Before installation, the most important factor for selecting best distribution is your hardware. Since every Linux distributions contains the basic package and they all use the same Linux kernel, the only point to consider is if the distribution will run on the machine or not.
What is Linux Distribution. A Linux Distribution is a collection of software with Linux kernel. Usually the softwares are all open source just like Linux kernel. A distribution is bundled with server software, system management tools, documentations and many softwares for the users.
A distro (usually used for the word distribution) usually have the motive to provide a common look and feel, secure and easy softwares management and including almost all the softwares that are needed by a common user. It also aims for providing security to the user.
Some of the popular Distributions:
Red Hat. Red Hat is a billion dollar company that puts a lot of effort in developing Linux. They have hundreds of Linux specialists who works daily for the support and improvement of Linux. The products from Red Hat are completely free. They work on two distros, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and Fedora. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is well tested before release and is supported till 7 years after the initial release. Fedora is quickly updates but do not have support systems.
Ubuntu. It is developed and supported by Canonical. Canonical started Ubuntu distributions and quickly become very popular. Ubuntu is designed keeping in mind the Graphical user interface and to compete with Microsoft Windows. Many users have switched to Ubuntu even. The company wants that user dont have a need to switch to command line in order to use Linux although by keeping the strength and flexibility of Linux. As Ubuntu is distributed completely free, Canonical charge for providing support to Ubuntu.
Debian. There is no company behind Debian. The developers across the world select a Debian Project Leader every two years with a proper selection procedures. Debian is by-far the most stable Linux distribution. Ubuntu releases are mostly based on Debian only. Debian distro comes in three versions, stable which is well tested before release, Testing which is in current testing phase along with distribution, and unstable which contains some modules or package written by programmers which have not been tested. Every Debian project is named after a character in the movie Toy Story.
Others. Distributions like CentOS and scientific Linux are based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux and share the same architecture defined for directories and management. Linux mint, Edubuntu, kubuntu and many others with 'buntu' are derived from Linux Ubuntu and share a lot with Debian project. There are hundres of other Linux Distributions.
Which Distribution to choose. If you are new to Linux and currently using Windows, switch to Linux Ubuntu. It has the best graphical interface competent enough with Microsoft. Even Fedora is a good choice. But if you want to practice only command line, then installing Red Hat linux will be a better options.
My recommendation would be Ubuntu.
How to install Ubuntu.
A distro (usually used for the word distribution) usually have the motive to provide a common look and feel, secure and easy softwares management and including almost all the softwares that are needed by a common user. It also aims for providing security to the user.
Some of the popular Distributions:
Red Hat. Red Hat is a billion dollar company that puts a lot of effort in developing Linux. They have hundreds of Linux specialists who works daily for the support and improvement of Linux. The products from Red Hat are completely free. They work on two distros, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and Fedora. Red Hat Enterprise Linux is well tested before release and is supported till 7 years after the initial release. Fedora is quickly updates but do not have support systems.
Ubuntu. It is developed and supported by Canonical. Canonical started Ubuntu distributions and quickly become very popular. Ubuntu is designed keeping in mind the Graphical user interface and to compete with Microsoft Windows. Many users have switched to Ubuntu even. The company wants that user dont have a need to switch to command line in order to use Linux although by keeping the strength and flexibility of Linux. As Ubuntu is distributed completely free, Canonical charge for providing support to Ubuntu.
Debian. There is no company behind Debian. The developers across the world select a Debian Project Leader every two years with a proper selection procedures. Debian is by-far the most stable Linux distribution. Ubuntu releases are mostly based on Debian only. Debian distro comes in three versions, stable which is well tested before release, Testing which is in current testing phase along with distribution, and unstable which contains some modules or package written by programmers which have not been tested. Every Debian project is named after a character in the movie Toy Story.
Others. Distributions like CentOS and scientific Linux are based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux and share the same architecture defined for directories and management. Linux mint, Edubuntu, kubuntu and many others with 'buntu' are derived from Linux Ubuntu and share a lot with Debian project. There are hundres of other Linux Distributions.Which Distribution to choose. If you are new to Linux and currently using Windows, switch to Linux Ubuntu. It has the best graphical interface competent enough with Microsoft. Even Fedora is a good choice. But if you want to practice only command line, then installing Red Hat linux will be a better options.
My recommendation would be Ubuntu.
How to install Ubuntu.
1. Download ISO file. Download a Linux CD image (ISO file) from the distribution of your choice from the internet. Make sure you select the correct cpu architecture.
2. Download VirtualBox. If you are currently using Microsoft Windows, download a VirtualBox for Windows.
3. What to do with VirtualBox. Start VirtualBox and create a new vqirtual machine. Give a name, and size to your virtual machine. Then create a new hard disk (virtual disk) which is to be selected 'dynamically allocated'. Choose disk size. 10GB to 20GB will be sufficient. Now create the virtual disk.
4. Attach the CD Image. Connect the virtual drive to the ISO file you downloaded. If you are a geek, you wont find it difficult. If you are not, learn it yourself.
5. Install Linux. The virtual machine is now ready to start. A choice at boot will come to install, then follow the instructions. When the installation is finished, you can login to machine and start practising Linux.!!
We will review all most widely used Linux distributions in details in coming posts.
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