Switch to Ubuntu from OpenSUSE?

Question

I use OpenSUSE right now but someone just gave a pretty convincing argument for Ubuntu. What will I gain (or lose) by switching?

Answer 1

you don't lose much I don't think, it's mostly a preference thing. one thing maybe is that OpenSUSE includes better security features by default, with linux se included in all installations but you can easily just install this feature in ubuntu if you want, also Yast is really on its own level, there isn't another comparable configuration manager out there.



you do "gain" package support I suppose, sometimes if you don't feel like compiling from source (especially with big programs) you opt for the package, there are often SuSE packages but not always, on the other hand there are generally ALWAYS debian/ubuntu packages, I'm also pretty sure Ubuntu's default package repositories are significantly larger than suse's,



of course these are minor things really, you could just find a package not in the suse repositories in one of the unofficial repositories, just see what you like better, there really isn't any reason you "should" be using ubuntu.

Answer 2

Everyone has said the right things. I'm down on Ubuntu right now because it has gotten so big -- Debian's advantage is that it can run on old computers and I have a fifteen year old one which runs Debian Lenny happily. Lucid Lynx just brought a nine-year-old one too a near standstill. I put gentoo on it.



Still it is good to understand the alternatives to dpkg and apt, even if you mostly use front-ends to them in Ubuntu. OpenSuse is Red Hat derived -- like Fedora and CENTos. It demands fewer resources than the latter two but not much.



While I have many issues with Ubuntu disabling the root account and forcing us to use sudo is not one of them. On slackware and gentoo where you have to edit configuration files, I still edit the file /etc/sudoers (use visudo but see that you have a reference for using vi handy) and put my userid in first thing. I don't "pretend I'm on Ubuntu": sudo is an old BSD program.



You will gain experience and that is a very good thing.

Answer 3

Ubuntu (and Mint) are "point and click". You "can" choose to use terminal and "sudo apt get" if you desire- but it is not required at all. I have used Ubuntu and Mint for the last year. I never needed terminal.

If learning Linux can be likened unto driving a car. Ubuntu would be like a fine standard transmission, and Mint would be like an automatic.

Ubuntu is rated as most popular Linux, Fedora is # 2, and Mint is # 3. Frankly, I don't understand why Mint is not # 1, and Ubuntu # 2.

Answer 4

Linux is a toy for application developer types to ad infinitum tinker with. those Linux's are all descended from a similar origins and the greater commonly used ones are actually not that diffirent. remember that those actually everyone seems to be nutcases first of all who do issues just to be diffient attempt linspire ( lindows) besides you are able to attempt a stay version of Ubuntu from a similar disc, don't comprehend approximately suse. does not setting up on the confusing tension runs in ram you will not of carried out any harm Knoppix is a stay version , Manderake > Mandiva has a stay variations besides

Answer 5

Experience and an understanding of how different distros operate. Wouldn't hurt to try them all; FreeBSD, Slackware, Debian (Ubuntu is based on), and RPM (RedHat, Fedora, CentOS) based systems.



However, in this case, I think you're about to devolve. Unbuntu's pretty good for beginners, Fedora if you want to be close to the leading edge and don't mind some breakage, Arch if you really want to bite into something. CentOS or Ubuntu LTS if you're looking for long term support & stability.

Answer 6

You will have to learn more about the GNOME desktop environment and you will have to learn how to use the terminal (Ubuntu uses sudo instead of su, for example). You will also have to start downloading .deb files instead of .rpm files.



I switched to Ubuntu from OpenSUSE myself and I like Ubuntu much better.



However if you would like to stick with the KDE desktop environment, you can get Kubuntu. Its the same thing as Ubuntu but without GNOME (and KDE instead, as previously stated).

Answer 7

I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 9 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 10.04 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled



Linux Mint 9 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=52



The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 9 (Isadora)

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-9-isadora



Linux Mint 9 User Guide Download pdf.

http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_isadora.php



You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 9 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation



Linux Mint 9 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive



Also worth considering :



Linux Mint 9 LXDE

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=60

http://linuxmint.com/rel_isadora_lxde.php



Fedora Remix (Fedora with elements of Linux Mint)

http://fcoremix.wordpress.com/2010/05/25/lucky-13/

http://iso.linux.hr/community-fedora-remix/

http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/13/html/User_Guide/



Ubuntu 10.04

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-ubuntu-10.04-lucid-lynx

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Lucid



Again Linux Mint 9, Fedora Remix and Ubuntu 10.04 can be run direct from the LiveCD/DVD without touching your Hard Drive



Also you can try out as many different Linux distros. as you like on LiveCD until you find the one thats right for you DISTROWATCH.COM gives full listings (second lists the major distributions)

http://distrowatch.com/



Major Linux Distributions

http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major





LUg.