Linux Overview and DemoOutlineWhat is a Distribution?How Many Distros Are There?How Do I Get A Distribution?Distribution ComparisonFedora Core 4Slide 8Gentoo LinuxSlide 10DebianSlide 12KnoppixSlide 14DemonstrationSo What’s The Best Distro?Linux Overview and DemoChris WesterJim SantanaJeff JonesOutline•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 DemonstrationWhat 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.comHow 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)•http://ftp.oregonstate.edu/pubDistribution Comparison•Comparison of 4 major distributions:–Fedora Core 4–Gentoo–Debian–KnoppixFedora Core 4•http://www.fedora.org 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 02.27.06Fedora Core 4•Disadvantages:–Poor multimedia support without extensive program manipulations–No hardware optimizations–Enormous system resource usage–Installer size•4 CD’s / 1 DVDGentoo Linux•http://www.gentoo.org 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 CDGentoo 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•http://www.debian.org OR OSUOSL•Advantages:–Package installer Apt-get•Checks for dependencies before installation–Huge pool of volunteer programmersDebian•Disadvantages:–Installation size: •14 CD’s / 2 DVD–Doesn’t include KDE–Difficult to configureKnoppix•http://www.knoppix.org 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 usersKnoppix•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 usageDemonstrationSo What’s The Best Distro? •It Depends.–Intended usage–End-user