Freespire, OpenSUSE, Mandriva, and Ubuntu - The Most Suitable Distros for Linux Dummy

July 11, 2007

The most suitable distros for a total Linux dummy are Freespire, OpenSUSE, Mandriva, and Ubuntu, according to online test called Linux Distribution Chooser.

If you are a complete Linux beginner, who has never used Linux before and doesn’t know how to partition a hard drive, but wants to install a free and stable flavor of this operating system on a PC machine, the Distribution Chooser advises you to install one of the following distros:

1. Freespire - Freespire is a community-driven, Linux-based operating system that combines the best that free, open source software has to offer (community driven, freely distributed, open source code, etc.), but also provides users the choice of including proprietary codecs, drivers and applications as they see fit.

2. OpenSUSE - The openSUSE project is a community program sponsored by Novell. Promoting the use of Linux everywhere, this program provides free, easy access to the world’s most usable Linux distribution, SUSE Linux. OpenSUSE delivers everything that Linux developers and enthusiasts need to get started with Linux. Hosted at opensuse.org, the project features easy access to builds and releases. It also offers extensive community development programs for open access to the development process used to create SUSE Linux.

3. Mandriva - Mandriva Linux (formerly known as Mandrake Linux) was created in 1998 with the goal of making Linux easier to use for everyone. Mandriva offers all the power and stability of Linux to both individuals and professional users in an easy-to-use and pleasant environment.

4. Ubuntu - Ubuntu is a free, open source operating system that starts with the breadth of Debian and adds regular releases (every six months), a clear focus on the user and usability (it should “Just Work”, TM) and a commitment to security updates with 18 months of support for every release. Ubuntu ships with the latest Gnome release as well as a selection of server and desktop software that makes for a comfortable desktop experience off a single installation CD.

You can take the Linux Distribution Chooser test by yourself at www.zegeniestudios.net. The test is currently available in English, Czech, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Romanian, Portuguese, Finnish, Norwegian, and Slovak.

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  1. jazz said...

    Who are you calling a dummy you dummy!!!!

    July 13th, 2007

  2. ThinkBuntu said...

    “this program provides free, easy access to the world’s most usable Linux distribution, SUSE Linux.”

    Only a Linux Dummy would believe that statement.

    July 13th, 2007

  3. Charles said...

    I use LinuxMint and it’s fantastic. It’s based on Ubuntu but is more like Freespire, in that all propietary codecs drivers are installed. It’s the best Distro I’ve found.

    July 13th, 2007

  4. A.J. Baudrez said...

    The website hasn’t been updated in ages. The tests are done based on outdated versions of a small selection of distro’s. (Zenwalk 4.2 -> 4.6)
    (Fedora Core 6 -> Fedora 7)
    (Mepis 6 -> 6.5)
    (Ubuntu 6.10 -> 7.04)
    (PcLinuxOS 0.93 -> 2007)

    It simply doesn’t reflect the current state of art of the curent distro’s .

    PCLinuxOS is rejected in a test because : “May require Linux knowledge” … Euh… A LiveCd requiring Linux knowledge ?
    And what about a result given Ubuntu as the Nr1 choice and Kubuntu rejected because “Not suitable for beginners”. I suppose it is based on KDE being unsuitable for beginners and Gnome being suited for beginners ??? If that isn’t a biased opinion…. because nowhere in the test the choice of a GUI is required of you.

    So, or the whole project you are referring to is a joke, or your article is ill-written, because you make it look like Dummies must take one of the distro’s listed on that site, Gentoo, Slackware included, but Mint and DreamLinux are not included.

    It is not a test I would suggest a newbie to take.

    July 13th, 2007

  5. Steve Gunhouse said...

    While I agree that the three of those I’ve used (I haven’t tried Freespire) are suitable for Linux noobs generally, I wouldn’t consider LDC as much of an authority on the subject. There are any number of other distros which may also qualify (PCLOS being one that comes to mind).

    As I understand it, the Linux Distribution Chooser is not based on usability studies but mostly word-of-mouth recommendations, and therefore can’t be considered scientific.

    July 13th, 2007

  6. Jason said...

    What about PCLinuxOS? It’s based on Mandriva and I think it’s easier to use than openSUSE.

    July 13th, 2007

  7. FreeSoftNews » Blog Archive » Freespire, OpenSUSE, Mandriva, and Ubuntu–The Most Suitable Distros for Linux Dummy said...

    [...] “If you are a complete Linux beginner, who has never used Linux before and doesn’t know how to partition a hard drive, but wants to install a free and stable flavor of this operating system on a PC machine, the Distribution Chooser advises you to install one of the following distros…” Complete Story [...]

    July 13th, 2007

  8. arijit said...

    I must say, you wrote the article without much thinking.
    I found this site few months back and took the test. I wanted to kick windows out of my PC and completely switch to Linux that time, no fancy dual-boot. That time I only knew about fedora and red hat. As per site recommendation, I downloaded ubuntu. It’s great distro, no doubt, but as I learned more and more about Linux, I didn’t fear about trying other distro. And I found Gentoo (and Sabayon) is another good distro. Their package system is too good and too flexible to handle. Not much hard to handle.
    But despite giving my technical knowledge as expert (I used windows for 9+ years and used to play with it) and Linux knowledge as intermediate (I used Linux for almost one year in dual-boot before this switching), this site didn’t recommend me gentoo, slackware etc. and restricted me within *ubuntu, fedora, opensuse, mandriva. When do you think, an user can try Gentoo or Slackware? After 10 years of Linux usage? ;-)
    Right now, I am using ubuntu and Sabayon and living my life happily without any proprietary software.

    All of Thanks goes to Linux and Open-Source community.
    Long live Linux, open source and free software!

    July 14th, 2007

  9. michuk said...

    Check out the Distro Chooser at http://polishlinux.org/choose/quiz/

    It has been just recently updated to include two new systems (NetBSD and KateOS): http://polishlinux.org/vortal/linux-distribution-chooser-updated/

    Also, Linux/BSD Distribution Comparisons are worth a notice: http://polishlinux.org/choose/comparison/

    Best regards,
    michuk

    July 17th, 2007