Linux? OK! Version? ....
 

hi all
i got a little problem
i am seriously considering switching from windows to linux on my desktop and i was wondering:
which version of linux would be more suitable to use with the n900?
i mean which should i install on my desktop to be the most compatible with the n900?

thanks

Re: Linux? OK! Version? ....
 

I guess it all depends on what you mean by compatible, and how much Linux experience you have. My first thought is always Ubuntu, simply because it's easy to install and gives you a good default (though I'm not liking the 10.04 too much)

My next one would be Debian, but then I'd probably recommend you use Debian Squeeze instead of Lenny (Lenny being rather Old, and Debian Squeeze is very stable, though does have some small potential for breaking.)

I've been using Arch and loving it, but the N900 is Debian based, and learning Debian is really going to help you learn more of the inner workings of the N900 better.

slaapliedje

Re: Linux? OK! Version? ....
 

What do you mean by "compatible"? Every Linux will work fine with the N900. A distribution with a recent kernel (e.g. Ubuntu) includes the Nokia drivers for using the N900 as 3G modem for the computer.

Re: Linux? OK! Version? ....
 

In my opinion it won't matter which distribution you'll choose.

I suggest using the 'version' that feels best for you.
Try a few Live-CDs and check which one fits you best.

If something works with ubuntu it will work with openSuse it will work with Debian.

In my opinion Ubuntu is a good start, because it's very easy to handle for beginners...

Re: Linux? OK! Version? ....
 

All linux distributions will be compatible with your n900.
Suse Linux, Fedora, Ubuntu, etc all will do.
I use Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx.
Download it from http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download

Re: Linux? OK! Version? ....
 

Personally I opt for opensuse.

www.opensuse.org

You can download any system config to suite you, 32bit, 64bit, live cd etc.

rgds

Re: Linux? OK! Version? ....
 

Thats a good point... if you choose a debian-based distribution it will be a benefit for your understanding of the Maemo-basics, cause its debian based also...

Btw:
Nice to see another 'Archer' around here ;)

[edit]
If you want to look around for debian-based Distros you might wan't to have look at www.distrowatch.org.

[/edit]

Re: Linux? OK! Version? ....
 

Back at ya! I used to be a total Debian user, mainly because every time I'd use a different distro (including Ubuntu) something would annoy me and I'd end up going back to Debian.

I decided to dive into Arch and get it set up. After the initial setup everything is a breeze! Only thing I really miss is synaptic, but it was only good for certain things, I usually ended up using apt-get through command anyhow.

So using pacman or yaourt or clyde isn't much different for me.

slaapliedje

Re: Linux? OK! Version? ....
 

i recomend linux mint its a ubuntu based distribution very very stable and so much easy for beginners
www.linuxmint.com

Re: Linux? OK! Version? ....
 

The old long standing proverb says, that "You should choose the Linux distribution that your friendly neighbourhood Linux Geek uses".

But I second that if you're interested in Linux in context of N900, you should choose Debian itself or its more beginner friendly derivative - Ubuntu. This enables you to transfer acquired knowledge directly to Maemo.

Re: Linux? OK! Version? ....
 

Have a look at the website of DistroWatch. It features almost all Linux distributions there are. There is also a "top-100" list where you can see what distro is the most "popular". My advise, check out the top 15. There are many flavours to chose from ;)

And since my favorite wasn't mentioned before, I'd go for CentOS. It is based on the free sources of Red Hat Enterprise Linux which means a stable and long supported distribution.

Re: Linux? OK! Version? ....
 

Try gtkpacman or Shaman.

Re: Linux? OK! Version? ....
 

Yeah, I know about those, but if I recall they don't support AUR. Could be wrong about that, but usually it's faster for me to just right click, open terminal, type 'yaourt $whatever', wait a second, type a number, and hit N, Y, Y, done. :D

Speaking of Arch, I've seen the qt Creator 2.0 in the AUR, but haven't seen the full SDK yet. Anyone working on a PKGBUILD?

slaapliedje

Edit: gtkpacman does show the AUR packages as 'foreigners'. Cool.

Re: Linux? OK! Version? ....
 

I recommend Ubuntu (Gnome desktop) or Kubuntu (KDE Plasma desktop). Very easy to figure out and use. Much faster than Windows on the same hardware.

Re: Linux? OK! Version? ....
 

+1 *buntu.

+1 LinuxMint

(they're the same thing...)

Re: Linux? OK! Version? ....
 

I have been using Linux for many years now on second computers and on VM's, but about a year ago I switched to linux on my primary Laptop and I have been very happy with it. I have used a few distros (Slackware, Gentoo, Suse, Ubuntu, Kubuntu), and was happy with Ubuntu a few years ago. Someone I work with got me to switch to OpenSUSE about two years ago and it was very good--easy to administer and very well put together/documented). But after upgrading last year I was having trouble getting my aircard to work (which I really needed for work). I decided to try setting it up on Ubuntu to see if maybe that gave me some clues as to what the problem was, so I ran the live cd, plugged in the aircard, and before I could look up the instructions for setting it up, a network manager popup asked me who my carrier was and then connected me to the internet. I switched back to Ubuntu, and have been very happy for the last year, including doing development for my N900.

Ubuntu is good because it works with alot of hardware (though with a desktop that is less of a problem) and because there is ALOT of info on the internet to help troubleshoot problems when you have them. Also, many (but not all things) that are made available for general use on Linux will have Ubuntu installers. You can generally install just about anything on just about any distro (that's really part of what open source is all about), but if you are just learning you might have an easier time on Ubuntu when you don't want to spend a day learning all the ins and outs.

I also agree that the common Debian base will help somewhat with understanding how things work on your N900, but seeing how things work differently between a Yum/RPM based system and an Apt/DEB based system is also very helpful in understanding things, so you really can't go wrong either way. And you can always wipe and switch (or even dual boot) whenever you feel like it.

One more thing...virtual machines make alot of the "compatibility" issues obsolete. I do my scratchbox and qt programming work in an Ubuntu VM on my Ubuntu laptop, just to keep things separated and simple (and because I can run a 32 bit system as a virtual system on top of my 64 bit install). You can always put an Ubuntu VM on your OpenSuse desktop and use that (locally or remotely) when you want to do anything that is easier on a debian system. I like Virtualbox for that kind of thing (I prefer VMWare Server when I want to run unattended servers as VMs, but that is another discussion).

The choice is daunting because you are experiencing a new feeling: FREEDOM. Just pick one (I say Ubuntu - 64 bit if your hardware supports it), try it (just install with the defaults), and if you don't like it pick another or reinstall with different settings. You will learn more each time you install, and you really can't go wrong. But whichever you try, welcome to Linux!

Re: Linux? OK! Version? ....
 

WOW! Thanks for all (so many and sooo fast) replies!!!!
you guys are really great!
after reading the replies i guess my choice will be ubuntu because y'all say its good for beginners and i dont really have "a network of local geeks" :)
i would probably ask about dual booting and stuff like that but i'll try to put minimum stress on you guys and maximum on my friend google :)
thanks again and i promise i will be back with more questions :D
AND RESULTS TOO!!!! i would absolutely love to contribute to the linux 'society' as much as possible!

regards,