There was webcam support? I've had to install the driver every time... haven't tried the newest/latest/greatest (8.04 is my most recent used), but even so, I'd prefer to do it myself to be certain. (And really, windows doesn't automatically have the drivers installed, so, it's not a big deal)

...blame that on legal issues. Windows pays to have the legal access to using the codecs. And it's not lack of codec support, it's lack of installed codecs. Install ffmpeg, and they should run just fine!

you mentioned 3 things... hardly "endless".

full re-install? sounds like there's more at fault here than you're actually mentioning... really, given the details, this forum would be able to A) figure out what was wrong, B) figure out the/a solution, and C) fix it at its source. But, what's the point in actually being helpful? Clearly you prefer to just troll...

Slackware is by far the best Linux distribution I've used over the years, but if you prefer a completely point and click distro, then Kubuntu or OpenSuSE.

This is a Mandriva based distro that works remarkably well and fast with pretty much anything you throw at it. Currently, the default is still KDE 3.5.10 while they are working to make KDE 4 stable.

Originally Posted by fschmeisser:
It surprises me that PCLinuxOS isn't using KDE4 yet. Like I said, Mandriva 2009 uses KDE4 as default and I have had no issues so I'm not quite sure what work the PCLinuxOS team think they have to do. And frankly I can't see any advantage to the OP in recommending it as he wants KDE4 anyway.

I have had several of the same issues with a variety of Linux distros over the years. While I can't live without linux (esp on the servers) and for many desktop task. I have also reverted my primary desktop back to Vista and run A few Linux dsitros in Virtual box and VMware.

That said the reason I know many people are turned off to Linux (and Ruby for the same reason) is that saying one bad thing about either and suddenly a couple of people jump down your throat. Of course neither hold a candle to Apple fan boys.

Linux is great. I love it and use it all the time. Vista is also good and does what I need it to do. I also think ok of OSX but find but apple makes it worse with each release.

So basically Vista is a thumbs up, Linux Thumbs very way up, OSX if you like it fine otherwise don't waste your time.

Hi All!

I have used quite a few different distributions of Linux over the years and have experimented with others.
For the absolute new person to Linux (for home use) I would highly recommend both Mandriva (originally called Mandrake) and Ubuntu. Both distros work equally with KDE or the Gnome desktops.
If you have a very old system with limited memory (like 64MB and a 6 GB HD) I will recommend Damn small Linux (DSLinux). It packs a lot of operating system into a small package. Keep in mind that it will not do every thing that some of the larger distributions will but the whole point of it is that it will work where other distro's will not load.
Knoppix is very good and is one of the first OS distro's (that I know of) that would boot and run the OS from CD.
If you are running a business then I would recommend Red Hat Linux because of their excellent support and stability(keep in mind that most support is paid support).
There are many other excellent distributions out there but I am trying to comment only on the ones the I have recently used.

I will enlighten you: this is a linux support forum, where linux-fans and linux professionals try to help linux newbies for free. This is therefore not the place to promote other OS. Moreover, nobody asked you what you think of OS X. Please stop trolling.

As a point if you read my post you will see I do and love Linux. As for OSX this is about OSs and OSX can be run virtually it was kind of tounge in cheek. As for the original post which this needs to be about. Linux newbies may find it better and easier to run Linuxes in Virtual box or VMware rather than giving up Windows which really is not going away. I am a Linux fan and a Linux professional (as well as Windows and even OSX-the OS is good--Apple is the problem) but it is the you must comply mentaility that is the problem.

well its simple really, im allowed to have my say just as much as you are, the vote at the top of this thread asks which you think is the best distro / os, im simply saying that linux was really good, but has just gone down hill. Also yes I may not have made many posts to this site but I was a regular on Ubuntu's forums and as for not trying hard enough, I stuck with ubuntu trying to sort out the bugs but when they send out an update that kills all your internet connections permenantly there really isnt much you can do is there.

so if you cant find anything else to do appart from make reply's that dont help anyone or share a view then I suggest you find another site.

sidux , 5 minutes to install

Kde 4.2

System: Host craigevil Kernel 2.6.29-3.slh.1-sidux-686 i686 (32 bit) Distro sidux 2007-04.5 - Έρως christmas special - kde-full - (200712260138)
CPU: Single core Intel Pentium 4 (HT) cache 1024 KB flags (sse3 nx lm) bmips 5586.02
Clock Speeds: (1) 2793.012 MHz (2) 2793.012 MHz
Graphics: Card Intel 82915G/GV/910GL Integrated Graphics Controller X.Org 1.6.1.901 Res: 1280x1024@60.0hz
GLX Renderer Mesa DRI Intel 915G GEM 20090418 2009Q1 x86/MMX/SSE2 GLX Version 1.4 Mesa 7.4.1 Direct Rendering Yes
Audio: Card Intel 82801FB/FBM/FR/FW/FRW (ICH6 Family) High Definition Audio Controller driver HDA Intel
Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture Version 1.0.18a
Network: Card Intel 82562ET/EZ/GT/GZ - PRO/100 VE (LOM) Ethernet Controller driver e100 at port dcc0
Disks: HDD Total Size: 160.0GB (15.8% used) 1: /dev/sda 160.0GB
Partition: ID:/ size: 103G used: 24G (25%) ID:swap-1 size: 5.25GB used: 0.00GB (0%)
Info: Processes 98 Uptime 20:47 Memory 205.2/493.5MB Client Shell inxi 1.0.11

Hi,

I've tried most all of the distros that have been listed and my choice is definitely Mandriva. It works well out of the box, and seems to be very fast with pretty good defaults. I haven't tried the Fedora for a couple of releases, but my experience has been that it is better suited as a server system than a desktop. OpenSUSE is a good system but it is constantly being updated and is hard to keep current without breaking something. Slackware may be the best, but if you don't have tons of time on your hands, I wouldn't recommend it. I personally haven't tried Vista, so I can't really comment on it, but my experience with XP says that if you ever want to use more than one program at a time, you are better off with Linux. And as far as KDE on Windows; it's not ready.

Mike

by far the best kde distro is slackware current. I have used many distros and defferent repo's on debian and urpmi's but right now the bleeding edge is Slackware current kde 4.2.3 fast stable Good job so far Pat and the gang.

Not to hate on Linux, but don't forget that Vista is free, too(in the $ sense of the word).

There must be a few people out there who would like to know where to get a free copy of Vista, if only so they can upgrade it to Windows 7, so do them a favour and reveal the secret.

But do you realise that the Vista on a new PC is not free? The cost is bundled with that of the hardware, about $50 I gather.

This thread is " Distro to choose (supporting kde)", not "best distro / os".

If you are replying to a specific post, quote it, or give us some clue as to what it said, as it is you are wasting your time.