Author Topic: Looking for a new Linux distro!  (Read 5225 times)

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Offline alberthrocks

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Looking for a new Linux distro!
« on: November 12, 2012, 04:10:33 pm »
Although I am "brave" in programming things, overclocking, etc. etc., I'm a scaredy cat when it comes to upgrading a system. Especially Linux ones. (Blame it on Ubuntu's terrible upgrading.)

I currently have Mint Linux 10, a distribution that's quickly gathering dust. I'm looking for a distro that has up-to-date libraries and programs, but is solid in stability. (That's quite a bit to ask for, eh? :P) I'd prefer a Debian-esque system, since I'm already familiar with it and don't want to spend time to relearn it. It also needs to have word processing and web browsing. (Hint: LibreOffice and Firefox) And finally - it needs to be easy to setup (including data reimport). Time is key.

So basically:
  • Stability is king.
  • ...but of course with some pretty new libraries too!
  • Debian-esque.
  • Word processing and web browsing.
  • Quick and easy to setup.

As for backup and restore, I don't trust MintBackup for that. I want to keep not only /home, but also modified config files and programs that I've installed through the years. What tool would work for that?
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Offline flyingfisch

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Re: Looking for a new Linux distro!
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2012, 08:43:16 pm »
well, ubuntu 12.10 is looking pretty good...



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Offline willrandship

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Re: Looking for a new Linux distro!
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2012, 09:50:07 pm »
You could try classic debian, but keep in mind that if you do change from mint/ubuntu to something else, the configuration files will occasionally change places, meaning restoring them from a backup file will be difficult.

Offline alberthrocks

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Re: Looking for a new Linux distro!
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2012, 11:31:45 pm »
well, ubuntu 12.10 is looking pretty good...
Hehe, never again.... :P As long as those guys focus on monetizing customers and releasing unpolished work, I will not use their OS. :/

You could try classic debian, but keep in mind that if you do change from mint/ubuntu to something else, the configuration files will occasionally change places, meaning restoring them from a backup file will be difficult.
Actually, my ideal OS would be Debian 7, since it comes with all the shiny updates, and it's pretty stable. But you're right - Ubuntu/Mint does store config and such differently, which will affect quite a few things.
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Miss my old signature? Here it is!
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Alternate "New" IRC post notification bot (Newy) down? Go here to reset it! http://withg.org/albert/cpuhero/

Withgusto Networks Founder and Administrator
Main Server Status: http://withg.org/status/
Backup Server Status: Not available
Backup 2/MC Server Status: http://mc.withg.org/status/

Activity remains limited due to busyness from school et al. Sorry! :( Feel free to PM, email, or if you know me well enough, FB me if you have a question/concern. :)

Don't expect me to be online 24/7 until summer. Contact me via FB if you feel it's urgent.


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Spoiler For "My Projects! :D":
Projects:

Computer/Web/IRC Projects:
C______c: 0% done (Doing planning and trying to not forget it :P)
A_____m: 40% done (Need to develop a sophisticated process queue, and a pretty web GUI)
AtomBot v3.0: 0% done (Planning stage, may do a litmus test of developer wants in the future)
IdeaFrenzy: 0% done (Planning and trying to not forget it :P)
wxWabbitemu: 40% done (NEED MOAR FEATURES :P)

Calculator Projects:
M__ C_____ (an A____ _____ clone): 0% done (Need to figure out physics and Axe)
C2I: 0% done (planning, checking the demand for it, and dreaming :P)

Offline Juju

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Re: Re: Looking for a new Linux distro!
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2012, 11:43:40 pm »
Yeah, I might go with plain ol' Debian as well if I were you.

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Offline willrandship

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Re: Looking for a new Linux distro!
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2012, 01:19:31 am »
If you're after shiny updates, Arch is way better at it than debian (and it's still stable. Don't let the online peoples fool you!), but you also wanted debian-ish, so that's your best bet.

Offline Vogtinator

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Re: Looking for a new Linux distro!
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2012, 03:52:49 am »
openSUSE fits perfectly your needs.
If 12.2 isn't recent enough, you can use Tumbleweed (rolling release).