Can someone help me...please :)

[onlinebacon]

First of all, this is not a what distro thread, merely a suggestion one.

I am looking for a fast distro, with some admin tools, and a decent package management system. It has to be intermediate-iish level, so I can learn, and be lazy from time to time.

Anyone know of one, x86 and x86_64 please

[josolanes]

i'd recommend gentoo, but you have to be willing to go through an intermediate install first. after that, it's similar to most distros, but gives you more control and more intermediate-level things to do....most things are handled through the command line in gentoo

the package managament, portage, is excellent and pretty easy to use...but it's also command line (but don't let that bother you..it is easy)
the basic install command is:

emerge pkgname

to uninstall:

emerge unmerge pkgname

to update it's list of packages:

emerge sync

you build from nothing, so you know what's on your computer. you have to install xorg, kde (or gnome or whatever other window manager you'd like), a system logger, cron, everthing. but most of what is needed is handled in the gentoo handbook. this is the most important thing you could have when installing it, or even for refrencing in the future.

if you want admin tools, you'll need to find the names to them, but you install them

you'll end up with a system with no bloat and that has everything you want...and it's quick, very configurable, and has an excellent package manager. it's also intermediate-level, but should be fairly easy to get used to if you have some linux background (i only used linux for 3 months before trying gentoo).

it comes in x86 (install cd and package cd ) and amd64 (install cd and package cd)


i'd recommend reading this sticky to get an understanding of peoples' thoughts of a new user trying gentoo.


hope this helps some

[psic]

I second Gentoo. Besides it, possibly Damn Small Linux. Quick and light, based on Debian (which means you can use apt-get).

[a thing]

Fedora has a decent package manager, is "intermediate" with "intermediate" admin tools (/usr/bin/system-config-***) and is for x86_64, PPC and x86.

[anomie]

I would also throw FreeBSD in the mix (unless you strictly want a Linux distro) as well for consideration.

Similar pros and cons as gentoo. As for your own points:
* It's fast.
* There are admin tools (which you may need to install, depending on your exact needs).
* Great package (and source) management software.

I'd argue that it fits the "intermediate" level requirements.

[onlinebacon]

Thanks for the help everyone, I am going to try Fedora Core 4 ( Gentoo takes too long ) and I will have FreeBSD on a second slice to play around with ( though fc4 will be main)

Thanks again

onlinebacon

[techieMoe]

( Gentoo takes too long )

Have you considered VidaLinux? It's a quicker way to get a functional Gentoo system working. Just a thought.

[Dapper Dan]

I think Mepis would fit the bill.

[josolanes]

( Gentoo takes too long )

Have you considered VidaLinux? It's a quicker way to get a functional Gentoo system working. Just a thought.

i agree..that works too. it's up and running as quickly as Fedora Core (same installer) and is very easy to setup. once it's working, you then have the option of doing intermediate things or using it's GUI programs that make things easier

VidaLinux already comes prepackaged with some basic programs and, if i'm correct, comes with Gnome (I used it a while back)

[psic]

I think Mepis would fit the bill.

Mepis is nowhere near fast. Straight debian would be faster.