Okay, so where to next?

[Gallifrey]

Hi all,

this isn't really a newbie question as such, but I wasn't sure where else to put it,(Mods - please move if appropriate - Thanks).

Anyway, I have been using Linux on my laptop for a little while now, Ubuntu to be specific, and have picked it up quite well. I am proficient with the GUI and while not an expert at CLI, I am comfortable with it, and can pick things up pretty quickly.

I started using linux so I could learn to use a proper OS, and take full advantage of my hardware, which it has enabled me to do, but I am aware there is still so much more to learn. Ubuntu is a very easy distro to use, and I am itching to try something....different? Something a LITTLE more technical. I considered slackware, but doubt I have the technical nouse for it as yet, but I want to build up to that eventually.

If anybody could suggest another distro that I could use to take that next step up the ladder, I would be most grateful. Nothing too complex, but not too simple....something to exercise my technical knowledge while giving me a straightforward setup, with up to date software. And I prefer Gnome to KDE.

So, any suggestions??

Thanks in advance.

[oz]

Hello and welcome!

I'd recommend Arch, Debian, Gentoo, or Slackware (yes, I saw that you mentioned Slackware above) as the next step, with Debian probably being the easiest of those four, then Arch, then Slackware, then Gentoo. Others here might agree or disagree with that, but to me it matters not. What matters is that you have fun and learn from whatever distro that you try next.

Best of luck to you!

[elija]

I was going to suggest Debian. Although you can get right under the hood with Ubuntu. You just don't have to. Oh and Slackware isn't as scary as you think. Have a good read through the Slackbook before you try it though.