Quote:
Originally Posted by mogui
Everyone here in the Middle Kingdom seems to run Win boxes -- either 2K or XP. Vista is available too for a little over a buck. Comp sci students know GNU/Linux but end up running Windows. So do I, for the sake of compatibility. When I do run GNU/Linux, it is off of a DSL live CD.
In my reading, it seems more people favor Ubuntu. Someone has asked me to teach them GNU/Linux. Which would be a better system for a newcomer to start with? She has a degree in comp sci. It is easy for me to download any distribution.
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Which one you choose will depend on what you wish to do. All Linux distributions are based on the same Linux kernel and the same set of Gnu utilities. They differ in which desktop is offered (Gnome or KDE), how they install, and how packages are added, as well as the precise hardware supported.
Ubuntu is currently popular because of relatively easy install and good hardware support. You can get a Live CD that will let you boot it from the CD and play, then install to the actual system later.
You can teach the basics of Linux with any distro, but if the ultimate goal is working with them professionally, you probably need to explore Fedora Core or SuSE, as you are more likely to find those installed in server settings.
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Dennis