Ubuntu is slower than Mepis for some reason even though Mepis is like 70% of Ubuntu from what I understand. Either of these 'should' auto detect EVERYTHING on your computer at least to the functional ability and have you up and running with a full install in less than 30 mins .
I do this stuff or a living but shunned the 'nix community for the longest time because it just wasn't a viable option. The sheer glut of information I need to know is overwhelming enough.
BUT I broke down and started tinkering with different linux builds. I was into FreeBSD4.5 pretty hard for awhile mostly for server operations and because I HAD to know it at the time..
Linux is ...ok...
NOT for gaming. Sorry. Whoever believes so is just fooling themselves.
However, if you are doing any graphics work there is a program that runs (on windows also) called GIMP that is Open Source and comes with most of these builds. It's not too shaby. It's not Photoshop (which many proclaim is a better than Photoshop, but it just doesn't have the support and the uber mods), BUT if you get used to it there is no reason why you couldn't do everything under the sun with it...AND IT'S FREEEEEEEEEEE! (as long as you don't use it for commercial purposes where the distribution of your work could be consider a 'redistrubtion') or whatever..
Many of these linux builds eventually will be as streamlined and user friendly as Windows. When they are, they will cost the same or close to it, and will run just as slow. Then the hackers will come in and it will have it's own vuns to worry about (as it does already).
Bottom line, check em out. If you have an old box laying around and want to put an OS on it, and are a boyscout sticking to the letter of the law and not copying windows to make that happen.....then install Linux.
Some suggestions:
Ubuntu - Download and burn the iso to cd. Pop it in your current computer and run it. In minutes you'll be at a desktop able to piddle around and it's ALL RUNNING FROM CD. Pretty sweet eh? Test drive without installing.
There is an option on the desktop to install the OS. If you already have windows installed, and have a free partition on your harddrive, it will install o nthere an allow you to dual boot (which lets you pick your OS when you first start your computer)
However, ubuntu is slow like I said, and I really am not a huge fan of the desktop environment like the one that is on Mepis.
Mepis - bit faster than Ubuntu with supposedly a better package installed. Bit harder for me to get my printer up and running but the difference was 2 minutes for ubuntu to 5 minutes for Mepis (only because mepis didn't have my exact driver and the one I picked didn't look right)
I still haven't had success of either build being able to use my video card for 3d...I'd LIKE TO download some of the half decent games on there.
BUT it serves as a machine for email, internet etc while I'm flying a bomber to a location etc.
Mepis is also a 'live cd' whereas you can test drive it prior to installing it.
Good luck installing drivers or updating (you dont have to is the answer you will get most of the time)
on a final note, I've managed to crash both builds horribly. Quick most clicking and running too many operations at once...
I finally figured out that if you hit, I believe CTRL-ALT-ESC you get these little crossbones which you can use to click on any 'hung' app to terminate it like windoze 'end process/task'.
Pretty sweet!
GL!
