Linux Overview and Demo Chris Wester Jim Santana Jeff Jones

Outline What is a distribution? How many distributions are there? How to get a distribution? Comparison of 4 distributions: –Fedora Core 4 –Gentoo –Debian –Knoppix Live Demonstration

What is a Distribution? A Linux distribution (or distro) is a complete Linux operating system: a collection of free and sometimes non-free software created by individuals, groups and organization from around the world and having the Linux kernel at its core. Companies such as Red Hat, SuSE, MandrakeSoft, as well as the Gentoo project, compile the software and provide it as a complete system ready to install and use. (wikipedia)

How Many Distros Are There? Currently, there are 345 active distributions listed on distrowatch.com

How Do I Get A Distribution? Distributions are available for download from many sources: –Distribution-specific websites. –BitTorrent downloads. –Purchase of installation CD. –OSU’s Open Source Lab (OSUOSL)

Distribution Comparison Comparison of 4 major distributions: –Fedora Core 4 –Gentoo –Debian –Knoppix

Fedora Core 4 OR OSUOSL Advantages: –Graphical Installer –“Out of box” support for most hardware –All packages for install contained on LiveDVD –Older releases of FC become Red Hat Enterprise Linux. –FC5 to be released

Fedora Core 4 Disadvantages: –Poor multimedia support without extensive program manipulations –No hardware optimizations –Enormous system resource usage –Installer size 4 CD’s / 1 DVD

Gentoo Linux OR OSUOSL Advantages: –Powerful Updater: Portage Checks package dependencies before installation –Heavy Multimedia support “Out of box” DIVX, MP3, XVID, Quicktime –Highly Customizable hardware configurations Lower system resource usage Faster program execution –Installer size: 1 CD

Gentoo Linux Disadvantages: –No Graphical Installer Text-Based only –LiveCD doesn’t contain extra packages GUI must be downloaded from the internet –Hardware specific kernel means long compile times for software.

Debian OR OSUOSL Advantages: –Package installer Apt-get Checks for dependencies before installation –Huge pool of volunteer programmers

Debian Disadvantages: –Installation size: 14 CD’s / 2 DVD –Doesn’t include KDE –Difficult to configure

Knoppix OR OSUOSL Advantages: –No HD installation necessary –Fully functional GUI (KDE) –Hardware Support via NDISWrapper Uses Windows drivers –Ease of use Boot to CD Perfect for first-time users

Knoppix Disadvantages: –Performance depends on system specs Loads entire OS to RAM Must expand programs from the CD to RAM Only has one GUI (KDE) –Heavy system resource usage

Demonstration

So What’s The Best Distro? It Depends. –Intended usage –End-user demands