So I tried debian for the first time

[Zok]

Amazing!

First let me say that I've always been a huge slackware fan. I enjoy configuring everything by hand and fucking with dependencies. I use fedora on my server and I can't tell you how fed up with yum I am. If it's not yum that's broken, it's rpm, or it's SELinux. Fedora is really nice and pretty easy to use, but it's given me a lot of trouble. So anyway...

I downloaded the net install iso, burned it out to a disk, and went through the install. The install didn't take long at all, the computer booted up with no trouble, and I was brought into Metacity. I ran the updates manager, it downloaded and installed all the updates I needed. Then I added 'sid' to my synaptic host list (which caused a bit of trouble - I had to do a bit of research/fiddling in order to get it to work properly). I installed updates from sid and then proceeded to add the software of my choice. It was little trouble to install my drivers for my graphics card, sound card, and the like.

I was quite surprised with how easy it was to install new software and how well the package managers worked - no more dependency problems. I can't say I'm all that thrilled about everything being automated or run through a GUI (I know all the same command line tools exist - I just feel like it's being dumbed down for me).

All in all, I say give debian a try. It's VERY easy to use and get running the way you want. It's not too dumbed down, but it's not a do-it-your-fucking-self distro. A very good beginning point.

[grusomhat]

Debian is really nice from what I've experienced so far. Most programs are in the default repositories which is handy. It's a definite step after using ubuntu for over 8 months.


I'm currently trialling it on a basic media server and everything seems good so far

Originally Posted by grusomhat

Most programs are in the default repositories which is handy.

Until you need to use a piece of software that the Debian developers deem "non free." To the contrary, the package repositories are the biggest problem with Debian today. Just try to install PINE or the JDK and tell me how convenient it is.

[Prometheum]

Originally Posted by toolow

Until you need to use a piece of software that the Debian developers deem "non free." To the contrary, the package repositories are the biggest problem with Debian today. Just try to install PINE or the JDK and tell me how convenient it is.

Why would you want to use non-free software?

Information wants to be free.

[grusomhat]

Originally Posted by Prometheum

Why would you want to use non-free software?

Information wants to be free.

Firefox in debian is called icewease

Originally Posted by toolow

Until you need to use a piece of software that the Debian developers deem "non free." To the contrary, the package repositories are the biggest problem with Debian today. Just try to install PINE or the JDK and tell me how convenient it is.

I was able to install JDK on debian no problem, just went to their site and downloaded the .run file.

aside from the occasional interaction with other distros, Debian was my first real distro. and i still think its one of my favorites, currently a battle between Fedora and Debian

[Zok]

Originally Posted by toolow

Until you need to use a piece of software that the Debian developers deem "non free." To the contrary, the package repositories are the biggest problem with Debian today. Just try to install PINE or the JDK and tell me how convenient it is.

Originally Posted by MR FLIBBLE

I was able to install JDK on debian no problem, just went to their site and downloaded the .run file.

JDK was no problem for me either. I didn't install PINE, but Alpine is in sid: http://packages.debian.org/unstable/mail/alpine

Thus far, debian is the most complete and easy to use distro I've ever used.

[Jaguarstrike]

Now you know why I love it so much

Originally Posted by toolow

Until you need to use a piece of software that the Debian developers deem "non free." To the contrary, the package repositories are the biggest problem with Debian today. Just try to install PINE or the JDK and tell me how convenient it is.

You can use Debian-Unofficial repositories.

i have it as my first choice because its ease to use, and install, and its compatibility. ubuntu was not very friendly to me, or several other people I know (hardware, and not so easy to install).