Ubuntu vs Mint vs um, Other ... recommendations ?

[eppur_se_muova]

Last edited Fri Apr 11, 2014, 10:55 AM - Edit history (1)

I just picked up a couple of used Dell Optiplex 760's w/Core2Duo processors. Supposedly no HD, but actually had a 250GB drive. I'd like to set them up as dual- or even triple-boot systems -- winXP x64 is one possibility, but I'd like to begin my separation from Windows in earnest. I may try to turn one into a Hackintosh w/OSX 10.4.9.

I've only dabbled with Unix systems in the past (did my thesis research using Unix programs, but never a superuser) and have used a Ubuntu installer, but that HD failed. From what I can see of Ubuntu it seems OK, but I also have a Mint installer handy. I've heard Debian is more for hard-core techies, so I'm avoiding it. Any other OS's I should consider ? FreeBSD ? Most of the UNIX systems I've worked on are System V-derived, not BSD, so that might be too big a change.

For the longer term, I'd like to see good support for c compilers and maybe even c++ and Java. Better yet, actual IDE's under Linux.

If there's an OS OS you've fallen in love with, and it's not for the hard-core tech type, tell me what you like about it that other OS's don't have. Also, any horror stories of mistakes to avoid might help.

Also, any compatibility issues w/different OS's on different partitions ? I know Ubuntu advises installation of WinXP before Ubuntu, but I also understand there are other ways around that problem.

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. I recently installed xubuntu on a system similar to the one you describe.

I like Ubuntu better.

[eppur_se_muova]

2. Thanks. As a sometimes X Windows user, I might have been tempted to try that. nt

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. FWIW

We are so much happier and computing is 1,000 more enjoyable since we switched to Linux.
I have spent maybe 4 hours in downtime to fix a problem, in the last 2 years, as opposed to weekly messing around with Windows glitches.

Mr. Dixie builds our puters. He is hearing not nice things about changes to Ubuntu ( we are serious about privacy) and has been testing
Mint and a few others.

for those making the initial change over to Linux, I would suggest learning the ropes on Ubuntu, and then test driving other versions
of Linux as you get comfortable.

Biggest drawback is one does get used to certain Windows programs and apps and games.
Usually there is a Linux version. It does come with full Open Office suite, which I like.
to me, Linux was very intuitive and I got up to speed very quickly after the change over.

Also be aware that streaming on Linux is iffy. amazon and Netflix are not Linux friendly.
My solution...I use dvds.

I really reallly really like VLC player, it was in the Linux Synaptic Manager ( that's a collection of apps and games built in , you choose, click, it installs itself, and removal is just as easy).

and I really like how Linux cleans itself, does not clog up with data the way Windows does.

Finally, Linux to date is pretty resistant to malware and other bad guys, and any bugs get caught and isolated from the rest of the drive.
and of course the best part: installation and upgrades and etc are free.

[defacto7]

5. Nice comments and I agree.

I have never had problems with Amazon streaming; for me it has always been smooth. Netflix on the other hand is purposely indisposed to open source by choice. It is part and parcel to the M$ and Apple business model and are in agreement with them to stymie access to world standards that don't conform to their systems namely anything open source.

Other than that, I haven't had anything but virus-less free access to everything for many years though Linux... On the other hand if someone is a big time gamer, there are drawbacks. I'm not so it doesn't matter.

Oh, one other thing.... I switched to LibreOffice from OpenOffice. OpenOffice isn't open source software anymore although it's still free. LibreOffice is developed by the people who used to develop OpenOffice and broke away when it was bought out. Both are great though and practically the same... both are interchangeable with plug-ins and such.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. Hmmm...I will take a look at Libre Office.

thanks for the tip...

[eppur_se_muova]

9. Thanks for that info. I have used both OpenOffice and LibreOffice (in Windows) ...

and didn't have a strong preference, for the most part. Now I do.

[eppur_se_muova]

15. LibreOffice comes installed with Linux Mint. That was a bonus. nt

[eppur_se_muova]

8. Thanks for the comments. I was more or less "defaulting" to Ubuntu as it is ...

and Mint has been the one alternative about which I have heard the most positive reactions, though I haven't waded through all the details.

One of the biggest concerns for me is that I want my files to be readable 20, 30, 40 years from now, so I want all my data to be in interchangable formats. I still use data that I collected during my grad school days. Fortunately a lot of it is in ASCII or PDF format, but some of the old Word files might be a problem.

I'd even like old apps to be usable for as long as possible. It's not uncommon for me to suddenly need to check something using an app I have'nt used in years, and the only version I ever had (maybe the only one ever made) is for the old MacOS, which Apple doesn't support anymore. Finding a machine running OS 8.6 is easier than finding a newer, "equivalent" application that runs under current OS's.

[L0oniX]

4. Ubuntu 12.04 LTS has a great track record.

[eppur_se_muova]

16. 12.04 won't run on these CPU's, apparently. But 13.04 does (w/problems).

I tried downloading 13.10 but the download got interrupted; will try again. I found a program I run a lot (mprime; see www.mersenne.org) bailed out inexplicably after only a few minutes. Maybe 13.10 will fix that. If not, Mint seems to be working for me, and I like the interface better.

[madokie]

19. Tomorrow 14.04 comes out

I've been playing with it and as soon as I get it downloaded I'm making the switch from 10.04 and going to stick with it until I grow to like it. The pre releases I've been playing with has been super fast even though I've been running it off a usb thumbdrive. Supposedly Mate 1.8 has been released and I may install it if I can find the correct depository that will install it rather than 1.6 that all I've tried so far does. I like gnome 2 real well but feel I can warm up to Unity if I just have too.

All I know for sure is I'll never go back to billy boys windblows, that I know for certain.

[L0oniX]

20. I'd go with LTS ...long term support. I'm having fun right now running WindowsXP in Virtualbox.

I needed IE to monitor a DVR cctv security system which needs activeX to access. I've been running 12.04LTS since the day it came out. Totally happy with it. I would only suggest you do the install on a second hard drive and set it to the 1st boot in your cmos. Grub will offer you a menu to select which os you want to load. If you want a hard drive that will be the fastest and longest lasting go with a WD Raptor. 5 year warranty and 10000 rpm. You won't be sorry.

[defacto7]

6. I think both Mint and Ubuntu sound right

for what you want. Mint is in fact an Ubuntu knockoff but it's only different in development philosophy, support, artwork and the like, and both come from Debian.

As far as M$ before Linux, that is only because M$ likes to dismantle access to Linux if it's installed second. If Linux goes on second it just integrates the other OS. You can get around that problem and it will work perfectly afterward but it can also be a bit of a hassle digging out the Linux OS after M$ tries to hide it.

You may think about LXDE desktop on Lubuntu if you want an M$ feel and a light faster OS. You may also want to go with Classic Gnome desktop on any of the mentioned Linux OSs if you are not into the default Ubuntu desktop which is now Unity. They are very different platforms for desktop access.

Good Luck!

[eppur_se_muova]

10. Well, I'm not in love with Windows ... actually prefer a Mac look-and-feel.

I've seen a Linux distro with OSX appearance on eBay; have to look for it again.

The multiplicity of possible desktops adds to my uncertainty -- especially when not all distros allow the same choices.

[defacto7]

11. You may like the default Ubuntu Unity desktop then...

Most Linux OSs are the same from the standpoint of the kernel which really is the OS. Everything else is desktop choice which would include whether you like the Mac feel of the M$ feel or something completely different. You can have the Mac look and feel probably the easiest because Mac IS UNIX just like Linux. The only difference is that Mac is locked up and depends mostly on it proprietary software and hardware. Most Mac desktop features actually originated in Linux and the Mac OS is from Unix BSD.

So in the end, you really are just choosing what desktop you like or secondly the philosophy of the developer like how often it's updated, upgraded, whether it offers non-free or restricted software or where the OS gets its software by default (the repository).

If you want to compare most Linux distros you could go to www.distrowatch.com and look around. It's sometimes confusing but the information is pretty complete if you want to find distros or desktops to compare and it will link to their sites. You can also search according to your preferences and get a list of distros filtered to your specs.

From what you have said, you will probably be happiest with the Debian branches of Linux like Ubuntu and MInt to name two; it offers the most software and desktop choices plus ease of installation and compatibility.

BTW, my favorite desktop is E17 or Enlightenment but it's always considered experimental so beware, though Bodhi Linux does a good job supporting it. It's kind of out there...

[eppur_se_muova]

12. Thanks for pointing me to distrowatch. Sounds like what I need. nt

[Adelante]

13. I recommend Elementary

It's simple and beautiful and does have that Mac-ish thing going for it. I remember installing Elementary Luna a couple of years ago as a tryout, thinking once it starts giving me trouble, I'd wipe the partition and make room for something else. It's still where it was, though, because I never had a minute's trouble from that distro, and I use it frequently. The developers are young guys who take their time with the work, but it's well worth waiting for. The next release will be based on 14.04, so another long term support release, and is being called Elementary Isis. There's a daily build running around, but I suggest waiting for the final release if you try it. Again, it could be some time in coming.

I can also recommend Linux Mint Cinnamon, Netrunner KDE and PeppermintOs, which is an LXDE respin and very, very steady. All will be coming out with new LTS versions in the coming months.

Currently, I'm using the Beta2 of Ubuntu 14.04. I have to say this is the best Unity ever. I always try it out and never thought of keeping it, but this one I really like.

[eppur_se_muova]

14. Thanks. I'm running Linux Mint Cinnamon now and am planning to keep it for a while ...

I do have several computers with multiple partitions, so I'll be trying out other flavors (or is it fragrances ?) of Linux and other desktops. I'm also hunting by proxy for an OS the rest of my family (all much less technically inclined) can use. Elementary sounds like a good candidate. Cinnamon's "menu" in the lower left corner is similar enough to MS's "start menu" that it would shorten the learing curve -- or so I hope; my mom still uses Explorer to open everything in WinXP.

I tried installing Ubuntu 13.04 and I can't say I like the Unity interface. It's strangely inconsistent in some regards. Also, I tried running mprime twice and both times it quit, for no apparent reason and without any notification or error message, after only a few minutes. Linux Mint has been running the same program overnight and doing quite well. Still, it's worth trying 14, but maybe not a beta version. Of all the distros out there, I suspect Ubuntu, as an organization, has the momentum to stick around for the longest time, so it's probably the safest bet in that regard.

[Adelante]

17. Your mom

One of the Elementary developers always says they're building their distro with his grandmother in mind. Since I'm probably older than his grandmother, I thought, that's sweet.

[eppur_se_muova]

18. Good for them ! My mom and her sisters all *need* to use computers ...

just to keep in touch with the rest of the world these days. But they all grew up in backwoods WVa in a very low-tech era, so computers don't come to them as easily.

Me, I grew up reading Popular Electronics, so even though I didn't become a CS major, I can still deal with computers a lot easier. But people like me -- and even more strongly, like most programmers -- are not the norm.