Linux distro for experienced Linux user

[arnuld.zero]

well, i did not find any relevent Forum for my question, except this one, so here is my question:

i am using Linux from last 10 months & have used Fedora, Debian & BLAG over ths time. now i feel irritated by "configuration using GUIs" as they hide the complexity.

e.g in Fedora, you go to "GNOME menu -> Adiministration -> Networking/Printing" & configure/install the Router/Printer from there, where as "localhost:631", "/etc/hosts" "/etc/resolv.conf" "ping/tcpdump" give you much flexibility, power & control over configuration & installation & even these command-line tools are much-expressive & helpful when a serious-problem arises like i had with my router. i also want latest (or at least "not old" softwares like GCC 3.x when GCC 4.x is here). i only work on GNOME, dont use KDE (a.k.a Windows's coloured-copy)

i found 2 distros fit my requirements:

1.) Arch
2.) Frugalware

Arch has serious bugs, i used it. i am downloading "Frugalware" right now. does anybody has any further suggestions for distros? or any other views?

[Thrillhouse]

I would say it depends on what purpose you're using this machine for. If you don't like the different Desktop Environments and Window Managers Linux has to offer, why don't you just try a text-based install? This is the most stable option, especially for maintaining a mission-critical server. CentOS would be a good choice here. Although, it seems like you would like to have a more bleeding-edge distro based on the fact that you want the newest releases of software. If that's the case then CentOS would not be a good choice. Have you tried Gentoo or Slackware? These are distributions geared more towards the proficient Linux user and can be tuned to your liking.

[smolloy]

If your goal is to stay away from configuration GUI's then I would recommend Slackware. As thrillhouse stated, Gentoo would be good.

Or you could be really daring, and try a Linux From Scratch installation....

[arnuld.zero]

I would say it depends on what purpose you're using this machine for. If you don't like the different Desktop Environments and Window Managers Linux has to offer, why don't you just try a text-based install?

well, i did not say that. i said "configuration" using GUIs, not "installation of Linux". i think i was not clear. so i say here: configuring router,printer etc & things like GUI package manager, i HATE. i like "apt-get" BTW.

well, i did install Arch Linux, OpenBSD, FreeBSD & NetBSD using "text-based" install. BSDs are not "copyleft" but Linux is & that is why i use it. in the end i want to work in GNOME & configure thing using command-line.

This is the most stable option, especially for maintaining a mission-critical server. CentOS would be a good choice here. Although, it seems like you would like to have a more bleeding-edge distro based on the fact that you want the newest releases of software. If that's the case then CentOS would not be a good choice.

YES, that is the *exact* reason i did not downlaod "centOS". you are good

Have you tried Gentoo or Slackware?

Slackware does not have GNOME. it has KDE (a.k.a Wndows coloured-copy)
( also it has GCC 3.4 whereas i need 4.x)

i tried Gentoo 2 times, it looks disgusting

These are distributions geared more towards the proficient Linux user and can be tuned to your liking.

that is why i am downloading "Frugalware" a Slackware based distro but with GNOME & GCC 4.x & every other thing there is in command-line like "Arch"

i am open to learning/suggestions, feel free to hit me with posts/emails

thanks

[Zoneseek]

You do know you can use a terminal in just about any distribution...

[antidrugue]

Slackware does not have GNOME. it has KDE (a.k.a Wndows coloured-copy)
( also it has GCC 3.4 whereas i need 4.x)

Many Slackware's Gnome packages exist : Freerock, Dropline, Gware, etc. Unless I am mistaking, GCC 4.x is in Slackware's current branch.

Did you take a look at Debian testing, or even Debian unstable (sid) ? I've been using Sid for quite a while now, and I've nothing to complain about. Those days It is not as bleeding edge as it is normally, simply because the focus is on Etch's release. Still, it is an exceptional distro.

Also, Zenwalk is Slackware based but more up to date. It is a very light & speedy distro (with Gnome 2.16, and all the latest).

[arnuld.zero]

You do know you can use a terminal in just about any distribution...

of course i know and Fedora have both GUI & Terminal but i used my broadband for 2 months with full of troubles & i always accused my ISP ;-( and one day i installed NetBSD where i had to create files "/etc/mygate", "/etc/ifconfig.vr0" etc. manually and all of my troubles disappeared. NO i can not use NetBSD, i have decided to work only on "copyleft" softwares, BSDs are not copyleft but Linux is.

[Juan Pablo]

Get Gentoo, you wont have any GUI

[arnuld.zero]

Get Gentoo, you wont have any GUI

i tried to install it through 2006.1 "amd64-minimal-install-CD". i downloded & installed "Stage3-tarball" without any trouble. when i did:

"tar -xvjf --latest-portage-tarball-here-- -C /usr"

it threw 1000s of messages like this:

"CAN NOT OPEN FILE: no such file or directory"

MD5SUMs are fine, what could be wrong?

( i have also posted it in "Gentoo Forum", just posted it here to complete the communication)

[psic]

Just to answer the original question:

1. Linux from Scratch
2. Gentoo
3. Slackware

In that order. I use gentoo and love it.

As to the last post, try adding the path to the --latest-portage-tarball-here--?