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I'm considering installing Linux on my home PC, which is essentially my wife's PC. She really only uses for Web Browsing, Email (via a Web Interface), for our family photos (Picasa is what she currently uses). If I were to get her on the Linux Bandwagon, what distribution do you recommend? We have Athlon Dual Core machine with 6 gigs of RAM and a 500 MB hard drive.

I'm currently leaning towards the following:

  • Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
  • Fedora 12

I've heard StudioUbuntu is good as well which may be the logical course based on her current use.

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asked 16 Jul '10, 18:31

Andy's gravatar image

Andy
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accept rate: 14%

1

Studio is good, but not ideal for this particular case. Linux Mint is the way to go.

(16 Jul '10, 20:47) Ron ♦

In the end, decided to go with Linux Mint.

(07 Sep '10, 20:34) Andy



12next »

Personally I would recommend Linux Mint. You literally have to do nothing, just install it and you have everything the basic user would need. No searching around for codecs, flash or any of that stuff. Just a nice stable OS with a good range of basic software.

I have read several people comment on the fact a clean install of Mint is like like having an Ubuntu installation you have spent a couple of weeks with.

You can find it here.

link
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answered 16 Jul '10, 19:05

TracerBullet's gravatar image

TracerBullet
17817
accept rate: 44%

I would strongly recommend Linux Mint 9 (standard Gnome edition), however, PCLinuxOS is also a great choice. Both these two distros are ready to go.

I advise against Fedora while Mint is really a more ready to go version of Ubuntu with features such as mp3 & flash playback already installed. Mint has all the advantages of Ubuntu being fully compatible but done of the disadvantages - the green (minty) desktop is easily changed if this is not to your liking.

PCLinuxOs is particularly nice although I give Mint the edge but I admit this is purely my choice and I am happy to accept those who'd recommend PCLinuxOS over Mint. Try both!

Mandriva is recommended by some but I give PCLinuxOs my vote ahead.

I am surprised you narrowed down to Fedora - advise avoid.

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answered 05 Sep '10, 17:43

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Jocelyn
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I'd advice also to go with Mint, Peppermint, SimplyMEPIS. They all perform a great install, are great at hardware detection, easy to use and a very nice UI.

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answered 25 Aug '10, 09:21

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EricTRA
564
accept rate: 7%

Run away and be careful of even looking at RPM-based distros they are not for normal users I tried to use openSUSE it is very difficult compared with Ubuntu and Kubuntu. They are very easy and you get support in less than an hour.

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answered 19 Jul '10, 19:26

MIH1406's gravatar image

MIH1406
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accept rate: 0%

PCLinuxOS, Mandriva, OpenSuSe, Mint

BTW Picasa works in Linux.

Picasa does not require wine to be installed, it is built in.

You can use the Google repository to install, Chrome,Picasa 3.0 and Google-Desktop. There are two repositories 'stable' and 'testing'. http://www.google.com/linuxrepositories/index.html

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answered 19 Jul '10, 00:22

craigevil's gravatar image

craigevil
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accept rate: 6%

edited 20 Jul '10, 08:27

I'm not overly crazy about installing wine just for Picasa but will consider it.

(19 Jul '10, 19:16) Andy

Hi, Andy, also take a look at the Linux distribution flow chart. :)

http://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/choosing_linux.jpg

PCLinuxOS and Mandriva are also good choices.

link
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answered 18 Jul '10, 19:41

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Terminally-ill
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Great Link and Flowchart!

(19 Jul '10, 19:17) Andy

Kubuntu is pretty nice

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answered 18 Jul '10, 14:41

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Gorbayov
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The North Texas Linux Users Group has an installation project that meets every month. If a LUG near you has something similar, take your computer to them and let them install the Linux they prefer.

They'll also update the software of your choice to the latest versions and check the installation.

Regards, Bill Drissel

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answered 18 Jul '10, 01:49

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Bill Drissel
1
accept rate: 0%

any mainstream version of linux will do. It is just a graphic display, perhaps one needs to get used to.If called to plumb for one then maybe Fedora or suse but then choice is important.

fred.

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answered 17 Jul '10, 12:42

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fred
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One more vote for mint, because I migrated a lot of my friends on it and there aren't any problems. When I used Fedora I had a lot ot problems...

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answered 17 Jul '10, 08:38

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InTel
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Asked: 16 Jul '10, 18:31

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