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Author Topic: What is the latest view on the best Linux Distro to replace Windows 7  (Read 13428 times)

AArdvark

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I am risking the usual Holy Wars but will ask anyway.

As per Subject:
What is the latest view on the best Linux Distro to replace Windows 7 ?

I am not a noob re: Unix/Linux but it has been some years since I used anything in anger and not as a desktop Environment. (More server orientated Oracle based stuff bespoke S/w etc)
I need access to the usual Desktop apps (Word Proc, Spreadsheets etc)
Flashy desktop not a must but it must be useable as Win 7 or OSX (cough spit) :)

My Unix/Linux skills are old rusty but usable. :)
I can get up to speed quick enough.

Just trying to get a workable short list of the front runners.
I will be able to try then all in a few virtual machines to get a good feel for the usability.

Many thanks for all responses. [I hope :) ]

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roseway

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Re: What is the latest view on the best Linux Distro to replace Windows 7
« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2015, 06:34:40 PM »

I would suggest Mint, which is arguably the most popular at present, or Mageia, a spin-off from the late lamented Mandriva.
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  Eric

AArdvark

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Re: What is the latest view on the best Linux Distro to replace Windows 7
« Reply #2 on: August 07, 2015, 06:43:21 PM »

I would suggest Mint, which is arguably the most popular at present, or Mageia, a spin-off from the late lamented Mandriva.
Thanks Mint is on my shortlist.
Currently everyone says Mint as soon as you mention Linux. :)
Never heard of it before !
I am also looking at Elementary which was mentioned in a video on YouTube in passing.
Anyway thanks for the confirmation.

Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

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Weaver

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Re: What is the latest view on the best Linux Distro to replace Windows 7
« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2015, 06:50:49 PM »

What's the story with Ubuntu?
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MartinGoose

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Re: What is the latest view on the best Linux Distro to replace Windows 7
« Reply #4 on: August 07, 2015, 07:00:32 PM »

I would suggest Mint, which is arguably the most popular at present, or Mageia, a spin-off from the late lamented Mandriva.

Mint with the Cinnamon desktop is good for your first foray into Linux. I use PCLinuxOS with the KDE desktop on all my PCs including an original Acer Aspire One.
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AArdvark

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Re: What is the latest view on the best Linux Distro to replace Windows 7
« Reply #5 on: August 07, 2015, 07:21:20 PM »

What's the story with Ubuntu?

Now you have started it !  :o ;D ;)

My understanding is:
Ubuntu seems to provoke strong emotions in the Linux community from what I have read, or rather Canonical Ltd the creators of Ubuntu.
They have lots of power/money compared to the average Distro & their adherents.
This causes a lot of comment re: their power and influence in the Linux World.
Also from what I have read Canonical decided to develop the Unity shell to replace Gnome 3‘s shell; a decision not without its detractors :)
(The usual Desktop front end was KDE or Gnome, Canonical decided to go there own way with Unity, which upset old Ubuntu users and new ones as well.)
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AArdvark

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Re: What is the latest view on the best Linux Distro to replace Windows 7
« Reply #6 on: August 07, 2015, 07:42:30 PM »

Sorry OT:
Could not resist.  ;D
I would recommend watching two YouTube Videos:

Linux Sucks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pOxlazS3zs

Windows is Awesome https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu0l-Ac7fTU

Very entertaining.  ;D ;D :D

P.S.
Below a reasoned opinion re: Operating Systems  ;D :D


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licquorice

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Re: What is the latest view on the best Linux Distro to replace Windows 7
« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2015, 07:51:13 PM »

They are all much of muchness these days, try 'em all and see what you like. I use Ubuntu on a netbook, works for me. I've got Mageia on an old machine to play with but haven't done much with it.
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burakkucat

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Re: What is the latest view on the best Linux Distro to replace Windows 7
« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2015, 08:34:35 PM »

I have two installations of RHEL, one 6.7, the second 7.1 and one installation of CentOS 5.11.

Other people (asbokid and Eric (Roseway)) are happy with Debian. (There is, of course, a lightweight port of Debian for the Raspberry Pi. (As N*Star will attest.))
« Last Edit: August 08, 2015, 04:55:07 PM by burakkucat »
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AArdvark

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Re: What is the latest view on the best Linux Distro to replace Windows 7
« Reply #9 on: August 07, 2015, 09:03:41 PM »

They are all much of muchness these days, try 'em all and see what you like. I use Ubuntu on a netbook, works for me. I've got Mageia on an old machine to play with but haven't done much with it.
Thanks, I sort of know they are ... but I might be missing something which is why I asked.
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broadstairs

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Re: What is the latest view on the best Linux Distro to replace Windows 7
« Reply #10 on: August 07, 2015, 09:09:51 PM »

I currently use Fedora (a KDE version). The desktop you chose is as if not more important that the distro. The two main ones are KDE which is quite Windows like and Gnome which I personally hate with a vengeance. Then there are others some of which are pretty good on a low power PC. I previously use Mandriva and tried Mageia then PCLinux but did not like the support community. Ended up with Fedora after trying Kubuntu (a KDE version of Ubuntu). Ubuntu was mainly Gnome and now has I different desktop I believe but I've not tried it. I would suggest a KDE desktop if you are coming form Windows. I gvae my wife a KDE/Linux laptop and she did not really notice the difference from W7.

Stuart
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AArdvark

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Re: What is the latest view on the best Linux Distro to replace Windows 7
« Reply #11 on: August 07, 2015, 09:13:40 PM »

I have two installations of RHEL, one 6.7, the second 7.1 and one installation of CentOS 5.11.

Other people (asbolid and Eric (Roseway)) are happy with Debian. (There is, of course, a lightweight port of Debian for the Raspberry Pi. (As N*Star will attest.))
Thanks RedHat/CentOS are known, wasn't sure if they were now 'old hat' (groan :) )
I have used RHEL(RedHat) in anger many many moons ago but not as a Desktop OS.
Also dabbled with CentOS as a official RedHat clone.
At the time the front-end (Desktop Environment) was not great on any Linuxes, too 'almost, but not quite, entirely unlike' XP. [Tip of Hat to Douglas Adams :)]
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AArdvark

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Re: What is the latest view on the best Linux Distro to replace Windows 7
« Reply #12 on: August 07, 2015, 09:24:42 PM »

I currently use Fedora (a KDE version). The desktop you chose is as if not more important that the distro. The two main ones are KDE which is quite Windows like and Gnome which I personally hate with a vengeance. Then there are others some of which are pretty good on a low power PC. I previously use Mandriva and tried Mageia then PCLinux but did not like the support community. Ended up with Fedora after trying Kubuntu (a KDE version of Ubuntu). Ubuntu was mainly Gnome and now has I different desktop I believe but I've not tried it. I would suggest a KDE desktop if you are coming form Windows. I gvae my wife a KDE/Linux laptop and she did not really notice the difference from W7.

Stuart

Thanks, I did mention that I know Ubuntu is now Unity not KDE or Gnome, and all the feedback Canonical  got from old & new users. :)
Never did like Gnome much but years ago KDE was not much better. Shades of gray really.
I did work with UNIX and Linux (if pushed) but mainly got to a shell and worked there. (I liked the Korn Shell but that is a different religious argument  :D :D ;) )

I wonder if anyone has ever managed to do a clone of AIX or Hp-ux ? <jk>  :D
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AArdvark

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Re: What is the latest view on the best Linux Distro to replace Windows 7
« Reply #13 on: August 07, 2015, 09:45:52 PM »

Sorry I am off topic again.

My mention of AIX and HP-ux got me thinking.
I used to use (a little) VMS which became OpenVMS when it was abandoned by DEC.

I have just found that OpenVMS STILL EXISTS !!!!!!!!!???  :o :o :o :yay: :yay:

If you have never heard of it or used it, it was wonderful but very unique to DEC.
Commandline completion was in another world and it would hold your hand and question what you did if it was ambiguous ???
None of the terminology was like UNIX or Linux or anything else in the world.
But it was 'Rock Solid' it ran and ran and ran. Absolutely Wonderful. :)

[Sorry, just gobsmacked it still exists.)
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Weaver

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Re: What is the latest view on the best Linux Distro to replace Windows 7
« Reply #14 on: August 07, 2015, 10:27:29 PM »

@Aardvark  -my background was originally entirely VMS 1983-1989. Then some MS/DOS, 1986-1993, then NT in 1994 and remained there ever since.

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