Candidate Distro List
The Candidate Distro List
About this list
Three key points for a candidate distribution:
- easy to use
- large hardware profile
- acessibility
Note from Paul:
- Big five, and interesting others
- List needs to be small and shrink
The List
Mint
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mint
Support Cycle:
- Mint 12 and 9 supported until April 2013
- Mint Debian: rolling distribution
from mint website
System Requirements:
- Recommended 1GHz 512MB RAM
from wikipedia
Comments JP:
- Mint 12 is based on ubuntu with a gnome environment. I installed and after a splash page comes up on the desktop that prompts you to download media and dvd codecs among other things like links to tutorials and other pages on the community website
- Mint website says Mint Debian is neat because it is auto-updating - you never have to upgrade versions. but it is also therefore more unstable. It also reqs knowledge of the command line to enable one-touch-click on laptops and other similar things. They also says it is like ubuntu but rough around the edges.
Ubuntu
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=ubuntu
Arch
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=arch
Support Cycle:
- Rolling
System Requirements:
- (not listed)
Comments JP:
- For advanced users familiar with the CLI and the layout of their system. Installation is robust and ncurses based; user must make many specific choices. Also, once installed, boots to CLI first, no GUI installed by default, must install and start x manually. research from arch website
OpenSuSe
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=suse
Support Cycle:
- ( Supported by Novell. )
System Requirements:
updated: 01/06/11
+: Install is very customizable and works with multiple monitor setups. Networking, sound and many other options can be configured at the time of installation. Gives the option to install either Gnome, KDE and few lesser known GUIs on installation. Most features work out of the box.
-: Software Package Management system not as easy to use as other distros. A few minor glitches on the GUI. Website can be difficult to navigate for help.
CentOS
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=centos
Support Cycle:
- Version 5 - until March 2014
- Version 6 - until November 2017
from centOS FAQ
System Reqs:
- Minimum v5 - 256MB Ram
- Minimum v6 - 512MB Ram
PCLinuxOS
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=pclinuxos
Puppy
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=puppy
Support Cycle:
- Wary and Racy puppy are both LTS (duration not stated)
System Reqs:
- (not listed) though Puppy is intended NOT TO BE INSTALLED TO HD
- it is intended to run off of a LiveCD AND the process to install to HD is long and obscure
Comments JP: website is hard to follow not much community support
Mageia
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mageia
Support Cycle:
- (UNDECIDED)
- Mageia is a Mandriva fork that is 9 months old (brand new)
System Reqs:
- 512MB RAM min - 2GB recommended
- 6GB HD for full install
Mandriva
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mandriva
Support Cycle:
- Mandriva 2011 end support cycle is undecided, but will be after Dec 2012
System Reqs:
- Mandriva 2011 Reqs. min 1GB Ram
Lubuntu
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=lubuntu
Support Cycle:
- 11.10 will be supported until April 2013. It is the first official release as part of the Ubuntu cycle.
System Reqs:
- A Pentium II or Celeron system with 128 MB of RAM is probably a bottom-line configuration that may yield slow yet usable system with Lubuntu. It should be possible to install and run Lubuntu with less memory, but the result will likely not be suitable for practical use. from lubuntu website
Kubuntu
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=kubuntu
Support Cycle:
- (not listed) it appears to follow Ubuntu's support cycle
System Reqs:
- (not listed) but it is ubuntu with KDE and some different applications
Sabayon
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=sabayon
Support Cycle:
- Rolling Release from Sabayon wiki 'Info' Page
System Reqs:
- 512 MB of RAM (1 GB suggested) from FAQ
- Minimum of 12 GB of free hard disk space for KDE and GNOME. from FAQ
Comments JP:
- Based on Gentoo
- Uses Entropy OR Portage Package Management
- Robust website
Chakra
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=chakra
Support Cycle:
System Reqs:
Notes:
- Forked from Arch
- KDE desktop
Zorin OS
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=zorin
Support Cycle:
System Reqs:
Notes:
- Ubuntu-based
- designed for linux new-comers -taken from distrowatch page
- windows-like GUI
- Includes Wine-like functionality
Ultimate
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=ultimate
Bodhi
Fuduntu
Support Cycle: (not stated on website)
System Reqs: 900MHz, 384 MB RAM, 5GB HD