Which desktop Linux distribution?
Hobbyist versus serious deployment
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Reader Poll One of the most common objections to desktop Linux is fragmentation. With so many distributions, which one do you choose for serious deployment in a business environment? Given the amount of work involved in any desktop OS switch in terms requirements analysis, application selection, compatibility testing, integration with systems management processes, etc., you want to make sure that the horse you back represents a safe long-term bet.
Against this background, many would argue that the favourite distribution amongst hobbyists, Ubuntu, may not always be the right choice. Red Hat and Novell (with SUSE) in particular are often highlighted as being more ‘enterprise friendly’, both in terms of the tools and service surround that accompany them, and support from the enterprise IT supplier community in general.
But is this true? Is there a difference between the requirements of smaller and larger organisations? Does it depend on the type(s) of user involved?
We want to know your views on what matters when selecting a distribution for mainstream business deployment.
Let us know what you think in the comment box below or via our broader desktop Linux survey running over here.
COMMENTS
Which? One you know and/or like.
Why not all of them? the power is freedom, freedom to choose whatever you like.
Personally the choice is Mandriva, but I also regularly use Knoppix (nice toolkit), Trinity (last-ditch virus scans before data rescue), and DD-WRT/Tomato for embedded routers or Untangle for PC based firewall/router, and whatever happens to be running on an embedded device I get my hands on such as the Buffalo LinkStation.
In the past I have also used and/or tried Red Hat (before and after the fork to Fedora, handful of releases), Fedora, Yellow Dog, Freesco, Coyote, Vector, Mint, Puppy, DSL, SME Server, SuSe (before, and after Novell got involved). Yes, I tried several Ubuntu releases too to see what the fuss was about, and it's quite nice.
Really, it's just subject to user preference. Much respect for those that create these things for us to use, thank you!
Written from a Mandriva 2009 + KDE 3.5.x + Compiz Fusion 'desktop' oriented HP Compaq nc6120 notebook, at the office :P
@Trix
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No-one's asked the question
By Trix Posted Friday 3rd April 2009 05:57 GMT
Boffin
How about updates for Linux distros that you can deploy to the environment without each and every machine connecting and downloading them willy-nilly.
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Nobody is stopping you from rsync'ing the repositories to a local server overnight, and then allow the client PC's package managers access to that new local server when you're good and ready. :)
Squid as a caching proxy will help a lot too for your bandwidth woes.
As I'm now a Consultant*
I use Ubuntu 8.10. Browse web, get e-mails - Tux Droid lets me know - fill in endless and pointless job application forms, write CV's, introductory letters, it's all I want. PC Compaq 700mhz, 512 meg, 20G HDD, and on the dole. Can't afford owt else. (OK, the eeepc is useful from the pub^H^H^H town but...)
<Eeyore_mode>
*DEFINITION: Unemployed bloke with leather patches on his Tweed jacket, trying to find some crumbs of work from his aged old laptop on his kitchen table in the second half-century of his sad bastard existence. Sigh. Pathetic, that's what it is. Pathetic. Some do, and some don't.
Senior Consultant? As above, but owns a Zimmer frame and a stair-lift. And dribbles.
</Eeyore_mode>
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