The linux test is back

[pofnlice]

yup...just take it!

The Test

took it, said I should Ubuntu or Debian (hmmm). I am running Ubuntu...

We found the following perfect match(es):

Ubuntu
   Homepage: http://www.ubuntulinux.org/
Screenshots: Click to view screenshots of this distribution
Ubuntu is a free, open source operating system that starts with the breadth of Debian and adds regular releases (every six months), a clear focus on the user and usability (it should "Just Work", TM) and a commitment to security updates with 18 months of support for every release. Ubuntu ships with the latest Gnome release as well as a selection of server and desktop software that makes for a comfortable desktop experience off a single installation CD.

(This distribution also has a "Live CD" you can use to test the distribution before you install it)

Debian
   Homepage: http://www.debian.org/
Screenshots: Click to view screenshots of this distribution
Debian is a free operating system (OS) for your computer. An operating system is the set of basic programs and utilities that make your computer run. Debian GNU/Linux provides more than a pure OS: it comes with over 15490 packages, precompiled software bundled up in a nice format for easy installation on your machine.

In addition, we found these matches, sorted by how well they match:

Kubuntu
Kubuntu is a user friendly operating system based on KDE, the K Desktop Environment. With a predictable 6 month release cycle and part of the Ubuntu project, Kubuntu is the GNU/Linux distribution for everyone.

Visit Kubuntu at: http://www.kubuntu.org/

Failed these criteria:
# Does not use the desired desktop environment, but has it available

Fedora
The goal of The Fedora Project is to work with the Linux community to build a complete, general purpose operating system exclusively from open source software. Fedora Core is built to provide choice. It includes the latest versions of many software packages, including both GNOME and KDE desktop environments. Fedora Extras, a repository built entirely by volunteers, provides thousands more packages, and is enabled for use by default.

Visit Fedora at: http://fedora.redhat.com/

Failed these criteria:
# Does not have a text-based installer

Mandriva
Mandriva Linux (formerly known as Mandrake Linux) was created in 1998 with the goal of making Linux easier to use for everyone. Mandriva offers all the power and stability of Linux to both individuals and professional users in an easy-to-use and pleasant environment.

Visit Mandriva at: http://www.mandrivalinux.org/

Failed these criteria:
# Does not have a text-based installer
# Does not use the desired desktop environment, but has it available

[piratePenguin]

I got Gentoo, Slackware, and Arch.

I'm using and loving Ubuntu atm

[Orethrius]

Gentoo and Slackware here - sounds about right, considering I'm already specing out this laptop for compatibility.

[pofnlice]

mines Ubunu 6.0.6 ltx

[GenuineAdvantage]

My result is Fedora. I have it installed, but recently I've been using others more. The results said something about speed. What? Fedora is faster than Ubuntu, Debian and Mandriva??? Seems the same to me even on this old thing.

[Lead Head]

I got fedora, mandriva and openSuSE. I like fedora and openSuSE, but not mandrive so much

[Calum]

that's a great test! it gave me fedora for first choice, and kubuntu, mandriva, ubuntu and debian as runner ups, which is basically my actual top five of preference. it missed out good old slack though, don't know why that wasn't in the list, since i arguably prefer it over mandrake.

[H_TeXMeX_H]

My result is Fedora. I have it installed, but recently I've been using others more. The results said something about speed. What? Fedora is faster than Ubuntu, Debian and Mandriva??? Seems the same to me even on this old thing.

Well, I now know that speed depends on a lot of things ... least of all your distro. Using a different window manager will increase speed up to 100 fold (fluxbox or XFCE or other light wms). Using initng instead of initrc may also significantly increase boot speed (if you ever figure out how to configure it). Compiling everything from source will also increase speed, but you probably won't notice it much. Like for example compiling a game from source rather than binary saved me about 2-5 FPS ... great ... well not really noticible unless you get very low FPS anyway. Running prelink will really speed things up too. etc. etc. Distro does not mean too much here ... unless it's poorly configured, but even then it has to be really horribly configured to notice a difference in speed.

[jtpenrod]

My results were: Slackware and Gentoo. I prefer Slack, and that's what I've been running for a couple of years now. Only complaint I have with Slack is that I prefer Enlightenment over either KDE or GNOME, and E isn't included on the Slack CDs.

Of course, it's NBD to install something like Fluxbox, which is included, and go get the E "tarballs" and compile and install it.

[solemnwarning]

I'm using debian, it gave me debian and kubuntu

[mobrien_12]

Says Mandriva or OpenSuSE.  I'd go with shrink wrapped SuSE if I switched from fedora.

[Pathos]

Gentoo + Slackware

results would be completely different if they asked: do you want it to just work perfectly first time...

I want to install gentoo on my main machine but don't have the time. And vector linux is working so well ... no hard drive space...

[Calum]

vector linux is working well? i really liked the sound of it but could never get it to work for my video card... a shame really, if it's so good, if it were shite (like kmlinux, the worst linux distro ever) then at least i could feel glad i never got to use it.

[worker201]

[OFFTOPIC]

Well, I now know that speed depends on a lot of things ... least of all your distro. Using a different window manager will increase speed up to 100 fold (fluxbox or XFCE or other light wms). Using initng instead of initrc may also significantly increase boot speed (if you ever figure out how to configure it). Compiling everything from source will also increase speed, but you probably won't notice it much. Like for example compiling a game from source rather than binary saved me about 2-5 FPS ... great ... well not really noticible unless you get very low FPS anyway. Running prelink will really speed things up too. etc. etc. Distro does not mean too much here ... unless it's poorly configured, but even then it has to be really horribly configured to notice a difference in speed.

I certainly hope that when you are building you are using the appropriate C-flags.  Here's my C-flags (for a Pentium 4):
 

Code: [Select]

CFLAGS=-O2 -fomit-frame-pointer -mmmx -msse -mfpmath=sse

If your programs aren't built to take advantage for things like SSE and MMX, then you aren't really getting your money's worth.  Just a friendly reminder that self-building should give you a bit more performance enhancement, if done correctly.
[/OFFTOPIC]

[H_TeXMeX_H]

[OFFTOPIC] Alright, but I usually use -O3, is that ok too ? [/OFFTOPIC]