Which version of Linux should I use

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Which version of Linux should I use?

• Presented by Brian Ferrell, Joe Gasiorek, et al.

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Linux Distributions

• Slackware
• Ubuntu (Debian sid)
• openSUSE (SUSE)
• Fedora (Red Hat Enterprise Linux)
• Gentoo
• Mandriva (formerly Mandrake)
• MEPIS
• Knoppix

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Choosing a distro

• Many to choose from
• Features
• Hardware compatibility
• Availability
• Ease of install
• Ease of use and maintenance

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Package Management

• RPM RPM Package Manager (Red Hat)
• deb Debian package
• tgz Tar.gz (Slackware)
• ebuild - Gentoo

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Window Management

• GNOME
• KDE
• Fluxbox
• XFce

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For beginners

• MEPIS
• Knoppix (Gnoppix)
• Ubuntu (Kubuntu)
• Fedora

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For beginners (cont)

• LiveCD
• GUI Installer
• Quick Install
• Community
• Ease of upgrade

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Intermediate

• openSUSE
• Mandriva (formerly Mandrake)

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Intermediate (cont)

• More control over the system
• Easier to mess up
• More options
• Configurations

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Advanced

• Slackware
• Gentoo

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Slackware

• Easy to install
• Stable and secure
• Good for servers
• Infrequent releases
• Difficult configuration

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Gentoo

• Source-based (portage)
• Most difficult to install
• Easy to install and update packages
• Occassional instability
• geek feeling

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Linux Install Party

• Next week (09/15) 6pm
• Register before Wednesday _at_ 5
• (http//yakko.cs.wmich.edu)
• Bring your computer
• Fee for non-members

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Questions?