“Linux distributions have a wide variety of features that can make choosing the right one for your needs a daunting task. The larger distribution companies try to be the “one size fits all” solution while the less known distribution projects and companies tend to focus on their advantage over the big guys. In this article, we hope to give you a road map for your Linux distribution decisions by showing you some common and unique traits among Linux distributions.” On other Linux news, Tux Reports has published an At-A-Glance look at the ALT Linux Master 2.2 beta (note: TuxReport’s Birdie is 11 years old and has used Linux for 3 years. She has installed dozens of Linux distributions!).
ALT Linux and The Many Flavors of Linux: The Beginners Guide
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
Follow me on Twitter @EugeniaLoli
Sarah Heiny
Age: 11
Location: Palmdale, California
Favorite Foods: Nana’s Tuna Casserole and pizza
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That’s scary! I dread to think what Linux does to the mind of an 11 year old girl. On the other hand I’m hardly one to talk – teenagers do all the coolest stuff around here
As a beginner myself, I looked forward to reading a nice breakdown of the advantages of one distro over the other. Instead I get a 800+ word essay on apt-get vs RPM.
Bleagh.
I’m looking forward to reinstalling Gentoo once I can get to a nice, fast network connection though. It may not be geared toward the beginner, but the emerge command REALLY impressed me. I found I was learning more about what was installed on my system and how the Linux file structure worked by watching packages emerge than by cherrypicking from a tree with seemingly limitless options that I really couldn’t distinguish between. I have the feeling that will propell me from Beginning to Competant rather quickly.
Actually it would be better if instead of Master 2.2, which is currently in beta stage and a little bit rough, they reviewed ALT Linux Master 2.0 or Junior 2.0. These are actually very nice distros and they don’t have any of the problems mentioned here.
From the moment I checked Tux Reports web site to the time I logged out, I could not stop chuckling at the idea of a child reviewing a linux distro. Not that I find it ridiculous, but it’s too cute.
I’ll wait until I get hold of myself before I read that review without laughing.
Anyway, congratulations to you Birdie and to your mom for getting you involved in this kind of web site.
S. Ramazani
Anyway, congratulations to you Birdie and to your mom for getting you involved in this kind of web site.
Dad and not mother. 🙂
Her mother was completely against either EMH or Birdie involved in Linux. Even her step dad was against it. The daft women filed papers with a court to block things. Fortunately, it never went to court and the woman saw the error in her ways. Besides, Birdie has been publishing under my nickname (LPH) for quite some time… hidden but not quiet. Now, she is free to publish under her own nickname. The girl has guts and is now learning php. Someday she hopes to learn more and be able to write applications. In time. All in time.
Effectively: ‘Even an 11 year old can install Linux, that’s how easy it is.’
Enough cynicism :>
Nice to see someone that young doing that kind of thing.
I was playing with He-Man and the Transformers…hehehe..oh well…
I wonder what my 1 year old girl will do when she turns 11…
On the other hand I’m hardly one to talk – teenagers do all the coolest stuff around here
Why thank you :-p
Notice in the screenshots, the icons have very dark shadows. I wouldn’t want that, it is hard to distinguish one icon from the next. Even GNOME, the evil monsters that invented this monstosity, stop having dark and large shadows, and their icons are far more usable.
What’s wrong with using normal Crystal? It would probably look better with Liquid too.
Notice in the screenshots, the icons have very dark shadows.
You mean the drop shadows? They look nice if they are done right. Personally I would like to see more 2d’ish icons. (as a choice of course)
method
Actually, people seem to comprehend technology quite well up to the age of 12 or 13 or whenever someone’s puberty begins. Then they become morons and sometimes stay that way for the rest of their lives.
If she’s anything like my 11 year old daughter (& my 4 year old son for that matter) you’ll be trying to kick her off your machine while she complains her’s isn’t fast enough.
I’m not a Linux user, but I’ve been a UNIX user since 1988. A few years ago, I tried to install Linux on a PC and the results were beyond upsetting (thank goodness I had backups). I’m considering reattempting a Linux install and was hoping for some insight from the article on which distribution to use. What did I learn from the article? Well, a tiny little bit about RPM and DEB (mostly that they exist).
LinuxOrbit should be embarrassed for publishing what looks like an e-mail between two people. It’s not an article.