These open source Linux Distributions are recommended by Open Mayhem.They are very popular and tested Distros. Linux Mint,Sabayon and Puppy Linux can be run from a cd to see how they will work on your pc.They don't have to be installed.
Linux Mint
From the Linux Mint About Page-
Linux Mint's purpose is to produce an elegant, up to date and comfortable GNU/Linux desktop distribution. Excerpt From DistroWatch.com: Linux Mint is one of the surprise packages of the past year. Originally launched as a variant of Ubuntu with integrated media codecs, it has now developed into one of the most user-friendly distributions on the market - complete with a custom desktop and menus, several unique configuration tools, a web-based package installation interface, and a number of different editions. This is an easy to use everything just works operating system.It will play your dvd and all the video,music files,mp3's flash video etc without configuring anything. You can try it on a live cd first if you want. Make sure you get the Main edition if you want all the codecs included for multimedia.You will have to enable the desktop effects if you want them and have a supported video card for them to work. |
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A completely original operating system for older computers,lets you do most anything you can do on a newer one.Bring that old computer out of the basement and use it again! You don't even need a hard drive.Puppy will load completely in ram,so it is very quick.You boot off a live cd or a usb flash drive.Puppy is very small,usually under 85MB.You can save any changes you made at the end of the sesion.You can even save to the cd or a dvd.Next time you boot up all your changes,book marks etc are just like you left them.Pull the cd out and put in a dvd,watch a movie or listen to a music cd. From the about Puppy Page-
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Sabayon Linux
Sabayon is based on Gentoo Linux.They have made it very easy to install and use.It has great desktop effects and most things just work.It is always bleeding edge stuff and they do it very well.
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Arch Linux
Arch Linux is a distro for more advanced users.It takes a little work to setup but is great once you get there.It is a rolling release.You just keep updating it and never have to install another version.You can make it any way you want.It does not come with a graphical user interface,or any programs that you do not want.You build it how you want it. It will be just what you want or need.You will need a i686 based computer, Pentium 2 or higher,Pentium Pro,Amd Athlon or Duron.You can also use a 64 bit computer that is x86_64 compatible.You cannot use Amd K-6,CyrixIII,Transmeta Crusoe,or Via C3.From the Arch-About page- Arch Linux uses its own Pacman package manager, which couples simple binary packages with an easy-to-use package build system. This allows users to easily manage and customize packages ranging from official Arch software to the user's own personal packages to packages from 3rd party sources. The repository system also allows users to easily build and maintain their own custom build scripts, packages, and repositories, encouraging community growth and contribution.
Here is a link to a guide to get started by installing through ftp,if you have a good internet connection. How to install Arch Linux Via FTP |
Arch Linux Install Tutorial
Arch Linux is my favorite all time Linux operating system.It is a simple ,stable system,that I have been running for 1 1/2 years. I recomend making an image of the whole partition Arch is on .I have many images that I can go back to if there is a problem. I use PartiImage on the System Rescue CD.
Installing the system is more work than most distos so you really don't want to lose your work.I am still running the ext3 file system,and I noticed that Partimage does not work with ext4 file systems.You might try Clonezilla Warning- Arch Linux is not as easy as Ubuntu,Mint etc.Those will setup your system without much help from you.With Arch you have to get your hands dirty,edit some files,etc. |
Arch Linux review
Introduction
Arch Linux is yet another Linux distribution. By the time of this writing Arch Linux is in the top ten list of Distro Watch.
Computers are mostly used to perform certain task, and to do that task well, the user should not have to spend much time configuring the computer, or tweaking it to make it work, Arch Linux aims to keep computer working as simple as possible. In fact its philosophy is summarized in the acronym KISS Keep It Simply Stupid. But do not think that because it is simple it is not powerful, Arch Linux can perform as Desktop, LAMP, firewall, router, cache server, or any other task you may want, while keeping it simple.
Some time ago, I have already written a review about Arch Linux, in this one year and seven months of being using it almost exclusively I have learned a lot, and realized it is (at least for me) one of the best Linux Distributions I have tested. Anyway I think it is time to write another review. read more
Introduction
Arch Linux is yet another Linux distribution. By the time of this writing Arch Linux is in the top ten list of Distro Watch.
Computers are mostly used to perform certain task, and to do that task well, the user should not have to spend much time configuring the computer, or tweaking it to make it work, Arch Linux aims to keep computer working as simple as possible. In fact its philosophy is summarized in the acronym KISS Keep It Simply Stupid. But do not think that because it is simple it is not powerful, Arch Linux can perform as Desktop, LAMP, firewall, router, cache server, or any other task you may want, while keeping it simple.
Some time ago, I have already written a review about Arch Linux, in this one year and seven months of being using it almost exclusively I have learned a lot, and realized it is (at least for me) one of the best Linux Distributions I have tested. Anyway I think it is time to write another review. read more
Pardus 2011 OPenSuse 12.1 XFCE
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Gentoo Pinguy
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