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[ The Major Distributions ]
[ Caldera ]
[ Debian ]
[ MkLinux ]
[ Red Hat ]
[ Slackware ]
[ S.u.S.E. ]
[ TurboLinux ]
[
Other Distributions ]
[
Third-Party CD Manufacturers ]
[
Preconfigured Linux Systems ]
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Submit a Link ]
Although Linux is completely free, and available for download over the net, the usual way to install Linux is to pay a small amount to get it on a collection of CD-ROMs (this saves time, and the installation from CD-ROM is automatic, as opposed to internet installations which must be done manually). Various people and firms have gotten together to produce these CD-ROM collections which are known as distributions. A standard distribution includes more than just the necessary Linux OS software, it will include programming languages, editors, hardware drivers, window managers, and often several CD-ROMs of software amounting to well over 1,000 individual programs.
There are many distributors, ranging from large software firms such as Red Hat down to personal productions such as Slackware. Distributions differ from each other in a number of areas, and often the choices made by distributors are based on the users they are trying to please. For example, Slackware is (as the name suggests) free and flexible, and has been the long-time favorite of hackers. Caldera, on the other hand, is specifically aimed towards businesses, and is a bit rigid but secure, highly configured, and productivity oriented. Red Hat is the most popular in the US and is aimed more towards novices (though Caldera has an easier installation procedure, to be honest). SuSE, from Germany, the most popular distribution in Europe, is an ideal distribution for the intermediate user who wants more flexibility, functionality, and configuration than is found in Red Hat, but who does not need a completely loose system for kernel hacking, developing hardware drivers, and perpetually experimenting. The SuSE distribution comes with 6 CD-ROMs of software, including Netscape, Word Perfect 8, Star Office (an MS Office compatible clone of sorts), and many others. TurboLinux makes it possible to run Linux in Japanese and Chinese, and is consequently the most popular distribution in Asia. Debian GNU/Linux (so named in order to recognize the massive contribution of the GNU project to Linux) is a devotedly free collection of over 2,500 Linux programs intended to be a complete. You cannot buy directly from Debian (as you can with other distributors), you must buy a cheap CD-ROM set or download.
There are many other Linux distributions, some of which are geared towards special tasks such as providing a complete Linux system on a single floppy disk, or running Linux from within Windows, or running Linux on numerous other architectures. For example, MkLinux exists for Macintosh owners who would like to have Linux up and running on their familiar Macs. New distributions keep popping up, and large companies which can provide more support than small operations (and can keep more current as well) tend to be more successful these days. New releases are coming out all the time, and the one that's right for you will probably change as your proficiency in Linux changes.
New Linux users are always wondering which distribution is best for beginners. This is a question of much speculation and debate, because the answer will be different for different people. For example, Red Hat is often recommended to beginners, yet is difficult to install when people do not already know exactly what hardware drivers they need. Likewise, while Caldera is recommended for businesses, the simple installation procedure makes it good for home users. Though SuSE is said to be for intermediate users, the complete package collection that comes with it is ideal for, perhaps necessary, for the new Linux user (and the installation is no more difficult than that of Red Hat). Slackware, though often favored by hackers, is simple, and was the first installation of countless users, forever earning it a place in Linux even though it has fallen out of favor recently for one reason or another. New collections like Mandrake and Stampede propose to be good for newbies, but have not been around long enough to gain significant popularity.
One point to consider with Linux distributions is support and documentation. If you are completely new to Linux and not a computer afficionado, it may be worthwhile to pay for a commercial distribution which includes a month or so of phone/e-mail support. Also, there are many excellent Linux books available at the bookstore; it may be a good idea to buy a Linux book and read it before installing, so that right away you'll know how to get around. Also, many books include CD-ROMs (often of Slackware or Red Hat) which are not particularly complete but are good enough to get you started. It is likely that you will be reinstalling your system a few times during your early stages with Linux as you try to get it "just right", but once it's up, you may go years before you consider a change.
All of these distributions have their good points, and it's hard to go wrong putting a collection of GNU/Linux software together, so none is particularly flawed. Furthermore, all distributions are completely flexible in the long run, so you can set up a rigid system aimed at business applications and security and turn it into a kernel hacking machine with a few modifications to the system and various files and packages. Ultimately, any distribution will do, so the best advice is to talk to your Linux-using friends and visit the web sites of the various distributors, listed here for your convenience.
The following documents may also be of interest:
![[caldera.gif]](/old?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnoframes.linuxjournal.com%2Fimages%2Fdistributions%2Fcaldera.gif&y=1999)
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![[debian.jpg]](/old?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnoframes.linuxjournal.com%2Fimages%2Fdistributions%2Fdebian.jpg&y=1999)
![[mklinux.gif]](/old?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnoframes.linuxjournal.com%2Fimages%2Fdistributions%2Fmklinux.gif&y=1999){kind=small}
![[redhat.gif]](/old?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnoframes.linuxjournal.com%2Fimages%2Fdistributions%2Fredhat.gif&y=1999)
![[slackware.jpg]](/old?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnoframes.linuxjournal.com%2Fimages%2Fdistributions%2Fslackware.jpg&y=1999)
![[suse.gif]](/old?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnoframes.linuxjournal.com%2Fimages%2Fdistributions%2Fsuse.gif&y=1999)
![[turbolinux.gif]](/old?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnoframes.linuxjournal.com%2Fimages%2Fdistributions%2Fturbolinux.gif&y=1999)