Which Linux version is best for engineering students?

Question

Hi i am a engineering student in bangalore and a newly introduced to the linux world and i know nothing about the latest and better versions of linux.
So can anyone help me out to download and install linux version which you think suits an engineering student also it should help me further when i am placed as a professional.
Kindly tell me some easier way of installing it as i dont even know to partition my hard disk.
And i have Windows XP home version so installing linux should not create problems with windows.
my comp configuration is intel P4 , 3.2GHz, 248 MB RAM,160GB

Answer 1

Use Ubuntu, it has a very simple GUI similar to that of Windows. You won't have any problems getting used to it.

http://ubuntu.com/

Kubuntu, as mentioned above, is an Ubuntu derivative and much more complex.

You can order free Ubuntu CDs from

http://shipit.ubuntu.com/



Installation of Ubuntu is very easy and takes only about 20 -30 minutes. For proper partitioning, just follow the on-screen instructions. Make sure that a part of your 160 GB hard disk is free. While installing Ubuntu, choose "Manual Partitioning" and put Ubuntu in that free unused space. If you feel uneasy, then you may take the help of some friend / relative who is familiar with this stuff. Ubuntu and all the software in Ubuntu are completely free and open source. You can do everything in Ubuntu that you do in Windows. It may take you about 15 - 20 days to completely get used to it, but you will love it once you get accustomed. Seek help from your teachers and friends, who know about Linux, when you face any problems. There is also the online Ubuntu IRC help channel ( #ubuntu ), where you can chat with professional Ubuntu guys to get your problem solved. Do feel free to contact me on [e-mail] if you face any problems. I switched over to Ubuntu from Windows in May, and I find it excellent for something free.

Good Luck!



:)



P.S. Hey I didn't see that you have 248 MB RAM. Ubuntu requires at least 512 MB RAM for smooth functioning. Most Linux distributions (they are NOT Linux versions) with a good GUI require a minimum of 512 MB for smooth functioning, so you had better upgrade your RAM. Also make sure that you have an internet connection, as you will have to download the security updates and required software via the internet.

Answer 2

www.distrowatch.org will give you access to 100 different flavors of linux, available for downloading - as well as having links to reviews. A useful resource, check it out.



Linux is linux. Most linux programs will run on pretty much any distro. The problem is that some programs are pre-compiled for specific distros and are therefore much easier to install on the distros compliled for. Some non-compiled programs can be quite difficult, if not near impossible to install. Other distros can require a lot of effort. Find out if there are specific programs that you need to use, then find out if there are versions precompiled, and if all of the programs are compiled for xyz, get xyz. If not, then use other criteria for your selection process.



After a bit more thought, I would assume an engineering student would be interested in safe, secure, non-crashing computing. That being the case either Debian or maybe Slackware would be the preferred choices. Why? Because they are slow to add the latest and greatest versions - the installed software base is a bit older, but tried and true. Much more crash resistant than other distros. Linux is known for stability, but Debian and Slackware are specifically put together to maximize that.



So, go Debian!!!



I use Ubuntu myself.

Answer 3

Linux has many distros(versions), but there is not really a best version for enginnering students. I recommend Ubuntu, because it is very simple and easy to use. To get ubuntu, download the ISO file from the Ubuntu.com site. Choose an ISO file for the x86 (non 64bit) processors. Get PowerISO to properly burn the ISO file onto the CD. PowerISO is a crucial software, because ISO files cannot be burned onto a CD like a normal CD. PowerISO is free. After you burn the CD, restart the computer with the CD in the CD drive. Go to boot menu(right after the computer restarts, before windows boots). In the boot menu, choose the CD drive. After that, wait for Ubuntu to load. After Ubuntu loads, click "INSTALL", and a easy-to-use installation windows pops up. HOpe this helps. For more questions, just email me @ [e-mail]. Long live Ubuntu!

Answer 4

I suggest to you install latest version of Red Hat Fedora. This is totally free project and it releases updates ini every 6 months. It is a full facility Linux equivalent to Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Visit http://fedoraproject.org/ for latest release. You can also get it with Wiley's Fedoro/Linux Bible(Book ) including DVD & CDS. Installation of Linux in now easy but atleas require some inteligence/common sense of yourself. Linux and Windows should install on Separate Partitions so you cant escape from it. But you use Fedora's Live Bootable DVD/CD and use it without installation.

One more linux distro in Ubuntu which also provides facility on using Linux without intalling it using its bootable live CD/DVD

Answer 5

Hi

This is me [e-mail], i am a 36 old civil engineer doing my degree.

i think both fedora and Debian are hard for a general user like us to use, despite there stability.

Generally, Linux Mint or Ubuntu or PClinuxOS are more user friendly, but need hardware,

if you can't upgrade your RAM, lxle or Puppy or McPop or Q4*** or Lubuntu or Xubuntu or LinuxMint xfce or Ubuntu Netbook or WattOS or EasyPeasy (needs net i guess) or any other light version can be helpful.

if upgraded, http://www.caelinux.com is preloaded with some engineering software,

you can find software for Ubuntu in https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UbuntuEngineering

good luck

you can check these, i wish they will be helpful:

Answer 6

Talk to your teacher. They will tell you what Linux they want you to use and the school tech support staff should be able to help you install Linux properly.



If not, google for Linux engineering software



Any program you find should run on most linux distros.



I recommend Kubuntu, free from: