strange new flesh you've found -- Clutching the night to you like a fig leaf you hurry to the blackness and the blankets to lay down an impression and your loneliness. -- Joni Mitchell
