Thread: which one to use??

I've been using SuSE 9.2 and just recently 9.3 for linux PCs. What I've been doing is a vanilla install, removing the stuff I'll never use, and then further stripping it down afterwards. Hibernation works with SuSE 9.3, at least on an MII-12000 with just a little extra configuration. This has decreased my startup from over 90 seconds to about 20.

As for a frontend, I can't comment on any since I wrote my own. I used a few when I first began researching and decided I'd have something more to my taste by just doing it myself. 6 months later I now have something I'm REALLY happy with.

Originally Posted by dasaint80

Hey, I'm interested in using Linux in a car. I'm familiar with Linux, but not in a car. my 2 questions are:
Which Linux do most of you recommend? Like Linspire, Mandrake, Red Hat, or something else?
What's the best dash to use in a carLinux?

Thanks

I use a hand tuned Gentoo, which boots to 'ready to play music' in about 35 seconds. I'm sure I can get that lower, but I think I'll try hibernation instead.

The software I use in Movin'Media (I'm biased, I wrote it), which you can find here

Gerald

i'm interested in this as well...

however I know nothing about linux so I'll want to put it on a computer here at work and play with it a bit before I took the dive and put it in the car...

can anyone recomend a good kernel for someone like me?

TIA!

I have been learning linux now for the past 6 years. I have built a range of production systems that range from 4CPU database and web servers, thin build firewalls, custom knoppix distros, and now my carPC.

I run multiple dual boot desktop systems and my main development laptop is full-time linux. I have used RedHat, Mandrake, and Debian as well as knoppix, the LRP, and sysrescuecd.

Why am I telling you this? After trying to manage the "big 2" distros in the environments mentioned above I have decided that Debian is the way to go. Hopefully my suggestion will keep you out of "dependancy hell" which where I always seemed to end up trying to customize my RH or mdk installations. Debian has fixed the problems of package distribution with apt and this is only one of the reasons why Debian is top dog in my book.

The learning curve on Debian is a little steep but once you see the power of the apt tools you will understand why deb is a superior distro (gentoo has very similar abilities from what I understand).

The Debian group is also very aware of copyright and patent issues and will allow you to completely avoid installing software that is considered "non-free" or has a questionable patent/CR history if that is your cup 'o tea.

No matter what distro you end up using; Don't give up. Linux is not easy to learn (I still learn something new on it every day) but when you do... Welcome to the big time .

danke!

downloaded the ISO....after lunch I might try it out here at work....=]

be cool to make a custom slackware car distro

Originally Posted by DigitalExpl0it

be cool to make a custom slackware car distro

I haven't been exposed to much slackware. What things do you like about slack?

I vote Debian. I didn't have much trouble understanding the package management system. I prefer it to rpm.

There is no "best" distro. If you have a Linux-savvy friend, use whatever distro they're familiar with. Having someone familiar with the quirks (where are the config options stored for eth0?), is probably more valuable than "gentoo let's you optimized to oblivion", or "debian will let you stay true to free software".

Some tips to help a Linux newbie:
- Don't sweat the partioning scheme, some new people agonize over this. Use the default one for your distro's install, or do a simple one swap and one '/' partition. It's a single-user system, this will be fine, I promise.

- Pick the "normal" settings anywhere you can. That means using ext2 (or ext3) as a file system, not reiserfs or xfs or something. Don't worry about customzing bootsplash. You're trying to avoid having to build a custom kernel or avoid issues like making sure your filesystem driver is compiled in your kernel. When you have problems, this will make life easier. You're already doing something "off the beaten path" with the hardware and environment of your carpc. If you're running what 99% of the people out there are running with your OS, you increase the chances that someoene else can help you. When you're more sure of yourself in the environment, customize all you want.