LINUX Help Main Page
Ask the System Manager
(Frequently Asked Questions)
by Thomas Wallis
LINUX Distributions
What is a LINUX Distribution?
A LINUX Distribution is a collection of LINUX-related software, often
made available on a CD or DVD-ROM (sometimes downloadable via the
Web). The contents of that collection are selected by the organization
publishing the distribution. A distribution typically includes a
LINUX Kernel, basic operating system software, and various
applications (word processors, spreadsheets, C-compilers, editors
(emacs/vi/others) etc.). There are many distributions available (see
the links below or google.com).
Common LINUX Distributions
- RedHat LINUX - RedHat is probably the leading commercial LINUX
distribution available. The RedHat distribution has been around
since the earliest days of LINUX. The RedHat package management system
(RPM) is the the most popular package manager, beating out Debian's
DPKG/DEB system (I personally think Debian's is better, but RedHat's
is probably easier to use). RedHat is often seen in commercial
applications and has good commercial support behind it, which is often
important for business computing. RedHat also changes more quickly
than Debian, with better support for newer hardware. RedHat, Slackware
and Debian are all well known in the LINUX community. RedHat recently
has been marketing more towards the commercial LINUX user. RedHat has
also started the Fedora Project for home users. See www.redhat.com and fedora.redhat.com for more
details.
- Debian GNU/Linux -
Debian is used here in Computer Science because of its stability,
upgradability, package management, quality and licensing. Debian has
very good stability. The overall system changes very slowly compared
to other versions of LINUX. This is important when you have many LINUX
machines to maintain. Package management (software installation,
configuration, de-installation, and upgrading) is excellent but
hard-to-understand in Debian. The overall quality of Debian is
excellent because it is very well tested by the 500+ Debian volunteers
before it is released. The Debian project is very careful about the
software they release, to make sure it fits free software guidelines
(example: the
GPL (GNU Public License) , from the GNU Project ). On the downside, Debian can be
hard to install and does not have good support for newer hardware. The
package manager (dselect) is also very obscure and hard to use for new
users. See www.debian.org for
more details.
- Slackware LINUX - Slackware is a strong LINUX distribution that
has been around for a long time. I really can't say too much about
current Slackware except it is being maintained, is well regarded, and
has a rich heritage, being one of the surviving LINUX pioneer
distributions. Slackware has a devoted following and is regularly
maintained by its author, Patrick Volkerding . See www.slackware.com
for more information.
- Mandriva LINUX - Mandriva LINUX is a merger of several different
versions of LINUX, including Mandrake and Conectiva. I am
mostly familiar with Mandrake, which was originally a RedHat
spinoff. I have had generally good reports about Mandriva LINUX. See www.mandriva.com for
more details.
- Ubuntu LINUX - Ubuntu LINUX is a spinoff of Debian GNU/LINUX. It
is usually more up-to-date than the Debian stable
distribution. It is oriented more towards the GNOME desktop,
rather than the more common KDE. Ubuntu strikes me as a
well-put-together Debian derivative. See www.ubuntu.com for
more details.
- Fedora LINUX - Fedora LINUX is a spinoff of RedHat. It is more
cutting-edge than the fairly conservative RedHat. I have had
good reports about it. See fedora.redhat.com for
more details.
- KNOPPIX LINUX - This LINUX distribution (based on Debian plus
other software) is a favorite for testing out computers for LINUX
compatibility. It will boot from CDROM and run without installing on
the hard drive. It can also be installed on the hard drive. See
www.knoppix.com for more
information.
- Mepis LINUX - This is a LINUX distribution that is similiar to
KNOPPIX. I have had good reports about Mepis. See www.mepis.org for more details.
Where to get these LINUX distributions?
From the local Air Capital LINUX User's Group (see www.aclug.org ). ACLUG used to sell
burnt CDs of the free-download versions of a few of these
distributions. The proceeds go to group activities (an occasional
cookout or pizza party) or equipment (like a LCD panel for overhead
screen projection). Anyone can join and there is no membership fee.
If you come and sign up for the mailing list, you are automatically a
member.
Internet vendors like
CheapBytes.com , Linux
Central, and Amazon.com
carry several boxed-set versions of LINUX.
Cable-Modem/DSL - if you have a cable modem or DSL, you can
install some of these distributions over the web, after booting from
an install floppy or CD. See the distribution websites for more details.
See
this link for more information about how to select a computer to
run LINUX.
Click here to goto the LINUX Documentation Project.
Click here to
goto a collection of LINUX links.
Back to Ask The System Manager
Something left out?
The information accessible from this server is provided
in good
faith, but neither
the Wichita State University, nor the Computer Science Department takes
any legal responsibility
whatsoever for the accuracy or content of data displayed on this server.
Please
notify us if
any error is detected. Thank You !