[SOLVED] With which distro will I learn the most about Linux?

[tatiana30241]

Hello Everyone,

I know the "which distribution should I choose" question must get really old around here, but I have done quite a bit of research and I am still undecided. I took some online quizzes to help me choose, but they are all geared toward finding something that fits within my current skill set, which when it comes to Linux is beginner. But I do not want to stay within my current skill set, or I will never learn anything. My goal is to learn the system as quickly as possible, so I need something that will let me see what is going on behind it without just bogging me down in another user friendly environment.

On the other hand, I don't think I want something like Slackware--not because I don't want the command line emphasis, but because it just seems so boring (no offence). I like a nice desktop, and it wouldn't be awful to have a few tools around for when I am feeling lazy. As long as I am not required to use them.

I have tried Mepis, Mandriva, Ubuntu, and Linux Mint, and I could live with any of them besides Ubuntu. Linux Mint is probably too cushy though.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks a lot.

[oz]

Welcome to the forums!

You can learn a great deal about Linux from putting together a Linux From Scratch system.

Otherwise, take a look at distros such as Arch, Crux, Gentoo, and Slackware.

Those suggestions aside, you can or should be able to learn about Linux from any distribution, but some like those suggested above force you to learn it, whereas many other distributions do more hand holding.

[gnuuser]

as far as learning linux there is a live cd iso called privare linux It is designed to teach you about linux.
It will give you the basics needed and the confidence to navigate.
consider the task's you would like to do and that should narrow it down.
then you can pick the one you like.
but you can also find and install apps for your distro easily

ozar is correct I have installed arch, and blag linux they were easy to install but you had to pay attention to what you were doing.
gentoo is a good distro but its installation should not be attempted by a novice without guidance

[tatiana30241]

Linux From Scratch--that's perfect! Thank you very much!

And thank you also, ozar, for actually answering the question as I asked it. Appreciated.

[reed9]

I would recommend installing something you can get going within a day or less, ie, Arch or Slackware, possibly Crux or Gentoo, though with compile time those can be a weekend project, and then work on LFS as a learning project. Just so you have a system you can actually use and learn some of the basics on while you're jumping into the deep end with LFS.

Slackware, or any distro, is as boring as you make it. By default, a full Slackware install uses KDE4, which is about the most shiny and full featured desktop environment out there. I recommend Arch, myself, but I'm biased.

[oz]

Linux From Scratch--that's perfect! Thank you very much!

Hope you'll have fun building your LFS system.

Do keep in mind that most users do it as a side project as it can take several months to actually achieve the final result, depending on how much time and effort you choose to put into it.

The main thing is to have fun with Linux in whatever way you pursue it.

[tatiana30241]

Yes, that is exactly what I thought I would do.

I guess I have some misconceptions about Slackware; I admit that I have a lot to learn. I will check it out, as well as Arch.

Thanks!

[MonthOLDpickle]

I want to get slackware 64 bit working but I seem to fail at doing this. Last time I tried I screwed up (maybe it was the USB boot thing??)..any tips?

[rokytnji]

any tips?

absolute linux home page

Puppy Linux Discussion Forum :: View topic - spup-451

Puppy Linux Discussion Forum :: View topic - frankenpup

www.zenwalk.org - Ever tried zen computing?

Welcome to VectorLinux — VectorLinux.com

Edit: Aww Hell. While I don't have the personality to play Hall Monitor. It is usually poor forum practice to hijack someones thread OlPickle.. Just in case ya didn't know.

[sqcomic]

Why not just install Ubuntu like everyone else. Seriously. It will get up and running fast, but it's really easy to peek under the hood - that's sort of built into Linux. That way you can tackle one thing at a time, instead of wondering what of 16 possible things could be going wrong. You can also install virtualbox and then install a different flavor on a virtual machine, and then you're in a safe sandbox where you can try all kinds of kooky things.