[NMLUG] Choosing from the latest distros

[sbrowne at ix.netcom.com (Steve Browne)]

It's time to upgrade, and although I've been satisfied with Mandriva
2006 for this year, I wanted to check the latest releases of other
contenders. I've looked at Ubuntu 6.0.6-AMD64, Kubuntu 6.0.6.1-x86,
OpenSuSE-10.1 and Fedora Core 5. I eliminated "live CD only" distros
as unsuitable.

I still like Mandriva the best. I like the individual package
selection on installation. I like the online graphical monitor - which
most other distros forget entirely. It detects all my hardware. Fedora
Core 5, strangely, did not detect my D: HDD (vfat) and I had to inset
it into fstab manually. Ubuntu/Kubuntu works, but provides only the
basics. A flashy desktop screen does not a superior distro make (says
Yoda). I have Mandriva 2007 beta 2 on DVD coming in on order (too much
to download).

Am I forgetting Debian? No, but I want to try the LATEST releases, and
Debian is currently between releases. Sarge is already long in the
tooth, and Etch won't be out until October, so I'll wait until
October. I admit that three DVDs worth of OS + apps sounds intriguing.
Thousands of apps I'll never use!

Steve

Stephen B. Browne
sbrowne@ix.netcom.com
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."
                          - Walt Disney