Help me choose a Distro! Dell E1505

[COKE CAN]

Specs

120GD SATA HDD
nVidia 7300
C2D 1.6G
1.5GB DDR2
Intel 54Mbps wireless card
SD card slot (gets used for pictures)

What I am looking for:

I am looking for something that will provide the opportunity to learn. I don't mind compiling, as long as I have the information to do so. I will store pictures on the computer as well as use it for my degree in Network & Computer Security. I will need to use wireless with no headaches. Like I said, if I need to compile the driver, that's ok, but once I compile it I want it to work.

I have used Ubuntu in the past, but it was a bit too easy.

I want to be able to get everything installed and running within a day.

Would Gentoo or Slackware be ideal?

What are your suggestions and why?

[MikeTbob]

Specs
I want to be able to get everything installed and running within a day.

Would Gentoo or Slackware be ideal?

What are your suggestions and why?

Cross Gentoo off that list, it took me over a week to Gentoo running the way I want it. Of course you may have a much faster PC than I do, still, it's gonna take awhile.

I haven't tried Slackware yet.....
Good Luck.

[oz]

Arch, Crux, Debian, Gentoo, and Slackware are all good "learning linux" distros, but like MikeTbob said above, Gentoo will be very time intensive with long source compile times. Crux will do about the same, so that leaves Arch, Debian, and Slackware.

Arch and Debian both have very nice package management tools that garners them lots of fans. Slackware is a bit more primitive when it comes to package management, but that allows you to learn more about linux packages and their installation.

I like all these distros, but maybe some of the others will have some other suggestions/tips.

[Dapper Dan]

I have a new Dell E520 and it run Ubuntu like it was made for it. In fact, I think it was.

I've not tried Slackware on this box yet. If you can get it installed it is a really good distro to learn with.

[COKE CAN]

I have a new Dell E520 and it run Ubuntu like it was made for it. In fact, I think it was.

I've not tried Slackware on this box yet. If you can get it installed it is a really good distro to learn with.

I'm really leaning towards Slack

Thanks for your suggestions guys!

[gruven]

I have an HP dv2000t, and it has almost identical specs to yours. I run Gentoo, mostly because it is my distro of choice. I have run debian, gentoo, and a couple other distros here and there, but I like Gentoo.

I think most any distro will work on your hardware, and you can learn a lot from any of them, even ubuntu.

[COKE CAN]

I have an HP dv2000t, and it has almost identical specs to yours. I run Gentoo, mostly because it is my distro of choice. I have run debian, gentoo, and a couple other distros here and there, but I like Gentoo.

I think most any distro will work on your hardware, and you can learn a lot from any of them, even ubuntu.

I have prepared all of my files for the switch (i.e. import all email into Thunderbird and copied folder files, moved important docs/pics/etc to my file server)

Tomorrow I will be working, so I think I will bring the laptop in and begin. I will make a copy of Slack, Gentoo, and Ubuntu install CDs.

Wish me luck. I hope to walk out tomorrow evening with one of those fully installed.

[Dapper Dan]

I hope to walk out tomorrow evening with one of those fully installed.

Why not install all three? I wouldn't recommend doing it all in one day, but over a few weeks it's doable and you'll learn a lot in the process. Install one, and after a good breaking in period of familiarity, do another then another. I have 6 distros on one computer and have learned a great deal from each.

[COKE CAN]

Why not install all three? I wouldn't recommend doing it all in one day, but over a few weeks it's doable and you'll learn a lot in the process. Install one, and after a good breaking in period of familiarity, do another then another. I have 6 distros on one computer and have learned a great deal from each.

If I had the time, I would greatly enjoy that. Unfortunately, I do not. I work full time as a Systems Analyst, go to school 9 hours a week, and study for certifications. I barely have time to squeeze in sleep!