Better yet, just put a link right on top pointing to Distrowatch.com, since that's where the origional info was from. It's alot easier than pasting the site back here.
BTW, I noticed one of the earlier posts mentioned jumping in the deep end by starting with Slackware. While I'll admit I started with Red Hat, I found the new deep end - Linux From Scratch. This distro is distributed in book form. You can download the book or read it online, following the directions to download the sourch of each individual component and compile it yourself. They do offer a live CD, but the only purpose is a platform that will let you format the HDD, download the source, and compile it on the system your installing it on. I found it because the Dyne II distro (pre-beta - look for Dyne:Bolic) is following the book.
Jarrett
Personally, I wouldn't be against a newbie trying Gentoo, as they'd probably learn more about Linux in 30mins with it than 3hrs with SUSE/Ubuntu. Sure, it doesn't hold your hand quite as much, but the installer on the LiveCD doesn't require that much hard thinking, and once installed I find emerge + use flags much easier and more efficient than other package management systems I've tried. Also, it has forums with people that actually help without being patronising, and a relatively comprehensive handbook + wiki.
Sure, the person may not get it right the first time, and may not be playing their music files as quickly as with SUSE etc, but I'd still tell people to go a little deeper. Because, in the end, if you want XP use XP, but if you want something different then go *different*
Synergy6
Most people do not have the patience or the temperament to use gentoo. For those people the ready-made distros are more appropriate. Gentoo is great and a great learning tool but unfortunately most people are not willing to learn.
This is one of the main reasons people stick with M$ garbage because they are afraid to try something new.
Sad but at least partially true :-(
Most people do not have the patience or the temperament to use gentoo. For those people the ready-made distros are more appropriate. Gentoo is great and a great learning tool but unfortunately most people are not willing to learn.
This is one of the main reasons people stick with M$ garbage because they are afraid to try something new.
Sad but at least partially true :-(
WINE = WINE IS NOT AN EMULATOR
Any distro is fine :-D
WINE = WINE IS NOT AN EMULATOR
Any distro is fine :-D
XP is better for running XP games that's about it.
XP is better for running XP games that's about it.
My progression is
Slackware 2.0
Slackware 3.0
Redhat 5.0
RedHat 5.1
RedHat 5.2
RedHat 6.0
Mandrake 6.1
RedHat 6.2
RedHat 7.0
RedHat 7.1
RedHat 7.2
RedHat 7.3
RedHat 8 <- for a very short time
Gentoo Linux <- my current and favorite distro.
My point is Linux and BSD CAN be a great platform for games if developers start supporting them.
The Problem is that GNU and UNIX based operating systems lack the market share.
I ask this hypothitcal question:
Say you are a game developer, are you going to take the time and MONEY to compile, optimize, extra codeing BS to get a game to work natively with Linux?
I doubt you would as a game developer. Becasue the majority of the time your cost goes up and profit goes down, and if your working to get the game complet ahead of secule and under budget to get you bounse, thats one more hoop to go though to get that extra CASH.
Now maybe I'm just being cynical about this, but its just the way I feel about it. Granted I'm new to the Open Source World, but I dont think I'll be going back to M$ except for gameing, and maybe some thing that requires MicroSucks compatibility.
Just my 2 cents.
GT4 seemed to do pretty well on only one console. MGS2/3 spent 6+ months PS2 only, actually sold quite well. Same with GTA3, GTA:VC, GTA:SA. The Sims sold pretty well too, it was PC only for quite a while.
Etc.
But here's the thing, if you write good working portable / cross-platform code recompiling your game ( s ) for any platform can actually be reasonably easy.
With the proliferation of so many different game consoles, etc if you want a commercially successful title you have to make sure it works on at least 2 or 3 different platforms.
Sony may ship the new playstation with Linux already on it :-D
Would be kewl :-D
But here's the thing, if you write good working portable / cross-platform code recompiling your game ( s ) for any platform can actually be reasonably easy.
With the proliferation of so many different game consoles, etc if you want a commercially successful title you have to make sure it works on at least 2 or 3 different platforms.
Sony may ship the new playstation with Linux already on it :-D
Would be kewl :-D
Slackware junkie, here.
Started in late '97 with Slackware '96, as it was oft referred to. Official name was 3.2. I've tried numerous distros, but it's like driving an automatic after driving a stick for so long...
I hop in front of the keyboard, power up, and smash my foot against the floor where I would expect the clutch.
It's just nice to have such a level of control over your operating system. Also a really good way to learn the innards of Linux, if you don't mind headaches.
Cheers,