[TriLUG] Re: Distro Round Table - May 2005 (was: What's the Fairest Distro of All?)

[matusiak]

Hello TriLUG list --

This inquiry by James provides us with the perfect segue into our May 
TriLUG meeting.  In May 2005, we would like to have a Distro Round 
Table discussion where fans of particular linux distributions come to 
present their best case for their favorite.  This will be a great 
opportunity to either bring newbies on board your distro or convert a 
few wizened experts to try out your brand.

	[Please also remember that each May we hold TriLUG Steering Committee
	 Elections, so start thinking of your nominations today!]

Here are the basics we've mapped out so far.  Please feel free to offer 
suggestions for improvement.  We're thinking 6 or 7 tables up front to 
represent the following (listed in entirely random order):

  * Red Hat - which could include Fedora Core and/or RH Enterprise Linux
  * Mandrake - happy, friendly distro from France
  * SuSe - replete desktop replacement + easy install
  * Gentoo - seems to be an "emerging" favorite these days
  * Debian - maybe include something like Ubuntu
  * boot cd/forensic distros like Helix or Knoppix
  * some *BSD distro - Free, Open, Net ... They're all good!
	[Personally, I'd like to see Matt Pusateri talking
	 about the BSD of his choosing.]

If you feel you know enough about a particular distribution to be 
involved with a panel discussion, then please send an email to the 
Steering Committee <steering at trilug.org> and we'll make sure you get 
signed up.  Size of each representative group will probably have to be 
limited to 1-2 folks per distro, just to keep things from getting out 
of control.  (Tanner promises to play Phil Donohue).

Unfortunately for some, we are not interested in representing the MS 
Windows OS.  Their closed development, restrictive licensing and 
general bad karma in the software world is anathema to the Free and 
Open Source Software communities.  Promoting their software does 
nothing to further the spirit or mission of TriLUG.

Lastly, we are hardware limited to only 2 microphones.  If you have one 
we could use for the night and are kind enough to lend, please let the 
SC know.  Thanks!

Step up and champion your favorite linux!  Help educate your fellow 
TriLUG members!  Participate and enjoy!

dave m.
TriLUG Vice-Chair


On Mar 24, 2005, at 2:54 PM, James Brigman wrote:

> Just when I thought I had a handle on the world of Linux distros, 
> things
> change out from under me.
>
> I'm running CentOS 4. I like it OK, but I've been looking for ready-to-
> go RPM packages and am surprised to find that there are few, if any, on
> the major websites for CentOS 4. For example, I tried to install a DVD
> reader app, and came up short on the libraries required for the app to
> run under CentOS/RHEL 4.
>
> I've started looking for other packages for CentOS, and am finding that
> the other distros have pulled out ahead of CentOS/RHEL 4 for RPM or YUM
> package popularity: Mandrake 10 seems to have a lot going on, along 
> with
> Debian, SuSE 9, and even Fedora Core 1, 2 and 3.
>
> The questions I've got are:
> 1) Can I just use any Fedora Core 3 packages I find for RHEL/CentOS 4?
> 2) What's the distro seeing the most activity for add-on software these
> days?
> 3) Is there a website anywhere with a grid that tallies such
> information? I thought Distrowatch would be the thing, but turned up
> null there.
> 4) Without trying to start any flamewars here - what's everyone's
> favorite distros to use for a WinXP replacement (everyday desktop 
> "heavy
> lifting") and why?
> 5) Should I just shut up and subscribe to Linux Journal or Linux
> World? :-)
>
> JKB

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