Zenwalk vs Vector

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06-15-2008
MetalheadGautham

Zenwalk vs Vector

I want to try out a system thats both easy to use and at the same time light on resources.

I don't want one where I need to edit configuration files by hand or where I need to login in text mode.

It should preferably have Xfce, since its the best DE with a balence of Light Weight and Features.

Most importantly, this system must be easy to get used to(my target users have an attention span thats a bit small)

I also need a good source for lots and lots of precompiled binaries of programs for that particular OS.

The OSes should not have TOO many annoying updates, like Sidux, since I intend to use them in a place where internet is precious.

Configuration and Administration should all be from a GUI.

I finally decided Slackware based distros, Zenwalk Linux and Vector Linux would be the best bet. I can easily get lots and lots of packages for them from linuxpackages.net when I need a program.

So which of the two should I try ?

I tried both live, and while Zenwalk 5.1 has a unfriendly looking large screen where I need to move my mouse to the border to show more of the screen, Vector 5.9 live is lesser used than Zenwalk.

I have the latest installers for both.

I think Vector Looks much better than Zenwalk.

I have no idea how their repositories are.

So which of the two should I choose ?
Do they fill all criteria at all ?
Is there an even better OS available ?
06-15-2008
oz

I've used both and I personally like Zenwalk a little better, but they are both available as free downloads, so it's best to try both and decide for yourself which you like best. I'm not certain that either of them will totally fill all your needs.

"Better OS" is strictly subjective and is different for each user.
06-15-2008
MetalheadGautham

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozar

I've used both and I personally like Zenwalk a little better, but they are both available as free downloads, so it's best to try both and decide for yourself which you like best. I'm not certain that either of them will totally fill all your needs.

"Better OS" is strictly subjective and is different for each user.

I used both of them live, and I can't figure out which is better.

As I said before, installing them and using for a day or two will show the true difference, but I lack the resources to do so.

For Zenwalk, only 5.1 is live, not 5.2. I have 5.1 live and 5.2 installer with me.
For Vector, Live is still Beta. I have live and installer of 5.9 with me.

This means neither is tested properly.

As far as UI Vector feels more Polished and eye appealing to me.

What was the thing you found about Zenwalk thats better than Vector ?
And what are the differences in administration of both ?

Finally, why the hell did Zenwalk have this oversized desktop where you need to point to the screen border to see more of it ? I find it REALLY annoying.
06-15-2008
bryansmith

You really should try each of them first. I suggest setting up a virtual machine and installing both to a VM. If you do this, you won't need a dedicated machine to test them.

I can guarantee you that the most common answer here will be "try them and decide for yourself". Personally, I like Zenwalk but that's just me.

Bryan
06-15-2008
colonelcrayon

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalheadGautham

I used both of them live, and I can't figure out which is better.

As I said before, installing them and using for a day or two will show the true difference, but I lack the resources to do so.

For Zenwalk, only 5.1 is live, not 5.2. I have 5.1 live and 5.2 installer with me.
For Vector, Live is still Beta. I have live and installer of 5.9 with me.

This means neither is tested properly.

As far as UI Vector feels more Polished and eye appealing to me.

What was the thing you found about Zenwalk thats better than Vector ?
And what are the differences in administration of both ?

Finally, why the hell did Zenwalk have this oversized desktop where you need to point to the screen border to see more of it ? I find it REALLY annoying.

Zenwalk 5.2 Live should be out soon. Visual appearance is totally worthless in examining a distro, because it can be easily customized. Both of these are very good distros, and you should try them both. Install one, and if it suits you, great. If not, try the other.

The oversized desktop is because your graphics card drivers aren't detected quite right. What kind of graphics card do you have?
06-15-2008
MetalheadGautham

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryansmith

You really should try each of them first. I suggest setting up a virtual machine and installing both to a VM. If you do this, you won't need a dedicated machine to test them.

I can guarantee you that the most common answer here will be "try them and decide for yourself". Personally, I like Zenwalk but that's just me.

Bryan

Me and VM ? Did I forget to tell you ? I run a P4 2.66GHz with 256mb RAM ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by colonelcrayon

Zenwalk 5.2 Live should be out soon. Visual appearance is totally worthless in examining a distro, because it can be easily customized. Both of these are very good distros, and you should try them both. Install one, and if it suits you, great. If not, try the other.

The oversized desktop is because your graphics card drivers aren't detected quite right. What kind of graphics card do you have?

I use Intel GMA900 Onboard graphics.

I know visual appearence is worthless, but still, its the ONLY difference I see.

I thought there may be difference in community support, software availablity, security, extra admin tools, etc. Thats where I need to find out the difference so I am asking here.
06-16-2008
colonelcrayon

Zenwalk uses Netpkg for its package management, while Vector uses slapt-get. The GUI for Netpkg is a bit strange, but I find it to be the better package manager. Zenwalk also offers the ZUR (Zenwalk User Repository), inspired by Arch's AUR. Read Zenwalk User Repository - Zenwalk Wiki.

Vector is also a very good distro. Again, I recommend that you just pick one and then try the other if the first is not to your liking.
06-16-2008
kveldulf980

I've used both, very recently, and I think I liked Zenwalk slightly more. That said, Vector seems to be really coming along, and is certainly no slouch. I forsee good things from bost camps in the future.
06-16-2008
MetalheadGautham

Quote:

Originally Posted by colonelcrayon

Zenwalk uses Netpkg for its package management, while Vector uses slapt-get. The GUI for Netpkg is a bit strange, but I find it to be the better package manager. Zenwalk also offers the ZUR (Zenwalk User Repository), inspired by Arch's AUR. Read Zenwalk User Repository - Zenwalk Wiki.

Vector is also a very good distro. Again, I recommend that you just pick one and then try the other if the first is not to your liking.

OK, thats exactly what I was looking for. The package management and availibility.
Are both of them compatible with LinuxPackages: View ?
And what is the choice offered by LinuxPackages: View ?

And btw, I used Ubuntu Feisty, Ubuntu Hardy, Debian Lenny and Debian Sid till now in the installed form. I am hence very much used to using apt-get. Will that mean I find slapt-get easier than netpkg ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kveldulf980

I've used both, very recently, and I think I liked Zenwalk slightly more. That said, Vector seems to be really coming along, and is certainly no slouch. I forsee good things from bost camps in the future.

Everyone I ask tell me they found Zenwalk slightly more likable than Vector. Any particular reason for this "slightly more likable" clause ?