Linux Distro Talk

[FRB]

It should be noted that the Linux kernel today supports more hardware than Windows ever did.

Linux hardware issues are of four types:
1. Trying to co-exist with Windows. Windows assumes - and won't like if it isn't - that it will be the only OS on your computer. Yes, even if you don't partition your drive and keep your OS on separate drives.

1. Not using the right kernel or distro - some hardware support for very old systems has been removed in modern Linux kernels. You might need an older or more mainstream distro too: if Debian-based doesn't work, try a Red Hat and vice-versa.

2. Proprietary or locked boot loaders. Fixing this requires dicking around in the BIOS/uEFI and disabling SecureBoot. More recently with Windows 10 (fuck you microsoft), they've been trying to force you to use SecureBoot. Manufacturers can enable SecureBoot without a manual way of disabling it.

3. Actual lack of support. With a lot of weird Chinese hardware, they make a half-assed driver for Windows and call it quits, so good luck finding a Linux version.

Some resources:
http://www.linux-drivers.org/
https://certification.ubuntu.com/certification/
http://www.linux-laptop.net/

Alternatively, you could buy a pre-configured system:

System76 - Ubuntu Laptops, Desktops, and Servers

https://zareason.com/

Or really at this point, build your own: it's far cheaper and you can almost assure yourself of a working, Linux-compatible computer.

[RooftopSniper]

Which Raspberry Pi do you have?

I have the latest Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+. They have improved a lot since the first release. Not powerful quite enough for a full blown desktop, but suitable enough for a purpose built machine.

They seem to run retro pie quite well if you want to emulate old console and arcade games. They are powerful enough to run anything older than the Nintendo 64.

Are they still actively maintaining it?

Yes, still actively maintained. it has a fixed release cycle so the rate in which stable versions get released for general use is slower than the rolling release cycle.

I was also under the impression it wasn't exactly set-up for Desktop but more for live-USB or live-CD.

Correct, it is a live distro but can be installed to an internal disk drive no problem.

[SiriusB]

I think he is one of our guys the memes in his video indicate so. You saw that one with don't speak to me or my wifes son like that? Hilarious.

[burlcons]

I might be wrong but in think the lightweight ubuntu desktop distros don't have the spyware. I think that is embedded in the unity shell - sends stuff to amazon to track you.

[FRB]

The stuff in question is an Amazon search lens thing:

How To Disable the Amazon Search Ads in Ubuntu’s Unity Dash

It's pretty easy to disable though.

[Blattbergkatzstein]

I was an Arch Linux autist for a while but in the last year or so I've gone back to Ubuntu. It just werks, and if I want to customize something the possibility is still there.

[Wheatley]

I recommend Ubuntu when people ask because it has the most support.

I boot into text mode then startx into just plain OpenBox where I added tint2 for a task tray. The whole footprint is < 200 meg and I've got 16 gig RAM WOOHOO!

The thing is, Linux will use all the unused RAM on your computer for disc cache. So on this machine instead of a smaller SD drive I went with a 2 TB regular drive and all that RAM. By the time I've accessed anything once it's in cache and never has to hit the drive.

I swear I'm not being weird or old about it. I thought compiz had too many bugs and just set up OpenBox for something and really couldn't think of a reason that I needed anything else. I think desktops on Linux, OSX, and Windows all three are crazy bloated from the old competition they used to have. I go into openbox with like four things running, (network manager, bluetooth, power manager, and dropbox). What else do I need going on? Seems nothing.

[RooftopSniper]

I bought a Mint CD a while back because all this image download stuff was overly complicated, and it seemed to load but never worked

One of the biggest things holding Linux back, IMO. The fact that it doesn't ship new on PCs (hardly any) and it's up to the user to choose a distro, download a disc image, put it on to media, partition drives, configure, etc, etc which can be a bit too much for some people who just want something to use straight out of the box.

If in doubt, buy a Linux magazine which can be found at any good newsagent. They normally come with a DVD that will have some distros to try for free.

With a lot of weird Chinese hardware, they make a half-assed driver for Windows and call it quits, so good luck finding a Linux version.

You mean like those dreaded "Win devices?"... I shudder when I think of those. Cheap OEMs are full of them. Always use reputable hardware and never anything you can't pronounce the name of.

[RooftopSniper]

Manjaro Linux looks pretty good! I'm getting some installation media to try it out on a spare partition.

Also keen to have a look at Trisquel as I've heard a lot of good things about it.

[my_struggle]

Manjaro with Xfce. But there's some blatant kikery going on. There's a kikestar in the user accounts pictures, and the Mime-type editor icon is a kikestar too. Other than that, it's my favorite distro so far.

[Drallod]

I started on Ubuntu years ago, then moved to Mint, and finally settled on Debian. I like security and stability over the newest thrills. Unity makes me sick for some reason. Gnome 3 was irritating at first, but I've grown fond of it forcing me to use more keyboard shortcuts.

[DigitTorz]

Manjaro as of the moment. I just can't find myself to go back to Ubuntu knowing that they allowed amazon into the os.
Another issue i haven't completely worked out is whether systemd is trust-able. If anyone has any input on the case please comment.

[RooftopSniper]

Sounds like systemd adoption may be a bit of a fork in the road for Linux users.

[Vorginia]

Kali

[Sol]

[Wheatley]

Unity makes me sick for some reason.

I agree. I just irrationally hate it. You can make some tweaks to improve it a lot though, but I don't use it. Also Compiz is also so full of bugs that nobody can fix them, (seriously - they have a call out for developers).

I've never used just plain Debian. I've always wondered why more people don't, since most of the big distros are built on top of it anyway. Is it ugly or something?

[Drallod]

That's what I thought a few years ago when I switched. Why not go to the source? Gnome 3 is standard now so it has some eye candy. I guess the releases are too infrequent for many.

[Wheatley]

I may try it next time I setup a new device.

[Canschluss]

I have several RPi 2s and most of them run OpenElec with Kodi as media players.

OpenELEC is a pretty good platform for developing media apps. Last year I wrote a couple of Kodi apps that scraped alt-right content into apps without too much trouble. It's mostly python and XML.

I also run Raspian (Linux) and RetroPi (Emulators) on two other Pis. The RetroPi is setup to work with my old SNES controllers and I have emulators for most of the other old game consoles too. I don't buy games any more but I do like the retro gaming stuff.

[Drallod]

Do you maintain an alt right addon for the community or just personal stuff?