Quick Linux question

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calvincoetzee

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I'm thinking about installing either Debian 5 or Opensuse 11.

Although I can't decide which one to use, I have used Suse before.

I basically want to use it for general PC use, especially music and videos.
My computer is up to date specs wise.
 
I use Debian. I like it very much. I also know that Debian has local sources (not that i am saying SUSE doesn't). I last properly used SUSE with 9.3 (tried 10 but it felt sluggish).

but both will pretty much be able to do what you want. what are your system specs. i ask because i suspect debian will ship with an older kernel than SUSE which, if i am correct, would mean that SUSE would have the better chance of supporting your hardware out of the box. but i suspect there isn't a big possiility of this being an issue.

so as a debian user i say go with it.
 
It's not such new technology, it's a notebook with the following specs.

Core2Duo 2.4Ghz
2GB ddr2 667
250GB hard disk
ATI 3650 512MB dedicated.
Intel Wifi (I assume the drivers will be available for this)

The system is almost 8 months old or so.
 
You can run whatever you like. I use Ubuntu (it's actually only a custom version of Debian) but Suse is very nice too. I'd actually rather go for Suse than Debian, but it all boils down to personal preference.
Your pc can run any version of Linux on maximum, just remember to go for 64-bit :)
 
What I've seen from Debian is that it looks simple, but well done. With Suse I find there is so much stuff just all over the place, while I do like Suse as I've installed it the most, I think Debian looks more mature and stable. Same with ubuntu which looks like a usable OS
 
calvincoetzee said:
What I've seen from Debian is that it looks simple, but well done. With Suse I find there is so much stuff just all over the place, while I do like Suse as I've installed it the most, I think Debian looks more mature and stable. Same with ubuntu which looks like a usable OS
Click to expand...

So why consider Suse at all? :p
 
See there is one thing holding me back, I love using Windows, I used to be all for open source and tried to use Linux wherever possible.

But I have a ton of personal documents, photos, music on my notebook and Windows Vista is reliable enough for me.
The main concern at this moment is the integration between application are good in Linux and ease of use once set up, for example, I plug in my Nokia N85 and it syncs my contacts, then my new photos are transferred automatically.
Being able to easily browse the phone and use a variety of applications to update content on it is useful.

I don't know if I could have the same experience in Linux.
In Windows everything works simply, and there are tons of applications to use.
 
calvincoetzee said:
See there is one thing holding me back, I love using Windows, I used to be all for open source and tried to use Linux wherever possible.

But I have a ton of personal documents, photos, music on my notebook and Windows Vista is reliable enough for me.
The main concern at this moment is the integration between application are good in Linux and ease of use once set up, for example, I plug in my Nokia N85 and it syncs my contacts, then my new photos are transferred automatically.
Being able to easily browse the phone and use a variety of applications to update content on it is useful.

I don't know if I could have the same experience in Linux.
In Windows everything works simply, and there are tons of applications to use.
Click to expand...
Ah, but did you pay for them? :p
 
I paid for Windows Vista, although a PC is a tool, I will give 64bit Suse a try since I know my way around, I'll see how it runs on my pc and then try Debian after that if all goes well.
 
Kudos on whatever you decide... both are better than Vista :)
 
sn3rd said:
If you're happy with Windows why use Linux?? :confused:
Click to expand...

Linux does have a cool feel about it, a geeky feel maybe but I don't know, I always have liked Linux but at the same time disliked it. It's weird, I guess Linux is slowly becoming better and I wanted to try something.

For me as long as an OS can be installed and be opperational (and functional) without formating it's a good OS.
I don't like worrying about the next big virus, BSOD, or odd malfunction to take away a few years of my life.

The longer you use an OS without formating, it becomes more personal, having all your bookmarks there, all the stored passwords, emails etc.
I hate reformating Windows because it became incredibly sluggish or just complete system failure.

With Linux I have a feeling that will not be the case, unless I fool around running in root.
 
You likely won't have as good an experience on Linux WRT your N85. You could get syncing to work, but it won't be as good or as streamlined as on Windows, unless you're willing to tinker a lot.

Linux gives you access to literally millions of applications, ripe for the picking. Don't know why you'd use "tons of applications" as an advantage of Windows but not Linux? :confused:

Depending on which desktop environment you prefer, you'll find plenty of applications to suit all your media needs. Music, videos, etc. It's all there. All free.
 
Opensuse user here i must say its pretty awesome too yast is just really invaluable
 
Oh well, looks like I can't shrink my Windows partition due to too much fragmentation in the free space, not willing to risk OpenSuse install of corrupting the data on here. It's a pity because I really wanted to test the performance in 64bit on my notebook :(
 
well there is a tool called defrag just defrag your hardrive ive had that problem lots of times
 
calvincoetzee said:
Oh well, looks like I can't shrink my Windows partition due to too much fragmentation in the free space, not willing to risk OpenSuse install of corrupting the data on here. It's a pity because I really wanted to test the performance in 64bit on my notebook :(
Click to expand...

1. backup
2. follow wezhira's advice
 
wezhira said:
well there is a tool called defrag just defrag your hardrive ive had that problem lots of times
Click to expand...

I did a defrag, only recovered 10GB out of 60GB which was available for shrinking.

Does anybody know how to issue a free space defrag using the command prompt in Vista?

I use the command prompt occasionally to force defrag of files smaller than 64Mb since Vista my defualt does not defrag any files smaller than that.
 
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