Which linux program is best for a home user who is sick of crappy windows.

I use my computer for games, online and offline, spreadsheets, word
processer,webpage construction,surfing, email

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Request for Question Clarification by mvguy-ga on 22 Nov 2003 22:42 PST

It's largely a matter of personal preference. If you could indicate
your level of technical expertise and which features you would like an
operating system to have, a Researcher might better be able to give
you an answer.  Thanks!

Hi bluekat,
I'm just getting the hang of this Linux thing...I find that Mandrake
is very easy to use for beginners.  However, don't get version 9.2,
since it's new software and there are not much support for it yet.  I
just switched from version 9.1 to 9.2 this past week and I found that
there are virtually no pre-built binaries for it.  I have to do all
the compiling and configuring myself, which is a pain, and a great
source of frustration for beginners.  I virtually spent the whole week
compiling and configuring packages, and still can't get some things to
work.  If you want best prebuilt binary libraries, try Red Hat.

secret901-ga

I have tested multiple linux OS's for a long time with this question
in mind. And I think you need to answer a couple of questions first.

Do you want to eventually learn the 'insides' of your system,

Or do you just want to get on with Office Apps?

If you are the first example, play! Try Mandrake 9.2, Redhat 9.0,
Gentoo & Debian. Do constant backups and learn what's going on
underneath!

Or otherwise try Mandrake 9.2 but first have a go with Gnoppix/Knoppix
(Gnome and KDE desktops running off CD).

Remember that the ethos behind the linux O.s is very different to
others approach, which will make it behave differently, hints and
full-on manuals Are scattered around on most default installs.

try man <commandname> (without arrow brackets) from a command line.

Games on linux are a favourite question, most of the standard linux
games are extremely addictive and well made, UT2003/UT Quake3/2/1
HeavyGear and quite a few more are available specially for linux, just
search for the linux installer (*.sh) file.

Transgaming WineX will run most windows versions of games pretty well
(loads of RAM and MHz needed though) and costs a measly 5$ monthly
subscription for updates and game support requests. visit
www.transgaming.com for info.

If you want to use office apps then OpenOffice is the only great
overall choice, sure, abiword is cool too.

Avoid Gnome2 & KDE when running big 3D games... use blackbox or windowmaker..

Hope you like my hints..

p.s Lindows is debian linux with a very, very easy to use desktop
(KDE) beware, this company seems to be like M$ on penguins.

Thankyou both for your coments, all very useful infomation, its
interesting about the 9.1 or 9.2 thing , but what prebuilt binaries?

I am pretty good techicaly with windowss stuff but know nothing about
linux, but have wanted for sometime to change, because mircosoft stuff
is too expense to run 5 computers, I look after 5 family computers ,
and i want to make a standard reliable op system which is cheap.

I dont mind getting technical when i have time , but i dont really
have the time in trying out every linux op system there is.

so i guess the toss up is between mandrake 9.1 or 9.2 0r redhat


I already know that once i master linux i will never rerturn to microsoft  :)