Suggestion for Linux distro needed

Staggerwing · October 24, 2015, 02:57:43 PM

This is a question for Huw or anyone else that's running Mint: What desktop environment should I start with? I have used Ubuntu before and have tried it out now on a minicomp I just got recently but I'd like to try out Mint instead. What's closest to Windows and what would be closest to OSX?

The options are:

Cinnamon
MATE
KDE
Xfce

Can I easily switch between them or would I need to reinstall? Thanks!

DoctorQuest · October 24, 2015, 04:19:18 PM

I don't know enough yet to tell you about switching but I am using Cinnamon and it looks and works very well.

My only complaint about Linux so far is I have had occasional lockups in the browser and rebooting seems to be the only solution. That may not be specific to Cinnamon.

Staggerwing · October 24, 2015, 05:26:59 PM

Thanks. I D/Led the Cinnamon distro and will install tonight. I've used Firefox on the Ubuntu distro on my little comp and had no problems. Admittedly, I've only browsed a little while for answers to tech questions while trying to get a DVD player program installed. Most installs are pretty easy but it looks like there is no avoiding having to learn using the Terminal for some things though.

Huw the Poo · October 24, 2015, 06:04:40 PM

I have mainly used KDE for the decade or so I've been using Linux, and in truth KDE shouldn't be a problem to anyone familiar with Windows. I also happen to think it's the most attractive desktop, and it's indisputably the most powerful/configurable. If there's something you don't like about KDE, chances are there's a button right there to change it.

I have no experience with OSX so I can't really advise you there I'm afraid.

I also haven't really used Cinnamon or MATE, but I understand they were developed as a response to Gnome 3. You see, Gnome 2 was a major hit and worked well for a lot of people, so the developers did what all really bad developers do, and changed it drastically whilst ignoring user feedback. Gnome 3 is bloody awful and clearly designed for mobile devices. So Cinnamon and MATE were both developed as forks of Gnome 2, and as such, I imagine they work well and are both easy to use.

XFCE is OK for what it does, i.e. a lightweight desktop. It should also not be a problem for those familiar with Windows, however the last time I used it a lot of its configuration was done in text files. Perhaps that's changed lately.

Quote from: Staggerwing on October 24, 2015, 02:57:43 PM
Can I easily switch between them or would I need to reinstall? Thanks!

The best news of all, is that you aren't tied to a single desktop. You can download as many as you like, and you get to choose which one to boot into at the login screen (unless you've selected automatic login). So give them all a shot, and above all, have fun!

Staggerwing · October 24, 2015, 06:18:03 PM

If they are separate boot-ups will the same files and installed programs be available to each desktop?

Huw the Poo · October 24, 2015, 07:12:58 PM

Yep. Your personal data will always be in the /home mount point - which you should be housing on its own partition, although the same applies even if you don't. Anything the desktop needs which isn't user data will be available too. Hell, you can even use software specifically designed for one desktop in another, if you want - although it might not look as pretty as if you'd used it in its native desktop environment.

Staggerwing · October 24, 2015, 08:10:57 PM

Cool. I've never dedicated a new computer to Linux before. Previously it's always been some ancient and creaky leftover and after some frustration I eventually gave up.

The adventure begins...

Staggerwing · October 25, 2015, 06:24:32 PM

Minty Fresh

bob48 · October 25, 2015, 06:38:48 PM

Interesting.

Staggerwing · October 25, 2015, 06:44:51 PM

Quote from: bob48 on October 25, 2015, 06:38:48 PM
Interesting.

And surprisingly easy. So far...

Huw the Poo · October 26, 2015, 02:08:28 AM

Looking good! If you ever get tired of that Cinnamon theme don't forget you can change it in the settings, and there are loads more to download. From here, for example. :)

Wes · October 31, 2015, 07:06:57 PM

I'm looking for a Live-DVD distro that has TOR, Firefox and Libre office. Looked at a few but can't decide.

And I am planning on using it as read-only system that operates purely from the optical drive without need for a hard drive.

Any recommendations would be great.

Huw the Poo · October 31, 2015, 07:12:28 PM

Off the top of my head, Tails. If I recall correctly, it does exactly what you need. I'm pretty sure it's the distro Ed Snowden recommends.

Wes · October 31, 2015, 07:18:24 PM

Quote from: Huw the Poo on October 31, 2015, 07:12:28 PM
Off the top of my head, Tails. If I recall correctly, it does exactly what you need. I'm pretty sure it's the distro Ed Snowden recommends.

That looks like the one I was looking at the closest...thanks for the confirmation :)

Staggerwing · October 31, 2015, 09:04:09 PM

Quote from: Huw the Poo on October 31, 2015, 07:12:28 PM
Off the top of my head, Tails. If I recall correctly, it does exactly what you need. I'm pretty sure it's the distro Ed Snowden recommends.

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Tails is a live operating system, that you can start on almost any computer from a DVD, USB stick, or SD card. It aims at preserving your privacy and anonymity, and helps you to:

use the Internet anonymously and circumvent censorship;
all connections to the Internet are forced to go through the Tor network;
leave no trace on the computer you are using unless you ask it explicitly;
use state-of-the-art cryptographic tools to encrypt your files, emails and instant messaging.

Wow. Just the thing for LB's peace of mind. ;)