Suggestions on which Linux build I should try?

[Steve_F]

Hey, I hae been a XP user for the past I don't know how long, and I have been wanting to make the switch to Linux.
Just to start off, my computer's specs are:
Pentium D dual core 3.2 Ghz
4 GB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT
1.3 TB total HDD space
64 bit OS
In XP I always preffered to turn off al visual setting and run it like 2000. Other things to note are that I like to watch videos, and sometimes the formats are MKV, or OGM. Other than that I will be playing music , and editing images.
Recently, I downloaded Ubuntu and have been running that on a separate hard drive to get the feel of it. My GFX card works, the GIMP is working for my image tasks, (i can't find any good video programs) but basically the groundwork is in place for me to have what I need.
But, there are things about Ubuntu I don't like. Is there another Linux build to suggest that might better suit my needs. Also, I am generally pretty well technically oriented, and I don't need the OS to baby me or anything like that as long as I can get a push in the right direction.

[b2bwild]

Check this site. it will suggest you a good distro for you.
zegenie Studios Linux Distribution Chooser

If you are familier with ubuntu. You can try Linux Mint
Main Page - Linux Mint
Mint Comes with all browser plugins, multimedia codecs and easy configuration utilities. in background its Ubuntu.

else there are many Like Mandriva, OpenSUSE, Fedora, Slackware, etc.
check full list and features here---> DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.

[Steve_F]

Cool, I'll try that site out. I also wanted to note that it is running slower than my XP runs, and I'd prefer it were as fast or quicker. Not sure if that varys from build to build or just computer to computer.

[reed9]

Speed can vary between distros, though the biggest factor will be the desktop environment or window manager you use. Despite a lot of people saying the change between ubuntu 8.10 and 9.04 isn't significant, I think the speed improvement alone is worth the upgrade. This is the first time I've felt Ubuntu was usable. 8.10 was like a snail to me on a machine with 3 GB RAM and an Intel Core2 E7200 processor. I just installed 9.04 last night, coming from Arch, and it compares pleasantly on the speed front. (Arch will never leave my laptop, though.)

What about Ubuntu didn't you like?

Also, what are looking for in a "video program"? Did you look at avidemux?

[Steve_F]

I have 9.04 as well. In a video program, I'd prefer it play all the formats I have such as OGM, MKV, etc. I can get these to play with various codecs(if thats what they are called in linux) but it is not as smooth as they play on my XP using Zoom Player, VLC, or KM Player. I've tried using MPlayer, VLC, and Movie player.
A few specifics I didn't like was
#1 Speed of the system is just simply not as fast
#2 The lack of smooth video playback
#3 Firefox keeps crashing on me at random, and even in Opera there are random errors. my FF on XP works perfect
#5 I have an MTP mp3 player. Sometimes it works, sometimes it freezes whichever program I am using to sync. I don't like WMP, but this never happens.
Overall, I am the kind of person that just wants it to work quickly and correctly. I am not for flair in the OS or anything of the sort just want to get what I need done.

I understand it may sound nitpicky, but if I'm going to depend on this as my OS i want it to work perfect.

[b2bwild]

agreed, as reed9 said speed can be varied between distros..
But mostly between desktops enviroments.
I mean you can get 150-250MB memory dropout from switching from fully loaded Gnome/KDE to Openbox/Fluxbox/LXDE/IceWM which are more minimalistic.
and XFCE and Enligtenment for those who want a balanced solution.

So dont just try distros. try Desktop and Window managers too.

EDIT:

for codecs in Ubuntu, you need to install ubuntu-restricted-modules and ubuntu-restricted-extras.

In Mint/Mandriva its already installed

[Steve_F]

Cool, I was wondering if maybe the Desktop Enviroment might be a factor as well. I have been using Ubuntu for a week and have become somewhat familiar, but it's basically minor things that stop me from using this as my main OS.
Thanks for all the help!

[reed9]

#1 Speed of the system is just simply not as fast
#2 The lack of smooth video playback
#3 Firefox keeps crashing on me at random, and even in Opera there are random errors. my FF on XP works perfect
#5 I have an MTP mp3 player. Sometimes it works, sometimes it freezes whichever program I am using to sync. I don't like WMP, but this never happens.

1. Ubuntu has compositing and compiz running by default if your system supports it. If those are running, turn them off and you should see a speed increase for opening windows and such. May help with your video playback problem as well.

2. I've never experienced choppy video playback. Outside of some issues that can occur with compiz, not sure what the fix might be. What is your video card and what driver are you using?

3. If you're not tied to Firefox's plugins, try epiphany or midori as lighter alternate browsers. (Or arora if you don't mind the qt dependencies.)

4. I use a sansa fuze, and I haven't experienced freezes. Not sure what the solution for this might be. What programs are you using to sync?

I would definitely suggest trying XFCE for a desktop environment. I use that on my laptop with Arch, and it's quite fast. Xubuntu, however, is probably one of the slowest implementations of XFCE. If you don't mind doing a little work to set up the machine as you like, you might try Debian as an alternative. Read this comparison.

EDIT: Also, choosing lighter weight programs will help. epdfview over evince, for example, or gthumb over f-spot.

[Steve_F]

I really do prefer FF, if not ONLY for the Adblock plugin. For music programs, I have tried the Rythymbox that was included and also Songbird. Both of these start up very slowly and seem to either not recognise or recognise my player at will.
I have a GeForce 9800 GT and I installed the newest 64 bit Linux driver off of their site.
I have the visual effect set to none, btw.

[reed9]

I've heard complaints about the newer nvidia drivers. You might try one from the 177.xx releases.

Rhythmbox is a full featured player, but it is pretty slow. I haven't found a player I'm particularly satisfied with on that front. Quod Libet isn't bad as a basic player. Audacious works well, but I don't like how it integrates (or doesn't) into my desktop themes. I often end up using console based music players alot, like cmus and moc. Though recently I set up an mpd server, and have been using ario and sonata, and I'm pretty happy with those.

Firefox has been known to have some issues with its linux build. This is supposedly fixed in the upcoming 3.5 release. I personally haven't had any troubles with 3.0.10.

What mp3 player do you have and can it work as a mass storage device? I've never bothered with syncing through music player programs.