Fedora vs. Ubuntu

[Mark Haney]

Arthur Pemberton wrote:
> I have a computer science class mate who is interested in switching to
> Linux, starting small with installing it and dual booting. He fits the
> type that should be able to switch easiy: non-hardcore gamer, non
> hardcore multimedia.
>
> My question to the list is could you compare and contrast Fedora and
> Ubuntu so that I may pass on the information so that he may make a
> choice himself?
I have had several people come to me with the same questions.  FWIW, 
here's my two cents (US).  For the longest time I've had people 
(relatives mostly that I'm trying to wean off Windows, just so I can ssh 
into their systems to fix them without having to make a trip) use the 
Kubuntu LiveCDs.  Since a large portion do come from the Windows world, 
the KDE interface is a little easier transition for them.

This actually works pretty well since most of the people I'm dealing 
with have relatively new PCs and easily supported hardware.  I have, 
however, pulled down, but not tried (yet) the FC LiveCD, but I'm hoping 
to pretty soon.  Although I'd like to see a KDE based FC LiveCD as well 
as a GNOME based one.

As for Ubuntu (any version), my beef (and always will be) has been the 
binary packages.  Apt-get is great.  It's the fact it's based on Debian 
I'm not fond of.  As an Admin with 3 Debian boxes, I assure you, if they 
weren't production systems, they'd all have been blown away with FC or 
RHEL on them.  I've never had as much trouble upgrading packages as I do 
with Debian based distros.

HTH.



-- 
Ceterum censeo, Carthago delenda est.

Mark Haney
Sr. Systems Administrator
ERC Broadband
(828) 350-2415