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Agenda
What is a GNU/Linux distribution?
Deciding factors
Installer
Hardware support
Package Management
Desktop Environments
Experience
Support
Politics/Philosophy
Take the test!
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What is a GNU/Linux distribution
+ =GNUtools
Linuxkernel
GNU/Linux
Birth of a new Operating System
+ GNU/Linux
Installer, config tools,package management
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Deciding Factors – Installer
Graphical installers looksbetter and are more intuitivebut may be slow on oldhardware.
Text installers work betteron old hardware and aremore stable.
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Deciding Factors – Config tools
Config tools make configuring networkservices, hardware and updating thesystem easier.
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Deciding Factors – Hardware detection (Automatic Vs Manual)
Hardware Detection
Kudzu Discover dbus hotplug coldplug
Kernel drivers
Hardware detection database & libraries Hardware monitoring & notification
Automount CD
Auto mount USBFlash drives
Digital cameraDesktop icon
Configure newgraphics card
Configure newnetwork card
Configure newprinter
Configure newwireless card
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Deciding Factors – Package management
Source.tar.gz
Binarypackage
Compile
/usr/local/package
Install
src.rpm src.debebuild
Meta data=pkg name, version,dependencies, pre/post-processes, checksum, digital signature
binary.rpm binary.deb
Compilepackage
installedpackage (/usr/, /etc, /var )
Database
Compile&Install
Install
Yum/apt apt
+
emergePackagefront-end
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Deciding Factors – Branches
Deciding Factors – Package management
Does the distribution have multiple branches
Stable branch for servers
Testing branch for conservatives
Bleeding Edge branch for trying out the latest & greatest
Experimental branch for hackers and wanna be's
KDE vs Gnome branch (Ubuntu vs Kubuntu)
Light-weight branch vs Modern desktop (Vector vs VectorSOHO)
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Deciding Factors – Desktop environments
GNU/Linux provides a variety of desktop environments that are highlycustomizable
KDE and GNOME are two of the most popular desktop environments thatmimic somewhat of a MS windows type of desktop.
Fluxbox is a very light weight window manager/desktop suitable for low-end machines or for running resource hungry apps.
XFCE is also a light weight desktop environment that is very fast.
Other enhancements such as skins, splash screens, icons, desktopcomponents act as good eye candy to enhance look and feel.
Other technologies such as translucency, text-to-speech (TTS), voicerecognition and 3d environments are evolving enhancements.
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Deciding Factors – Desktop environments
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Deciding Factors - Experience
Experience
Setting up servers
Configuringhardware
CompilingKernels
Working withpackages
Writing shell scripsSolving problems using Google
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Deciding Factors – Support
Commercial support
Extended support (Longer lifetime)
Priority download of updates
Support Hotline
Certified hardware/software
Community support
Mailing lists
Forums
Project popularity and activity
Community attitude
Documentation (Howto, wiki's etc.)
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Deciding Factors – Philosophies & Politics
There is no escaping Philosophicaldiscussions and Politics
After all its more than a mere distribution
its a community
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Best GNU/Linux distro
What is the best GNU/Linux disto?
There isn't a correct answer
It is a matter of choice
“Choice, the problem is choice” - neo, The Matrix Reloaded
Try not to make it a problem
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Thank You!
Take the online TEST
http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/
