Things To Know Before Using Linux

Dark Star

Package Managers & Linux Distributions

A software is distributed in packages , these packages ease the installation process and don't haphazard users with unwanted component of Compiling Packages..A package consists of important files for installation and for software program to work properly..
Windows user must be aware of .exe extension .. The .exe is a closed sourced package which help user install software easily and efficiently.. But in Linux exe packages don't work as exe is MS exclusive package meant only for MS Windows.

Similarly to help user install components easily Linux Distributions comes with packages ..There are many package formats, with .tgz, .deb and .rpm being the most common. Others like .pup, .pisi, .tazpkg and .mo are less common. Source code is usually distributed as tar.gz or tar.bz2 files, but some distributions distribute their binary packages this way as well. Most of us probably use .deb or .rpm packages.

.. Some of the most commonly used packages are :--

.deb : - .deb is a Debian developed package meant for Debian and Debian based distributions.. Some say that deb packages work faster than rpm but I have no problem with any of them.. Some distro using Debian Package Manager are Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Dream Linux etc..
.rpm : - .rpm is another popular package developed by Red Hat for its RHEL and Fedora Os. Some other distribution using rpm package manager are openSUSE, Mandriva, PCLinuxOS.
.tar.gz : - This is another package manager though not used by many distribution as the main package manager but still a great alternative to rar and zip packages..
Distro Sepcific Packages : There are few distro that uses their own package manager .. Some of them are Arch Linux, Paradus and other..

Linux Distributions are Operating System based on GNU/Linux and Desktop Environment . There are lots of Linux distribution developed by different individual/companies.. Most of the Linux Distro available comes for free of charge though exceptions are there. Few commercial Linux distro available are Linux XP, Mandriva Powerpack [Free Editions also available], Suse Enterprise Ed, Red Hat OS etc...

These distro works/use the above mentioned package manager to provide a sophisticated environment to newbies and professionals.. With increasing in Linux market developers/companies are focusing more on work experience by including easy configuration tool and applications. Few of the most popular and easy to use Linux OS are Ubuntu, Mandriva, Dream Linux, openSUSE etc..

Here is a segregation of distro on the basis of functionality and ease of use..

Easy to Use : - Ubuntu, Mandriva, Linux Mint, PCLOS, Sabayon, Dream Linux etc...
Power Users : - Ubuntu, Mandriva, openSUSE , Fedora etc...
Multimedia Out of the Box : - Mandriva, Linux Mint, Dream Linux, Sabayon etc...
Do it yourself distro : - Arch Linux, Slackware etc...
Media Center Distro : Mythbuntu, eAr OS, GeeXbox etc...

Dark Star · #1 (**permalink**) By Dark Star on 17 Aug 08, 09:17 AM

Please digg the post here Digg - Things To Know Before Using Linux

Gurpartap Singh · By Gurpartap Singh on 17 Aug 08, 09:17 AM

Digg here: ...
Edit: whoops , you already added it there

Great post buddy!

vishalrao · #3 (**permalink**) By vishalrao on 17 Aug 08, 10:20 AM

Great effort again

Nitari · #4 (**permalink**) By Nitari on 17 Aug 08, 11:03 AM

took 30 mins to completely read it and yes its very useful for first timer like me, gonna try Mandriva

grt effort repped

rahulyo · #5 (**permalink**) By rahulyo on 17 Aug 08, 06:27 PM

Thanx Dude ....

prakashan · #6 (**permalink**) By prakashan on 17 Aug 08, 06:33 PM

good effort.digged too.

SidhuScorpion · #7 (**permalink**) By SidhuScorpion on 17 Aug 08, 06:33 PM

Repped and Dugg !

Good tutorial buddy

|Anish| · #8 (**permalink**) By |Anish| on 17 Aug 08, 10:37 PM

you always seem to amaze me with your reviews/previews/guides ... this is just an awesome guide to a person like me who does not know either head nor tail regarding other OSs

.. Thanks a millions Darky

Can you also give me an idea about the best looking Linux distro available?
I have Ubuntu/Kubuntu. But i also want to try out something different for daily usage combined with great appearance

Thanks again

hammerhead · #9 (**permalink**) By hammerhead on 17 Aug 08, 11:16 PM

Excellent post. Sorry I cannot rep you, have to spread more reps

Dark Star · #10 (**permalink**) By Dark Star on 17 Aug 08, 11:16 PM

^^ You can always change the appearence of your desktop .. Linux desktop are too scalable for that Ubuntu Customization Guide v2 ..

But if you need out of the box candy I would suggest Mandriva , well it depends on person to person.. The thing I like might not suite you and so on .. Check Mandriva here http://www.techenclave.com/reviews-a...sh-111577.html

spynic · #11 (**permalink**) By spynic on 17 Aug 08, 11:23 PM

how do u get so much time?? good for newbie's..cant rep yet, need to spread around

tracyanne · #12 (**permalink**) By tracyanne on 18 Aug 08, 04:58 AM

Very nice article darkstar. I've been a Linux user (Mandriva) since 2000, when Mandriva was called Mandrake.

Ph4x0r · #13 (**permalink**) By Ph4x0r on 18 Aug 08, 10:41 AM

Great thanks.. helped me a lot ! Expecting much more from you.

Gaurish · #14 (**permalink**) By Gaurish on 18 Aug 08, 12:01 PM

Great Effort:hapy2:

btw, compiling from source is not needed for most of time, hence you should always use precompiled binaries your distros package manager like Add/Remove Programs in Ubuntu.

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