My vote goes for gentoo :). Reasons include -> # Source based distro, so everything is custom compiled by you. I think its noticably faster than any "prebuilt" systems. With piles of choice for install, you can start by compiling gcc/base tools - or not if you don't feel like it. # Killer! package management system (portage) (apt has nothing on portage!), auto-dependancy resolving, auto-source package download, rsync package metadata updates, package masking (to stop you from installing the bleeding edge slightly less tested package version if you don't want to). Gives you the power to perform a complete system update in one command # you can set make opts etc. in one place, to be used in all packages you use # Completely modernized init scripts, they are all in the same place - and work similarily. (I love avoiding the madness in some distributions). # kernel compile tool (genkernel), that completely automates the build of kernels including inird/busybox/etc. # large, helpful and friendly community # farly complete set of documents (avalible from the documentation page), covering how to setup lots of common things, specific to gentoo - without nonsense (ie - alsa setup, x and kde setup) # packages make it into portage within days of releases # full gentoo portage mirror on jsg (so people with jetst* can download packages fast and free) # simple package installation (emerge kde, rather than wading through piles of tree menus to install specific packages) # good on lots of arch's (my amd64 is humming along with it) + it gives you the know-how to understand whats really going on, so you know what to do when there is somthing wrong with the system. Back when I used debian, or even back further, when I used redhat - my solution to every problem was to put the install cd back in. + many more All in all - I find gentoo to be awsome, even if it takes a bit more effort to install, its worth it! (if anybody wants more info, or a copy of a live cd let me know, or visit www.gentoo.org and/or ftp://ftp2.jetstreamgames.co.nz/pub/dist/gentoo). (my few cents) m Greig McGill wrote:
zcat said: (re: changing needs of WLUG users distros)
I think we need another meeting.
Fair enough. Craig, can you add this to the agenda for the next committee meeting? Everyone else, can you submit (here) the best reasons for running your distro of choice? Things to consider:
1. Don't get personal - I don't care if you hate slackware - no inter-distro digs.2. I know we're informal here, but please no trolling or "how about BSD?"calls. BSD will be once everyone is running a GNU/Linux. ;)3. Try and avoid rebuttle, unless it's pointing out a genuine error. 4. Remember, primary criteria is WE ALL HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT IT.
Cheers,