[GRLUG] Linux Newbie

[Ron Lauzon]

Carlus Henry wrote:
> I am a Linux newbie, and I am wondering what would be the best distro 
> to use.  I have had experience with Mandrake and I have found that it 
> is pretty easy to set up and use.  However, I have been hearing a lot 
> of buzz lately around ubuntu.  Does anyone have any experiene with 
> Ubuntu?  Can anyone comment on the user friendliness?
>
> Please keep in mind that I have a very non technical wife who will be 
> using the computer as well.  Is this a good distro to use?

I use Mandriva 2006 at home and played with Ubuntu after hearing its 
praises sung at Pengiucon.

As far as user friendliness was concerned, it was a tie.  Actually, as 
far as both distros went, it was a tie on just about everything.  They 
sometimes get you there a different way, but both get the job done easily.

The only real difference between Mandriva and Ubuntu was that with 
Ubuntu, you had to install some things manually (like MP3 support).  
Mandriva is a commercial install and, so, gets the necessary licenses.  
Ubuntu doesn't.  That doesn't mean that Ubuntu can't play MP3's, but you 
have to do a little extra to make it happen (sort of like DVD playing on 
any Linux distro).

The bottom line for me was that there wasn't enough to Ubuntu to make me 
want to leave Mandriva.  But if Mandriva ever pisses me off, Ubuntu is 
where I'd be heading.

-- 
Ron Lauzon - rlauzon at acm dot org
   Homepage: http://7lauzon.home.comcast.net/
   Weblog: http://ronsapartment.blogspot.com/

   DNRC: Lord of All Things That Are Fattening

   "To be sure, conservative radio talk show hosts have a built-in
   audience unavailable to liberals: People driving cars to some
   sort of job." - Ann Coulter

Microsoft Free since July 06, 2001
Running Mandriva Linux 2006