hey there, looking to expand from just ubuntu

[Cew27]

hello i have been using ubuntu for a month now and love it, but i was wanting to expand from linux and try some other distributions, at the moment i am going to install all of the below on my laptop and have a play
fedora - want to get familiar with rpm and red hat installations
slackware - i have no idea what it is based on can anyone enlighten me to its pro's ?
simply mepis - want to try this praised distro
arch linux - one day i hope to be able to use this and build my own desktop
what are your views on all the above distros
thaks for reading and i hope you can help

[Manchunian]

Hi,

I've tried the following on your list:

fedora - not for me. Pretty, but too cpu thirsy and I'm not really keen on rpm distros - rpm hell is real! (when you install stuff outside the package manager)
slackware - love this. I have this on my second computer, but it's not for the faint hearted. The install is very flexible, but you need a certain experience of Linux to pull it off without a sweat!
Simply Mepis - Like Ubuntu - pretty much the same, but not as 'polished'. Not bad.

But there's one missing from your list - Debian! For me this is the best distro - although Slackware comes very close. Super fast, super reliable, just great all round. If you liked Ubuntu, you'll like this, but it requires a little more work to get it configured.

Hope that helps.

[oz]

I personally like Arch and Slackware but not overly fond of the other two. Lots of folks are probably just the opposite.

Have fun experimenting with the various distros.

[Cew27]

hmm i assumed debian was just like ubuntu as ubuntu is a derrivetive, also how is slackware hard to ... get to grips with

[Manchunian]

i assumed debian was just like ubuntu as ubuntu is a derrivetive

Yes and no. There are similarities between them, but Debian is more robust and less gui-orientated. Also, Debian does less stuff for you: you have to stand on your own two feet a bit more.

ow is slackware hard to ... get to grips with

It's the most Unix-like system there is out there. Again, mastering the command line is essential, and you need to be prepared to manage dependancies when installing software.

[Cew27]

hmm, whats a dependancy :P
could i manager by just throwing my self in the deep end?

[Manchunian]

whats a dependancy

Better find out before you install Slackware! It's a programme that is needed to run another programme.

[Cew27]

ok, i think i will run ubuntu for the next 6 months then after my exams, install and use slackware and then when im fully comfortable with it i will install arch linux, that seems like a nice learning curve
lastly what is knoppix good for ?

[Manchunian]

Well, it might be best to wait until your exams are over before getting into Slackware - everything you learn in Ubuntu will help you. However, perhaps you should consider Debian before Slackware. I say that not just because it's my favourite distro, but because it's a bit easier. I think the jump from Ubuntu to Slackware may be a bit much for a lot of people.
Knoppix? Well, it's a live cd, not something you install. It's good for trying out Linux and impressing your mates with Tux. You can also use it as a rescue CD.

[oz]

No GUI tools for system configuration in Arch and Slack, but I prefer manual configuration, anyway.