Reasons to choose GNU / Linux as the operating system for everyday use are many. But it may be more difficult when thinking about migrating from Windows to Linux? No doubt decide between the hundreds of GNU / Linux that coexist today, and which is best suited to your needs.
What is the best GNU / Linux distribution for any of us? It is clear that depends on many factors. But according to a study recently conducted by Linuxtrends popularity, Ubuntu Linux is the most popular distribution. Even remark that Ubuntu has many benefits for users, each with their own personal touch.
But let favoritism aside, and we fence directly to what we came. Here's 5 tips to choose the best GNU / Linux distribution.
1. Skills:
If you or those close to you have not used Linux before, you may prefer to continue with a distribution that is more relevant to novice users. Surely the first thing they think is in Ubuntu Linux. But we must also bear in mind that are highly recommended distributions like Fedora, Linux Mint and openSUSE. Personally, guided to a new user-selectable Ubuntu or Fedora and software versions avoid alpha, beta and release candidate (RC), and that can sometimes be unstable.
Moreover, if the user is considered advanced, will recommend the type distributions Debian, ArchLinux, Gentoo or Slackware.
2. Focus:
If the user's work focuses on a particular area of computing, it's worth checking the various options that we provides Ubuntu, Edubuntu or UbuntuScience as, or different from Fedora Spins.
3. Support:
Each of the GNU / Linux has its own community of users and developers, who at all times are the best places to get help when problems arise. So, before deciding on a particular distribution is a good idea to watch the different communities, visiting related forums or joining mailing lists assigned.
If instead you are not comfortable with this way of getting help, please note that you can also choose to purchase a Linux distribution payment provider's technical support. Distributions like Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Linux Enterprise Desktop Suce usually the best options for commercial distros.
4. Hardware:
One of the great things about Linux is that it can work seamlessly with older hardware or old computers or considered obsolete. This means that, unlike Windows, it is not necessary to have the latest machines.
For those with very old equipment, Puppy Linux is one of the best options. However, for desktop systems with unlimited resources, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, or editions of Debian or Fedora Xfce can be very helpful.
But if we have modern equipment, the Live CDs can make a big difference when choosing a GNU / Linux, because if we have a peripheral or device hardware in particular is good option to test it beforehand . That is, make sure that the desired distribution supports the device.
5. Software:
If for some reason you can not do without any particular software, you should make sure in advance that the application is available on the GNU / Linux environment. What is recommended here is see if there is, in the first instance, an open source version. If instead it is a proprietary application, it is advisable to check if someone in the community has been run on any Linux distribution. Or alternatively, we can opt for Wine, an application that allows you to run Windows programs on Linux.
After seeing these tips, and whatever distribution you choose, it is good idea to test in the first instance a Live CD or Live USB, so that if the chosen distro is not right, nothing is installed on your disk machine. Also many advise starting with dual boot (Windows and Linux) for migration is not tortuous. Even it is advisable to have some reference reading material for users.
And always remember that, if elected the first distribution is inadequate, there are many more to try!
Best regards.
What is the best GNU / Linux distribution for any of us? It is clear that depends on many factors. But according to a study recently conducted by Linuxtrends popularity, Ubuntu Linux is the most popular distribution. Even remark that Ubuntu has many benefits for users, each with their own personal touch.
But let favoritism aside, and we fence directly to what we came. Here's 5 tips to choose the best GNU / Linux distribution.
1. Skills:
If you or those close to you have not used Linux before, you may prefer to continue with a distribution that is more relevant to novice users. Surely the first thing they think is in Ubuntu Linux. But we must also bear in mind that are highly recommended distributions like Fedora, Linux Mint and openSUSE. Personally, guided to a new user-selectable Ubuntu or Fedora and software versions avoid alpha, beta and release candidate (RC), and that can sometimes be unstable.
Moreover, if the user is considered advanced, will recommend the type distributions Debian, ArchLinux, Gentoo or Slackware.
2. Focus:
If the user's work focuses on a particular area of computing, it's worth checking the various options that we provides Ubuntu, Edubuntu or UbuntuScience as, or different from Fedora Spins.
3. Support:
Each of the GNU / Linux has its own community of users and developers, who at all times are the best places to get help when problems arise. So, before deciding on a particular distribution is a good idea to watch the different communities, visiting related forums or joining mailing lists assigned.
If instead you are not comfortable with this way of getting help, please note that you can also choose to purchase a Linux distribution payment provider's technical support. Distributions like Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Linux Enterprise Desktop Suce usually the best options for commercial distros.
4. Hardware:
One of the great things about Linux is that it can work seamlessly with older hardware or old computers or considered obsolete. This means that, unlike Windows, it is not necessary to have the latest machines.
For those with very old equipment, Puppy Linux is one of the best options. However, for desktop systems with unlimited resources, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, or editions of Debian or Fedora Xfce can be very helpful.
But if we have modern equipment, the Live CDs can make a big difference when choosing a GNU / Linux, because if we have a peripheral or device hardware in particular is good option to test it beforehand . That is, make sure that the desired distribution supports the device.
5. Software:
If for some reason you can not do without any particular software, you should make sure in advance that the application is available on the GNU / Linux environment. What is recommended here is see if there is, in the first instance, an open source version. If instead it is a proprietary application, it is advisable to check if someone in the community has been run on any Linux distribution. Or alternatively, we can opt for Wine, an application that allows you to run Windows programs on Linux.
After seeing these tips, and whatever distribution you choose, it is good idea to test in the first instance a Live CD or Live USB, so that if the chosen distro is not right, nothing is installed on your disk machine. Also many advise starting with dual boot (Windows and Linux) for migration is not tortuous. Even it is advisable to have some reference reading material for users.
And always remember that, if elected the first distribution is inadequate, there are many more to try!
Best regards.
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