RE: Good Debian-based distro
On Sun, Aug 10, 2003 at 02:28:38AM -0500, debian-user-digest-request@lists.debian.org wrote:
> From: Loren M Lang <lorenl@alzatex.com>
> To: Debian-User Mailing List <debian-user@lists.debian.org>
> Subject: Good Debian-based distro
>
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
>
> I'm looking for a good debian-based distro with a good and user friendly
> install program. I love debian much better than redhat based distros
> mostly for the packaging system, especially all those apt-* commands.
> Though for my less linux experienced friends, I have to install debian
> for them if I want to get them to use it. I've heard of Libranet, Corel,
> and Xandros OS that are debian based but haven't tried any of them. Any
> recommendations or should I just have them use redhat or mandrake?
>
Corel - dead. Replaced by Xandros. The "old" Corel distribution,
should you find it somewhere, can be upgraded to Debian but is
basically unsupported.
Libranet - small Canadian company. Well packaged as I understand it.
Xandros - Successor in title to Corel. Well packaged, relatively
complete desktop system as I understand it. Fairly high cost.
Lindows - ask others opinion on this one. Well packaged but high
priced.
All of the above are commercial distributions with their own agendas.
You might want to try burning them a copy of Knoppix and giving it to
them to play with. Knoppix is essentially Debian unstable + a small
amount. Runs in RAM from CDROM.
Pros: Very full featured. One man's distribution for himself - put
together exceedingly well. Hardware autodetection excellent. Usability
good. Regularly updated. The basis for Morphix and a whole host of
other "live" CD's. Contains about 2.8 GB on a 700M CDROM. Will install
to hard disk with one command, taking with it all the X settings etc.
that have been autodetected.
Cons: Be aware that you run as root initially. No clear upgrade
path, though possibly direct to Debian unstable. (Knoppix today
is actually slightly ahead - XFree 4.3 is in there).
Free in cost - it may contain a small amount of what Debian would
consider non-free
All the above IMHO - I also help maintain the Distributions HOWTO
in English so would appreciate any Debian based distro's I've missed.
Andy
Reply to: