Linux: Live Free or D.I.Y

Perhaps it was because of the report of Google planning to release an operating system that I began to reconsider my Linux choices. I had to stop using Ubuntu on my eee 4g due to sluggish display and a bug that erased all menus. It now runs Mandriva, but Japanese input still is not functional. My eee1000he runs Ubuntu 9.04 OK. I think Google's OS will be a hit since they will have Chrome on Windows, on MacOSX, and they will have their own Linux platform to stick under it, so they don't need to rely on anyone else's good will and will cover everyone who wants to use it --very much unlike the exclusiveness of Apple. The Chrome browser will be the platform upon which to build all other functionality. Having said that, though, I have to admit I threw out Google Chrome (in Windows) for being so huge and for crashing more than anything else. Still, I wish them the best. They will shake up M$ and probably steal market share from Apple, too. Maybe Apple will finally make some urgently needed changes to their closed MacCultOSh mentalITy.


I was interested in the newest Moblin release (see video)(until I found it got some baad reviews and is not ready yet) and learning more about FreeBSD or PC-BSD (more Unix-y than Linux-y)(but probably too advanced for meee). That led me back to some Distro Selectors again (I found a new and useless one) and to look into those other distros more. But I think I will stick with what I have now, or perhaps replace Mandriva with another Linux on the little sucker (4g).

Distro Choosers

http://desktoplinuxathome.com/distro.html

Distro Name… Is it free? Geared toward… Runs well on older computers
Vector Yes Intermediate Yes
Ubuntu Yes Intermediate Maybe
Mandriva Yes Intermediate Maybe

http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/

We found these matches, sorted by how well they match:
95% Mandriva ( http://www.mandrivalinux.org/ )
May not be suitable because: Your computer may be too slow
Mandriva Linux (formerly known as Mandrake Linux) was created in 1998 with the goal of making Linux easier to use for everyone. Mandriva offers all the power and stability of Linux to both individuals and professional users in an easy-to-use and pleasant environment.
[That's if I say I want to put it on a Mac.
-or-
If I say "PC", …]
We found the following perfect match(es):
100% OpenSuSE
Homepage: http://www.opensuse.org/
The openSUSE project is a community program sponsored by Novell. Promoting the use of Linux everywhere, this program provides free, easy access to the world's most usable Linux distribution, SUSE Linux. OpenSUSE delivers everything that Linux developers and enthusiasts need to get started with Linux. Hosted at opensuse.org, the project features easy access to builds and releases. It also offers extensive community development programs for open access to the development process used to create SUSE Linux.
(This distribution also has a "Live CD" you can use to test the distribution before you install it)

In addition, we found these matches, sorted by how well they match:

95% Mandriva
Mandriva Linux (formerly known as Mandrake Linux) was created in 1998 with the goal of making Linux easier to use for everyone. Mandriva offers all the power and stability of Linux to both individuals and professional users in an easy-to-use and pleasant environment.
Visit Mandriva at: http://www.mandrivalinux.org/ May not be suitable because: Your computer may be too slow

95% Linux Mint
Originally launched as a variant of Ubuntu with integrated media codecs, Linux Mint has now developed into one of the most user-friendly distributions on the market - complete with a custom desktop and menus, several unique configuration tools, a web-based package installation interface, and a number of different editions. Perhaps most importantly, this is one project where the developers and users are in constant interaction, resulting in dramatic, user-driven improvements with every new release
Visit Linux Mint at: http://www.linuxmint.com/ May not be suitable because: Your computer may be too slow

95% Ubuntu
Ubuntu is a free, open source operating system that starts with the breadth of Debian and adds regular releases (every six months), a clear focus on the user and usability (it should "Just Work", TM) and a commitment to security updates with 18 months of support for every release. Ubuntu ships with the latest Gnome release as well as a selection of server and desktop software that makes for a comfortable desktop experience off a single installation CD.
Visit Ubuntu at: http://www.ubuntulinux.org/ May not be suitable because: Your computer may be too slow

http://distrogue.awardspace.com/

PCLinuxOS
A fork of Mandriva designed to appeal more to slightly-more-experienced users. A power-user's distribution. Perfect match!
Pardus
An up-and-coming source based distribution. Pardus comes with 3.4 gigabytes on software on one CD, all of which runs faster than normal, thanks to several unique features. Perfect match!
PC-BSD
PC-BSD PC-BSD is based on FreeBSD, and comes with everything you need for a FreeBSD desktop. Perfect match!
SAM Linux
SAM Linux is a fork of PCLinuxOS that uses XFCE to be even faster that normal. Perfect match!
Linux Mint
Based on Ubuntu, Mint comes with a more refined out-of-the-box program selection, along with some extra configuration utilities. Perfect match!

http://www.tuxs.org/chooser/

If PC is a few years old and you are looking for an easy to use distribution to install on your hard drive then try
Fedora or Suse

Well, alrighty then. I'n not a Pole nor am I ready to polish my skills yet, but I found another opinion:

http://polishlinux.org/choose/quiz/

1. Mandriva Linux
2. Ubuntu Linux
3. openSUSE
4. Fedora
5. Debian GNU/Linux

Summarizing the combined (robot) recommendations::
Mandriva:___*******
Ubuntu:_____******_
OpenSuSE:___******_
Fedora:_____***____
Vector:_____***____
Linux Mint:_**_____
PC-BSD:_____*______
PCLinuxOS:__*______
SAM Linux:__*______
Debian:_____*______
Pardus:_____*______

So maybe I'm already trying out the most reasonable options, but those selectors did not ask the questions I need to ask.

Some guidelines I have tried to establish for myself:
• Use Linux wherever possible (install on all computers --to get used to it).
• Maintain dual-boot of proprietary OSs when:
--already bundled for free
--space allows
• Use Windows or MacOSX for access to apps without available equivalents in open-source, such as Garageband or Songsmith
• Use open-source software (or at least cross-platform apps) across all 3 platforms. Prefer Firefox (or Opera) to Safari and Explorer. OpenOffice default office suite. GIMP before PhotoShop.
• Prefer a Linux distro with ppc as well as eee support for maximum compatibility. (as many processors supported as possible, unlike Windows and Apple) -OR- Experiment with 2 different distributions? (if not too confusing?)

In practice, I'm using MacOSX alot since I still prefer Apple Mail to Thunderbird on a daily basis. iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, and iDVD are also quite compelling and hard to replace. The Mac Mini is my desktop and Asus my laptop(s). The Mini will get a Linux install eventually, but I haven't even organized the files on it yet.

Personal Checklist Questions for before and after Installation:
Beginner-Friendly?
LiveCD/DVD?
Multilingual?
Asian Language Support? (JP)
Keyboard recognized (all keys)?
Japanese Input OK?
Wireless working?
Sound Output OK?
Sound Input OK?
Skype included/working?
MP3 plays OK?
YouTube (flash video) plays OK?
Volume keys work OK?
Brightness keys work OK?
Function keys all working?
Printing works?
Video output works OK?
Sleep/hibernate/etc works OK?
Scanning works?

I found a free Ubuntu book as a PDF. Keir Thomas has a clear writing style and is aimed at beginners. Thanks, Keir!