Favorite Linux Distro?

[Ready4Change]

I'm expirimenting with Linux on an old machine of mine. Want to see what it is like, how to connect it to other machines on my home network, share files, printers, web surf, etc...

I'm currently trying both Knoppix and SimplyMepis. Knoppix seemed to load up and work cleaner and quicker, but doesn't seem to offer the ability to install onto the machines hard drive. Mepis can run from the CD or install on the hard drive (which I have done) but I'm having a hard time controlling which files/directories are sharable with the WIndows machines on my home network. (Either all of them are available, with no passwords needed, or none are, and passwords are requested but don't work.)

Are there other Linux distros people like and have used, which maybe offer better file sharing control? Or am I just being to impatient with my learning curve?

[FormerDittoHead]

1. file sharing control

You do it through Samba, which isn't distro specific, just make sure it's installed.

My best tip for any Linux user is to download and install Webmin ( http:www.webmin.com )and use their admin for Samba page.

Use Webmin to make sure it's running...

One 'trick' that usually not pointed out is that you have to create Samba users (*not necessarily Linux users*) for it to grant access to Windows users.

After that, look at the smb.conf file and look at the structure, from there you should be able to edit it yourself.

Now do some googling, but here's an excerpt of my smb.conf:

NOTE: change the "<" and ">" to brackets, but this BBS doesn't seem to allow them...

<global>
log file = /var/log/samba/%m.log
load printers = yes
socket options = TCP_NODELAY SO_RCVBUF=8192 SO_SNDBUF=8192
username map = /etc/samba/smbusers
encrypt passwords = yes
# you must encrypt password for Windows 2000 or better
# otherwise (W98/95), you must say NO.
# there's a reg hack to disable encrypted passwords in W2k+,
# but only use that if working with both W9x & W2k+ machines.
passwd program = /usr/bin/passwd %u
netbios name = LINUX_SERVER
server string = Redhat 9
unix password sync = yes
workgroup = WORKGROUP
security = user
max log size = 0
pam password change = Yes

<homes>
comment = Home Directories
valid users = %S
read only = No
create mask = 0664
directory mask = 0775
browseable = No

<HP6L>
printer = lp0
printable = yes
writable = no
path = /var/spool/samba
guest ok = no
comment = Laser Printer

<file server>
delete readonly = yes
writeable = yes
valid users = admin,frmrushfan,hsuser
path = /home/file_server
force group = nobody

[salvorhardin]

2. Knoppix certainly does offer a HD install

In fact, three different flavors -- one of which will get you a full Debian GNU/Linux install (Knoppix is based on Debian).
http://www.knoppix.net/wiki/Hd_Install_HowTo

That said I've been loving SuSE for months now and have practically stopped using Windows entirely.

[Ready4Change]

3. Interesting link. Thanks.

Is there anything specific you prefer about SuSE above the other distros?

[salvorhardin]

4. SuSE

Although I use Linux everyday (server) and used it on my old Thinkpad 701c laptop (Debian 2.2) it's been many years since I used Linux at home. So after I built myself a new machine last April I decided to see how far Linux on the desktop had progressed. After trying many distros (Debian Sarge, Mandrake, Fedora Core, and even FreeBSD), SuSE 9.1 Pro was the distro that got everything right. Everything and I mean everything (except my USB headset) worked perfectly and as easily (if not more so) than Windows XP. The only minor tweaks I had to make were with regard to supporting some video and audio codecs which SuSE was unable to ship due to licensing restrictions. However, a quick visit to http://packman.links2linux.org and a couple of RPM downloads fixed that.

[McKenzie]

5. I prefer Red Hat but Xandros is good for new users

Xandros has a much more "Windozy" GUI than the other distros and the deluxe and business editions have a crossover Office-type suite that has cross-platform compatability with M$ Office.

http://www.xandros.com/

A good free firewall is "Firestarter" unless you know someone who is conversant with setting up rules using netfilter/iptables.

http://www.fs-security.com/

[WLKjr]

6. SuSE 9.2 Professional

by far in my opinion the easiest, most realiable, and fastest linux distro out to date. It's even better now that Novell has a hold of it.

[bvar22]

7. Ubuntu rocks!

So many flavors to choose from.
Last month, I installed 11 different flavors of Linux, looking for the best fit.

You can go here and download ISO's of all these versions and try them out FOR FREE!!

http://www.linuxiso.org/


For my rather generic box, only three versions recognized almost all my hardware, and installed without hassles.

SuSE 9.1
Knoppix...Kanotix
Ubuntu

The sole hardware exception common to all versions was my scanner (HPScanjet 4470C on USB). Most versions correctly identified the scanner, but the software interface failed to initialize. In Linux defense, my scanner is NOT on the hardware compatibility lists.

I really like Mandrake, and worked hard to get it installed, but was unable to get my Net Card working. I even bought and installed a NetCard that was on the Mandrake Hardware Compatibility list and no luck. During BOOT always the same error message {NET CARD eth0....FAILED}. I spent several late nights trying to "build a kernal with a tarball"..lots of fun, but no success yet. Someone with more Linux experience could get this working.



I also downloaded and installed :

Mandrake 10,,,10.1...10.2(peek)

Debian 3r4 (over my head)

Fedora Core 3 (over my head)

Slackware 10.0 (over my head)

Lycoris (almost a disaster...maybe a bad disk)

Knoppix...cool and easy

Kanotix Bug Hunter(a Knoppix knock off update)

SuSE 9.1 (smooth and easy)

Ubuntu 4.1 (Warty) (my favorite)

Many of these have released a "LIVE" disk that you can run from the CD. Simply boot your box from the CD and get a look at the fully functional distro. Of course, it is slow, but you can get an idea if your hardware is compatible.

Distros known to have a "LIVE disk:
Knoppix
Kanotix
SuSE
Ubuntu


My suggestions for playing with Linux without trashing WinDoze.
I am migrating from WinXP, and will be using WinXP as my primary OS until I am comfortable with Linux.

Partition Magic 8.0 has a tool to partition the HardDrive for Linux installations. I used it without problems.
AVOID LETTING THE LINUX INSTALL PROGRAM PARTITION YOUR HARD DRIVE.

PartitionMagic doesn't run well from within WinXP, so you will probably have to boot from the PMagic floppy to create the Linux Partitions. Put the Linux partitions at the end of your HardDrive (or on a 2nd HardDrive). I am using about 7 Gigs for the Linux partitions and that is plenty.

(I have a small hidden partition with WinME. I can boot to WinME and use PartitionMagic8.0 to set up the Linux Partitions without ANY problems)


Almost all of the Linux Installs recognized the pre-partitioned Linux Partitions and asked if this is where I wanted to Install. Say YES.
(Note: Fedora Core was vague at this point in the install, so I backed out, not willing to risk my Windows partitions).

Linux will automatically install a boot loader (Grub or Lilo) that will let you choose either Windows or Linux at boot.
Both worked on my system without problems.


Removing Linux from your Box without trashing Windows

Easy.

Step 1) Use LILO (or Grub) to boot to your Windoze System and use PartitionMagic to delete the Linux Partitions. If you are using XP, you will probably need to boot from the PMagic floppy (since XP seems to hate PartitionMagic).

Step 2) Boot from a floppy that contains the Dos partition utility FDISK, and type FDISK /MBR. This will remove the Linux boot loader (Lilo or Grub).
My system was ALWAYS restored to the regular Windows configuration after these two steps.

Caution Note: My DOS boot floppy is from WinME and contains the latest preXP FDISK command. I don't believe XP comes with FDISK, so make sure you have a BOOT Floppy that has a functional FDISK utility that can work with large Hard Drives. I KNOW the FDISK in ME will work. I believe that Win98se DOS Floppy will work, but cannot vouch for it. FDISK was unable to read or delete the Linux Partitions, PMagic was necessary.

I have read online that you can use the XP BOOT CONSOLE to restore the MBR (master boot record), but I have never used that method.


Summary: After looking at the versions listed above, I preferred Ubuntu. SuSE was equally as functional, my choice was subjective. I currently use Ubuntu to browse the Internet and play with the Linux system. I am still using XP for my Graphics Software and Games.


Linux has a HUGE online community that is very helpful.
I have bought a How To book on the nuts and bolts of Linux (Inside Linux, Tobler) and am working my way through, learning to work from the command line. The Learning Curve is steep and a little frustrating at times, and I have background in Command Line Dos. But overall, it is fun. I am learning the system of the future and can always boot to WinXP when necessary.