[TriLUG] This article from Lockergnome's Penguin newsletter gives info on various distributions

al johson alfjon at mindspring.com
Mon Nov 12 16:55:52 EST 2001


Parts of this article had links and other formatting that didn't survive the
copy command.--AL
=========================

 11.12.2001 GnomeREPORT


The Great Distro Review starts today.

There's great evidence right before us of the increasing interest in and
popularity of Linux. At present, there are more than 40 distributions of the
venerable OS, ranging from giant RedHat to Cosix. In between, you'll find
distributions like Happy, Gentoo and Vector. The range of default features
and packages is breathtaking and, if you're new to the OS, confusing. Over
the next few weeks, I'll give it my best shot to lay out the facts about the
various distributions, as well as the features, advantages, disadvantages,
and gotchas that lie within each. By necessity, I'll rely heavily on some
outside resources. DistroWatch.com will be one of those. If you're looking
for a comprehensive view of each distribution, down to the smallest minutia,
DistroWatch is a great place to follow along.

Because the scope of Linux distributions is so broad, it'll be impossible
for me to give every one a fair and thorough review. So, over the next
several weeks, I'll take a couple of days a week to look at the "Big 6"
Linux distributions - the aformentioned RedHat, Mandrake, Debian, Slackware,
Suse, and TurboLinux. Over the weeekend I blanked my version of RedHat and
installed one of these distributions on my beloved box at home. I'll be
installing and playing with all of them over the course of the review.
There's no better way to gain insight than to play, and play I will. And
I'll let your questions guide my play, both those you've asked and those I'm
sure are to come.

So, with a MelloYello and a fresh banana at my side for energy, let's take a
look at the basics of price, documentation and download sites in part one of
the Great Distro Review.

  RedHat Mandrake Turbo Debian Slackware Suse
Price $60 $25 $130 $10 $40 $40
Version 7.2 8.1 7.0 2.2r4 8.0 7.3
Linux kernel 2.4.7 2.4.8 2.4.5 2.2.19 2.4.5 2.4.10
Installer Graphical Graphical Graphical Text Text Graphical
Documentation Hard copy Hard copy Hard copy Online Online Hard copy
Free version Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No


Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to Mandrake 8.1 and tell you how the install
went this weekend.





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