| Which Linux distribution (distro) or Linux Operating | | | | 2. Hardware |
| System is the best? | | | | Most of Open Source Operating System |
| In my opinion, there is no definite answer. There | | | | especially Linux Operating System is not an ugly |
| is no 'best' distribution that suit everyone and level | | | | duck anymore. You will be amazed with powerful |
| of expertise. | | | | and stable Desktop Graphical User Interface. |
| From my past experiences, the 'best' Linux | | | | However, you must know type of hardware to |
| distribution is distribution that your | | | | be used. Linux Operating System that builds for |
| comfortable-with. For example, I am a Red Hat | | | | servers are not suitable for netbook or |
| Linux user since ver6.x. Since, I am so familiar | | | | embedded hardware. |
| with Red Hat-based distributions, I feel a bit hard | | | | 3. Popularity |
| for me to switch to Debian-based distributions. | | | | Popular Open Source Operating System has more |
| Again, this is nothing to do with learning curve is | | | | support from community. The easiest way to |
| just my personal preference | | | | check their popularity is to check on the Page Hit |
| Perhaps, most of the Linux gurus might already | | | | Ranking at Other than that, you need to perform |
| know the answer well for choosing correct Linux | | | | a little research on support forum and technical |
| distribution for themselves. However, if you are | | | | blogs. |
| new to Open Source or Linux, I would like to | | | | -Any mailing list? How active is the mailing list? |
| share with you 5 strategies for choosing the right | | | | How many online support forums? |
| Open Source distribution. | | | | -How active these forums? |
| 5 major key strategies for choosing correct Linux | | | | - Response time for technical help? Anyone |
| Distributions are:- | | | | attend to the questions? |
| | | | Mandrake, Freebsd, Ubuntu, Red Hat, Debian, |
| 1. Your Objective | | | | Suse, Gentoo and CentOS are some of the |
| 2. Hardware | | | | popular- Open Source / Linux distributions. |
| 3. Popularity | | | | 4. Roadmap, developers' background and sponsors |
| 4. Roadmap, developers' background and | | | | list |
| sponsors. | | | | If your Linux distribution is used for enterprise |
| 5. Official Support or Commercial support | | | | system, I would advise you to check on their |
| 1. Your Objective | | | | roadmap, developers or organization background. |
| First and foremost, ask yourself what is the | | | | We definitely need to look for something which is |
| purpose of using Linux Distribution. Listed below | | | | built on solid background and have a clear |
| are some examples that most of newcomer use | | | | roadmap. Funders also play critical role on the |
| Linux for:- | | | | product development and R&D. |
| - Replacing property Desktop Operating System? | | | | 5. Official Support or Commercial support |
| - Replacing property Server Operating System? | | | | If your Operating System is planned long-term |
| - Target Group? Implement new Linux Operating | | | | support or commercial use, please opt for Official |
| System for kids? Senior citizens? Computer | | | | Support or Commercial support. Please |
| savvy? | | | | remember, the keyword 'Free' means 'freedom' |
| - Implement your Linux for web servers? File | | | | and not 'free in cost'. |
| sharing? Firewall and router? Print Server? | | | | I hope all 5 strategies will help you to choose your |
| Different Linux distributions for different needs; | | | | 'best' Linux Distribution and welcome to Open |
| we need to check its functionality to see if | | | | Source world! |
| particular Linux distribution fit our requirements. | | | | |