Gritty Linux reviews and rants
This is going to be a somewhat disorganised review of a few rolling release [Linux] distributions that has a LiveCD .iso you can download, burn on a CD and have a go at before you infest your computer with it.
Fedora 15 was released not too long ago and I was pleased with it. Mainly because of GNOME 3. The other new features were less obvious to me and to honest, I couldn’t really give a hoot. But already I am looking at the calendar and dreading the day when Fedora 16 is ready for download. Because that means I am very tempted to re-install Fedora on my computer, only to get the latest fixes, and bells and whistles.
The annoying thing with Linux is that updates are released very frequently. So frequently that a rolling release should seem more natural and logical than having fixed release dates. However, this is something I will mention in my “reviews” and later on in this rant.
But first I need to trash my favourite Linux distribution:
Fedora
What I like about Fedora is that the LiveCD install is very minimal. No extra fluff. Unfortunately this has a downside. It has made me very picky when trying out other Linux distributions. The slightest hint of being bloated I move on or back to Fedora. So looking for another distribution is a pain in the arse, because most other distributions seems to be obsessed with treating all users as idiots who do not know how to install software. And the assume all users love to have every possible application available installed.
Fedora has also spoiled me by letting me install a fully functional OS in less than 30 minutes that I can tweak later, if I feel the need to tweak.
Now, let me start trashing some rolling release distributions.
Arch Linux
This would seem like the perfect distribution for me. The most established rolling release distribution out there. Unfortunately it thinks it is still 1998 and that you should spend a day or two reading howtos in hope that you will not have to do a re-install ever again. Kind of based on the idea that you should tweak it work and pray you can use it the next day. So it is far from ideal to me. Let me install a base system that I can tweak later, if I feel it needs to be tweaked.
CTKArch
This is minimal Arch LiveCD that comes with openbox and lets you install it to your hard drive without spending hours trying to make things work. It is basically a base system, but still not what I am looking for. I want to use GNOME 3 by clicking a button or writing a simple command in CLI.
Fine! Judge me! I don’t care! I am lazy!
ArchBang
It comes with Chromium browser instead of Firefox…
#!
Based on Debian (testing) and comes with Chromium browser.
aptosid
Very tempting, but when iceweasel is version 3.5.x I am far from impressed. Really? Still on version 3.5.x? Not shocked if they are still using a 3.x.x when Firefox 5 is released.
openSUSE Tumbleweed
To be honest, I haven’t tried it yet, but I am very close to installing it on my Eee PC 701. The support for GNOME 3 might be a bit wonky still, but hey, at least the openSUSE dev team has understood that rolling release is the way to go.
Not very in-depth, I know. But hey, I did say it would be a gritty rant.
It might sound a bit cliché, but hey, I’m too old for this crap. It was fun to re-install my computer every 3rd month when computers and Linux were new to me, but I know what software I want to use and need. All I want is a system that will be up and running for as long as possible and receive constant updates. Re-installing several times a months has become somewhat outdated. Only Debian can still get away with having release schedule of 1-3 years between each release. Sure, Debian is stable, but I want to use a Firefox version that was released this year, not last year.
Again I am faced with the temptation of just getting a Mac and be part of the Apple Cult again. Why not? They seem to be starting to support a partial rolling release schedule. The next release of Mac OS X can only be bought and delivered through the App Store on your Mac.
Hmmm…
If I had the money I would probably get Mac tomorrow. A Macbook Air 11″. But alas, I don’t crap money, so as I see it I have two choices- until I get some extra cash -stick with Fedora or switch to openSUSE Tumbleweed.
I just wanted to respectfully disagree with your assessment of Arch. Have you actually done an install using the beginner’s guide? If you seriously want to see what it is like, give that a shot — do it in a VM first if you must.
Arch doesn’t say you should be stuck in 1998. Arch says you *can* be if you want to be. I’ve tried a LOT of distros in the past few years (I don’t mean I booted a livecd, I mean I’ve had them installed for at least a few days to see what it would be like to live with them.)
The Arch installation is much more intimidating before you do it – and in the end you go “wow, that really wasn’t bad”. The official docs, the beginner’s guide, and the wiki are so amazingly detailed and well written that it is astounding. The worst thing I can say about the docs is that you should read forward a few steps and take the occaisional hyperlink to a side-topic in the beginner’s guide if it’s an area where you are not completely clear — as every once in awhile the installaion procedure throws something in after the fact that would have been good to know when you were following instructions a few sentences up.
I first tired arch about 3 years ago when I was barely a year into Linux. I have continued to look around since then, and am back now. It’s not for everyone, but it’s worth a serious look. Even as a relative noob I was able to do the installation.
Have a closer look, you may find it’s nicer than you think.
*Posted from Gnome3 on my 2-day old Arch installation.
I have looked at it, read through it and decided I was too spoiled to actually do it. I understand those who don’t mind doing this, but I’m done tinkering with Linux. All I want is to install via a CD/DVD and start using the OS to get my work done.
It is probably the most well documented distro on the market. That is impressive. I find them even better documented than Fedora.
Nah… The day they release a installable LiveCD with GNOME 3 I’ll give it a go. :)
I will never stop using *nix systems, and I honestly miss using a Mac. Yeah, you might get a bit locked in with Apple, but Macs just work.
Fair enough, just wanted to be sure you weren’t just turned away by the sheer mass of the beginner’s guide + initial console install.
Thanks for not making fun of my numerous typos. :-) New keyboard, and I seem to not be applying enough pressure to certain keys at times…
It is kind of the mass of the beginner’s guide, but mostly because distros like Fedora and openSUSE has made it too easy to get a new system up and running in less than an hour. I enjoy working in CLI, just not for too long. And it’s also because I’m very busy at the moment.
No worries. :) Like one of my Twitter followers once said, I rather read a well formed argument riddled with spelling mistakes than an argument with perfect spelling which says nothing at all [paraphrased]. In the end, content is what matters.