Articles - Which Linux distro for Me?

Which distro for me?

by Mike Lampard, 07/09/2009

At ImaginOZ we often hear this question. There are so many Linux distributions available, each tailored to fill one of a gamut of uses and ideologies, that it can be a little confusing.

A Linux 'Distribution' is most easily thought of as a compilation of software. Just as some proprietory software companies offer 'Home' and 'Professional' editions of their operating system tailored to slightly differing markets, each Linux distro has a slightly different 'flavour'.

Firstly, it needs to be said that there is no 'One True Distro'. Each distribution is tailored to a specific wedge of users. There is some overlap, and there are as many views about what makes a good desktop as there are users. Most distros can run any of the software mentioned here. All we can do is sweep away some of the non-essentials, then look at which distros come out-of-the-box with the features we want.

Let's break it down into the two main areas that we deal with here at ImaginOZ: Desktop and Server. [One of the other areas we deal with at ImaginOZ is in the Embedded space, but we won't be covering that here]

Lets look briefly at the Desktop.
Lets break our users into a few groups:

Home Users
- Email
- Social sites such as myspace
- Maybe one or two forums.
- A game of solitaire or two, Mahjohnng, Tetris
- Business applications such as word processing
- Networking for Internet Access
Hardcore Gamers
- Internet user
- The latest & greatest 3D games available on the shelf
- Networking for lan parties.
Business-class Users
- Internet
- Word Processing/Other business applications
- Networking for storage
- Reliability and Downtime is a huge factor

For now, we'll rule out the 'Hardcore 3D Gamer' from our discussions. Sorry you two, but although Linux has good 3D support via OpenGL, and the Wine windows compatibility layer has come a long way, there just aren't enough Game Houses publishing 3D titles for Linux currently. Check out Wine if you want to run Windows games under Linux.

There are many individuals out there for whom the term 'games' means mahjohnng, solitaire, or tetris. For those people, I have some very good news. Most Linux distros come 'out-of-the-box' with a whole range of great games. KMahjohnng would have to be one of the best Mahjohnng games around. Period. And Neverball has to be played at least once. For those interested, a small list of games available on the average Linux desktop (well, mine anyway) can be found here.

Right, so we have the gamers out of the way for now. Lets get down to business.

Stay tuned for the next installment..