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From: Stefan Patric on 13 Apr 2010 17:09
On Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:11:21 -0700, pH wrote:

> Hi Everybody.
> Well, I have a new 320GB hard drive to replace my old 72GB one.
>
> I thought I might as well upgrade as well. I'm dial-up so have been
> pretty static over the years.
>
> I currently run Mandriva 10.1 Official. I have a Shuttle w/ 512MB of
> memory. I very seldom go into swap...maybe a few mb now and then so
> it's been very adequate for my needs.

If you still like Mandriva, why not get one of the 2010 versions?

I would suggest, regardless of which distro you ultimately decide on,
upgrading your RAM to at least 2GB. More would be better. Today's
distros need more RAM. And Shuttle graphics shares RAM, right?

> I would like some recommendations for some similar weight distributions.
>
> I am thinking of:
>
> Mint XFCE 8.0

Light weight. Works well. But you really have to like the color
green. ;-)

> Debian

Very stable. Easy to use. Long release cycle--about 2 years between
major releases. Excellent long time support--about 4-5 years per release.

> Slackware

Haven't used Slackware in several years, but I consider it THE distro for
the experienced Linux user who needs a highly configurable system as
close to Unix as legally possible.

> Centos

The Open Source version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Mainly designed for
servers, but can be configured as a general user desktop. Very, very
stable. Version 5 (same as RHEL) code and kernel based on Fedora Core 6,
which was released about 4 years ago. However, it is fully supported and
"up-to-date." Long release cycle. Long time support usually around 5
years.

FWIW, look at Scientific Linux, too:

http://www.scientificlinux.org/

It like CentOS is also an Open Source repackaging of RHEL, but from the
people at Fermi Lab and CERN. It's version releases like CentOS' come
about a month after RHEL's. I find it noticeably more responsive than
CentOS. Very, very stable. Long release cycle. Long support time.
Version 5 like CentOS based on FC6.

If either Cent or SL seem to suit you, you should consider waiting for
their next release, which should be 4Q this year. That is the rumored
time for the release of RHEL 6, which is expected to be based on Fedora
12 and/or 13. 12 is the most current release of Fedora having debuted
last November. 13 Final is due late May of this year.

I currently use Fedora 12 as my main OS, and have been running Fedora
since the Core 3 version. So, what's that? 6 years? However, I am
seriously considering switching to Scientific Linux (configured as a
general use desktop) when 6 is released. I'm tiring of Fedora's short
(13 months or so) support cycle.

Also, take a look at PCLinuxOS 2009: http://pclinuxos.com/ Lots of
"spinoff" versions to better suit your needs. Based on Mandriva, if I'm
not mistaken. Stable. Good support. "Average" hardware requirements.
Has most every thing needed and configured--codecs, Flash, proprietary
drivers, etc.--to "work-right-out-of-the-box."

Good Luck.

Stef
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