I’m new to linux and I’ve been downloading quite a few different distributions to determine which version to settle down with. I’ve noticed that not only are the numerous linux distributions different from each other feature wise, I’ve also noticed that some of them default to either a KDE or GNOME desktop environment. My question is why the difference exists, is one better than the other, is one better suited to a workplace environment and one better suited to a home user environment, why can’t one desktop environment (KDE or GNOME) handle both needs – this isn’t a complaint, it’s a genuine question from an interested Linux newbie.
Currently I’ve installed Ubuntu v5.04 which runs GNOME v2.1 (or 2.6? both values have shown up in different places) and I’ve tried SuSE v9.1 which runs KDE v3.2. Both of these distributions are Live EVAL CD’s which means they run directly off the cd. They both set themselves with automatic network connections so they have internet access as soon as the load up (typically @ 2min. bootup times), they both have an office suite and both do an OK job at detecting the hardware. I’ve noticed that SuSE does a better job of allowing the user to configure desktop settings (screen resolutions, desktop backgrounds, screensavers, etc.) just by right clicking on the desktop while Ubuntu only allows you to change the desktop background by rightclicking on the desktop, all other desktop settings have to be searched for through the system\preferences menu. Ubuntu has a better terminal server client compared to SuSE’s, both work well, Ubuntu’s is just easier to use (I don’t have to throw in vnc:/ or rdp:/ prefix before the workstation or server name). I’ve tried Mepis v3.3 (live cd) because I’ve read some good reviews on it but it seems to be pickier hardware wise, Ubuntu & SuSE ran well on pc’s that Mepis would lock up on during the bootup process (even using test boot modes) and Mepis loads some junk on the taskbar that I’ve tried to get rid of but can’t (cpu & resource meter along with weather indicator – if anyone knows how to remove those items please post it as I’d like to try it)
Another interesting live cd linux distribution that I’ve tried is Beatrix v2005.1 and it seems to run on everything that I’ve thrown at it (from really old digital 3000 series desktops running 166mhz cpu’s, to kind of old but still worthy p3 500’s to newer desktops running p4 2.8ghz pc – it also comes as a live cd with an hd install option and comes with an office suite and browser/email apps built in, it lacks some multimedia ability but I think is done on purpose by it’s creators.
I plan on test driving RedHat v9 desktop (“shrike”), Novell’s linux offering, along with Gentoo and a few others that catch my eye (Anyone know where I can download a free version of turbolinux’s desktop distro?) Xandros sounds interesting but I’m not too keen on the bittorrent download and don’t want to pay money for a cd to be shipped to me for something I’m not guaranteed to use.
I’ve also tried Lycoris v3, DSL v0.9.2 as well as College linux v2.5 and none of these IMHO are worth wasting your time on just in case you’re a linux newbie and wondered about them, save your time and a few blank cd’s.
Once I pick a distribution, I want to setup several linux boxes, connect them to my existing windows network and see if I can get them running as normal office workstations. Anyone know how I can access windows network shares from a linux box, I’ve tried it on Ubuntu and SuSE, I can browse network folders but once I try to access a specific share, ex. smb://workstation_name I’m prompted for a username and password, I provide my network login credentials but it returns an error so it looks like I’m missing something, if it requires a domain name infront of the user name or if it wants it in a specific format, it’s not telling me how it wants the login info entered so I’m at a loss.
I’m still in the beginning stages of becoming a linux user, I’m nowhere near being an expert, more of an informed “newbie”. Still lots to learn and there’s alot of info available on the net but if you have a few words or comments to spare on the contents of this hugely verbose post, please do share.
thx…. unclerob,wpg