best version of linux

If you are new to Linux, then Kubuntu would be a decent choice as it is one of the easier distros to break into. Most of it is GUI driven and the community is always there to help.

If you are not afraid to get your hands dirty, then try Sabayon which is deemed 'cutting edge' and one of the better distros since it doesn't care too much about FOSS and installs, codecs, drivers, etc that are not open source when it installs the OS. The only problem is when you install new applications, the package manager is commandline based and compiles from source.

Currently I am running Ubuntu Gutsy (unreleased) on my Laptop and happily using Code::Blocks to develop in.

I'm going to suggest the parent, Ubuntu. Kubuntu is sub-version of it (just has a different Windowing system). Reason I suggest Ubuntu over Kubuntu for a Windows switcher is because it'll have more of a 'different look' (Kubuntu looks Windows-esk), as well as it's the main version so support steps on http://ubuntuforums.org/ will be more accurate. (Note: You can install Ubuntu or Kubuntu, and then install the other versions 'skin' at a later point and switch between them at startup, to choose which you prefer)

Given how you described your situation, I'm a C++ developer and I use Ubuntu for my main at-home machine (play both games and do development). Currently using Code::Blocks for my IDE.

To set up dual boot just download the ISO and boot from it. You'll go through a step-by-step that will allow you to set up the dual boot from within the Ubuntu installer. Here is the instructions for that: Link

[Edited by - necreia on August 14, 2007 2:26:25 PM]

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Original post by chuck22 I was wondering if anyone had any good experiences using/setting up a dual boot system with linux and windows xp pro?

No.

Dual boot = headaches. Use VMWare. Its free.

The latest of the 2.6.x branch would probably be the best version. As for distribution, I say Linux Mint if you're not a fan of setting things up, or arch for speed and maintainability.

As for dual booting, I do it all the time, and I find VMware although being easier to set up severely lacks performance wise. It's not too hard as long as you can grasp the concept of how much free disk space you have.

I generally use Debian, however it can occasionally be a total bitch to setup. Ubuntu is good if you want something that will "just work".

Running Ubuntu in a VM is bliss.

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Original post by fpsgamer Dual boot = headaches. Use VMWare. Its free.

I've never ran into any dual booting problems.

I'd recommend Sabayon, a flavor of Gentoo. Gentoo has great documentation and compiz-fuzion out of the box is very nice.

thank you all for your replies, they were very helpful. i did end up downloading Ubuntu overnight and will install it sometime today.

i had an internship a year ago using vmware and running different Windows vm's. i will agree with the noticeable performance hit when running even one vm. what's worse is the desktop only has 512 RAM but soon to be 1.5G - 2G once i get things going.

the other reason why i favor dual booting is because i'm at a good point to do it. there is nothing on the hard drive right now so if something does go wrong i don't lose anything important.

thanks again for the replies.

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thank you all for your replies, they were very helpful. i did end up downloading Ubuntu overnight and will install it sometime today. i had an internship a year ago using vmware and running different Windows vm's. i will agree with the noticeable performance hit when running even one vm. what's worse is the desktop only has 512 RAM but soon to be 1.5G - 2G once i get things going. the other reason why i favor dual booting is because i'm at a good point to do it. there is nothing on the hard drive right now so if something does go wrong i don't lose anything important. thanks again for the replies.

You don't have to format your hard drive to dual boot. Ubuntu has a resize partition which allows you to keep your old files. Just be sure to defragment your hard drive first. Of course, kepping your old files doesn't really matter because you have nothing important on your HD, but at least you wouldn't have to reinstall windows.

I installed ubuntu a couple of days ago, and it went very smoothly.

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Original post by fpsgamer Quote: Original post by chuck22 I was wondering if anyone had any good experiences using/setting up a dual boot system with linux and windows xp pro? No. Dual boot = headaches. Use VMWare. Its free.

And what headaches do you get with dual booting that you don't get with VMWare?

Quote:

Original post by necreia I'm going to suggest the parent, Ubuntu. Kubuntu is sub-version of it (just has a different Windowing system). Reason I suggest Ubuntu over Kubuntu for a Windows switcher is because it'll have more of a 'different look' (Kubuntu looks Windows-esk),

That's no reason, imo 8[.
*randomtalk-kde>gnome*

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as well as it's the main version so support steps on http://ubuntuforums.org/ will be more accurate. (Note: You can install Ubuntu or Kubuntu, and then install the other versions 'skin' at a later point and switch between them at startup, to choose which you prefer) Given how you described your situation, I'm a C++ developer and I use Ubuntu for my main at-home machine (play both games and do development). Currently using Code::Blocks for my IDE. To set up dual boot just download the ISO and boot from it. You'll go through a step-by-step that will allow you to set up the dual boot from within the Ubuntu installer. Here is the instructions for that:

The Threadcreator stated that his PC is currently "blank" ...

You should install windows at first. When installing windows it just overwrites your bootloader, which renders your ubuntu unusable until your reinstalled grub (your linux-bootloader)

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Original post by hydroo Quote: Original post by necreia I'm going to suggest the parent, Ubuntu. Kubuntu is sub-version of it (just has a different Windowing system). Reason I suggest Ubuntu over Kubuntu for a Windows switcher is because it'll have more of a 'different look' (Kubuntu looks Windows-esk), That's no reason, imo 8[. *randomtalk-kde>gnome*

I mentioned that because (from experience with myself and some of my friends) it's helped switch due to not getting overly fustrated with intuition and expectation. (If it looks like something you know, you expect it to function like something you know... whereas if it looks different or new you expect it to operate different or new).

Different strokes for different folks.

[Edited by - necreia on August 14, 2007 3:25:35 PM]

Quote:

Original post by necreia I'm going to suggest the parent, Ubuntu. Kubuntu is sub-version of it (just has a different Windowing system). Reason I suggest Ubuntu over Kubuntu for a Windows switcher is because it'll have more of a 'different look' (Kubuntu looks Windows-esk), as well as it's the main version so support steps on http://ubuntuforums.org/ will be more accurate. (Note: You can install Ubuntu or Kubuntu, and then install the other versions 'skin' at a later point and switch between them at startup, to choose which you prefer)

Personally, I'd go for the standard Ubuntu and download KDE through the package manager if you want KDE. Apparently Kubuntu has some problems as a distro and the devteam have a bit of a "meh" attitude to the bugs that appear etc. Like I say "apparently" and I've never used Kubuntu myself, but you can easily obtain KDE for standard Ubuntu if you want to be on the safe side.

EDIT: you said you've already downloaded Ubuntu. Hope it works out for you!

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EDIT: you said you've already downloaded Ubuntu. Hope it works out for you!

well i'm having a few problems installing it on my IBM. but i've posted in their support/bug forums and am trying to get it worked out.

What type of problems...?

The only problem I had was my resolution, and I navigated to the 'forward' button using ctrl tab (I think), but I could have fixed the resolution by using the right drivers.

I'm posting from my linux box right now. I have no sound, my resolution is stuck at 1024x768, and I can hardly read the text I'm typing right now becauase I can't figure out how it got so small. It's fucking GREAT!

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Original post by capn_midnight I'm posting from my linux box right now. I have no sound, my resolution is stuck at 1024x768, and I can hardly read the text I'm typing right now becauase I can't figure out how it got so small. It's fucking GREAT!

pro tip: shoot suse until it dies.

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Original post by anothrguitarist What type of problems...? The only problem I had was my resolution, and I navigated to the 'forward' button using ctrl tab (I think), but I could have fixed the resolution by using the right drivers.

well i can't get it to boot and install the OS. it get's to the point of mounting the root file system and hangs.

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Original post by chuck22 also, i was wondering if anyone had any good experiences using/setting up a dual boot system with linux and windows xp pro?

Debian, suze 10.2, ubuntu. If you'd use Debian, use Debian TESTING not stable. Stable is supposed to be used in SECURE environments, testing is supposed to provide recent software.

The only problem is necessity to use administrator password about 1/3 as much often as in Vista.

I often assign one partition as shared partition, so I could have data and all programs on the same place in windoze and linux. After install of sun java 6.0 into both OSes, and addition of Eclipse, I could use both systems without worrying about OS. It's interesting in case windoze blows to pieces, it's easy to continue work as if nothing happened.

BTW install windoze XP first because you'd avoid repairing boot loader. And allocate only 1/3 or less of your HD for windoze partition, the main data partition should be shared (visible from both Linux and windoze).