Please help me choose the right distribution of Linux for desktop.?

Question

Please help me choose the right distribution of Linux for desktop.?

Answer 1

OK, so here's some facts for you



1) Pretty much all versions of Linux are as secure or as insecure as you make them. If you leave everything open without a firewall, you can get hacked. Most distributions start pretty closed down to the outside.



2) Linux cannot run programs made for Windows. This includes all Windows viruses. There are no viruses for Linux, so the only thing an anti-virus would do is prevent you from sending Windows virus-laden files to your friends.



3) SELinux is not a distribution. It's a program that runs on top of Linux that adds some extra security features. Many popular distributions such as Ubuntu and Fedora either use SELinux or a similar program such as AppArmor.



4) You should not need to mess with DHCP, PPPoE, or Ethernet settings in any modern Linux distribution. All of that is handled by your modem. Just plug it in and you should be good to go.



You should probably use a well-supported distribution like Ubuntu. They'll have more programs in the package manager so you won't need to download random programs off the Internet (the source of most malware infections). They're easy to set up and will be the easiest to use.

Answer 2

Linux and Viruses

http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/items/viruses/index.php?lang=



Linux and Security

http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/items/security/index.php?lang=



Having read the information above this does not mean Linux is immune

http://www.linux.com/learn/tutorials/284124-myth-busting-is-linux-immune-to-viruses



Use the Web reponsibly and nothing should present a threat. I have been running Linux since 2006 with just the Firewall on my router with no problems



If you are looking for a secure and stable distro. I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 9 LTS which is built upon Ubuntu 10.04 LTS (Long Term Support) 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 LTS Download

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



Linux Mint 9 LTS Installation Guide

http://www.linuxbsdos.com/2009/12/03/linux-mint-8-installation-guide/



Linux Mint 9 LTS Release Notes/User Guide

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



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

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto



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





LUg.

Answer 3

Ubuntu (Free) is the most popular version of Linux, so the translation is that it probably has the most support (more likely your canon printer will work).

I've been using it for several years now, & find it very stable & extremely secure, you don't need an antivirus program for Linux (security programs won't slow down your OS). As you can see it's vulnerabilities are 100% patched one hundred percent of the time

http://secunia.com/advisories/product/32688/

Whereas Windows & Mac have unpatched vulnerabilities 100% of the time, hence the need for antivirus programs

http://secunia.com/advisories/product/27467/

http://secunia.com/advisories/product/96/?task=advisories



According to this site, mathematica will work on Ubuntu

http://www.wolfram.com/mathematica/features/system-requirements.html

Or maybe you could use a mathematica equivalent

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=489196



Apparently, BSNL Broadband will work in the newest versions of Ubuntu

http://askubuntu.com/questions/24285/connecting-with-a-bsnl-broadband-internet



Watching moves shouldn't be a problem, you may have to install a few extra codecs though, there are two commands for this that you will need to run in the terminal (perhaps the only time you will ever need to run any commands)

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats/PlayingDVDs



Other than running the 2 commands to watch DVDs, you normally just install software the easy way by using the Software Center

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5ZpspkfbDg



You should wait two more days to download Ubuntu because the latest version will come out on April 28

Answer 4

id recommend ubuntu or linux mint since youre a beginner.

Answer 5

Ubuntu! It's so amazing. It changed my life. It is by far the easiest and most robust linux distribution i've used. And there are so many contributors there are constant updates daily.

Answer 6

Linux provides it's own Anti Virus Software that you install. The main one is called Clam and runs in the back ground, you never see it. Second there are viruses specific to Linux and MAC. Linux will set itself up for what ever Internet Service provider you use in most cases. Linux also offers their own Banking program that is safe and secure. Print drivers are not generally a problem. What ever works in Ubuntu will generally work in all the other Linux distributions. Virtually all Linux use the same base system and files, They don't change that much. Linux has intrusion software you can install and firewalls.. For watching videos you would need to install codecs or install the gstreamer files. You specifically use the software management program to install all the software you need and want if it is available in the repository files. I'm not sure about Mathematica but there may be a program that would do the same thing. It really is amazing just how much software is available and can be installed for free because it is open source software. The way the hard drive is formatted and the way the file structures are, help prevent it from becoming bogged down and running slow.