Standardization of Linux

[ZiggyFish]

This is not meant to be flame bait.

I have an idea that I would like to past to you guys. Here's what it is (in my best description of it).

After reading this and this, it got me thinking. It would be great if we could direct a Linux newbie to a website, that helps them make a choice of distribution. The idea is to have a form or something like that. That allows them to find the right distribution(based on the User's experience and needs), and optionally tells them what is needed (procedure) to install it (i.e what drivers, which is based on the hardware that the User has).

This would help newbies, looking for the right distribution, but also would defragment, the current situation we have in picking the right distro. This solution would still allow for what Linux is, Choice. Also it would help the Linux community to standardize on solutions, for people.

What's your thoughts?

[Gustav]

Linux Distribution Chooser and Distrowatch are excellent resources. In my opinion, the possibility that Linux gives you to choose between different distros is one of its bests characteristics. The article you read stated the following:

Disadvantages to a Standard Linux Distribution
[...] We become a monolithic, bloated, close minded, inbred, operating system with no hope for innovation, and no motivation to think different.

I agree with that and there can't be anything worse than it...

[smolloy]

Such websites already exist.

zegenie Studios Linux Distribution Chooser
polishlinux.org » Distro chooser

[jayd512]

In fact, one of them is included in the newbie Stickie for the Distro test.

[smolloy]

In fact, one of them is included in the newbie Stickie for the Distro test.

I actually got both of them from the stickie in the newbie forum. I'm not sure if we can make them any easier for newbies to find!!

[ZiggyFish]

and optionally tells them what is needed (procedure) to install it (i.e what drivers, which is based on the hardware that the User has).

On those site, where is this problem solved?

[jayd512]

I actually got both of them from the stickie in the newbie forum. I'm not sure if we can make them any easier for newbies to find!!

Oh... Forgot the other one was there. But I agree that there's not really any way to make it easier! I mean, "Read This First" just about says it all.

On those site, where is this problem solved?

IMHO, that should be taken in to account by whoever is actually installing the OS. After all, most of the distros that I've come across have the system requirements pretty much put right out in front. And as far as drivers, that's becoming less of an issue every day.

[smolloy]

On those site, where is this problem solved?

Well. Those sites will give suggestions for which distro to chose. Once the user has made their choice, they can then go to the distro's website to find download links, installation instructions, forums, etc.

On the hardware issue, well the sheer volume of hardware out there makes having a single site devoted to driver instructions pretty difficult. Luckily, this isn't really a problem as hardware problems are few and far between on Linux these days, and can almost always be solved using forums like this, user forums for the individual distro, or a google search.

Since all this information is already out there, all that is needed is to link to it -- which is what this site does, as well as distrowatch, linuxtoday, osnews, etc. Having it all on one website isn't really necessary.

[oz]

I prefer make my own choice and like having lots of options.

When you go to the shoe store, you have options and have to pick the pair of shoes you like best. Would it really be better for everyone if every shoe maker in the world made the same shoes so that when you go to buy shoes there's only one design to pick from? It might make things easier, but certainly not better.

Leave me with the ability to choose and have options!

[ZiggyFish]

On the hardware issue, well the sheer volume of hardware out there makes having a single site devoted to driver instructions pretty difficult. Luckily, this isn't really a problem as hardware problems are few and far between on Linux these days, and can almost always be solved using forums like this, user forums for the individual distro, or a google search.

Do you expect your gandma do this (be honest), do you expect the average joe, to do this. Also I watch a lot of IRC and often this is a problem. And it would be nice to have specific site to help newbies get on Linux.

Also I'm not saying this would be easy, but the comunity could help build such a database, and would also decrease Linux's reputation of being to complicated to install. Remember we are now starting to talk to people how have no idea, what a partition is.

My point is we need to get beyond the, you must make a choice to between drivers. because 9/10 times, the user is going to choose windows over making that choice.