[ILUG] Suggestions for best 64 bit Linux distro?

[Dara Ó Maoilmhichíl]

On 28/06/05, nadir at compsoc.nuigalway.ie <nadir at compsoc.nuigalway.ie> wrote:
> Quoting Proinnsias Breathnach <proinnsias at linux.ie>:
> 
> > To quote a favourite ditty of mine:
> >       "But I've got a girlfriend and work to get done,
> >        the linux OS Sucks (sorry to say it ...) "
> >
> > I use prebuilt distros simply because I want to get the job done now,
> > not next week ! I also use windows occasionally, but mainly as a desktop
> > OS in the office because no-one's managed to port various applications I
> > do need for work to Linux (MSProject and Visio being two, and no,
> > MrProject and Dia do not cut the mustard here, especially for file
> > compatability !)
> >
> > P
> 
> you obviously have different 'needs' to people like us, I think you need
> windows, it suits you better.
> actually ever try mac, they might be more down your line !

'people like us' ? 
[if i've missed sarcasm - which wouldn't be that suprising - just ignore that]

---

Proinnsias has a good point here.

The 'linux evaluation' process for a company new to linux might well
be something along the lines of :

-if the cost of the time wasted in listening to the IT dept argue over
which linux distro to use even approaches the cost of new licences for
the current OS, lets stick with the current OS. (possible in a small
company)

OR

- we have to evaluate lots of different flavours of linux. It takes
time, and so it's a cost. Lets cut it down

- we just want something to do the job, do it well, and keep doing it
? Cost/benefit analysis as somebody said here before usually
eliminates the LFS type systems right off.

- now just evaluate the rest, and only the bigger players in that
group to make the job easier.

- even better. Why spend money evaluating distros when one can use the
"what are x using" method.

I've seen more of this than of actual evaluations. What clients,
customers, and 'the guy down the road' use will probably have a bigger
influence than we imagine.

it happens more than i might like, and it's usually decided in a very
short time. Perhaps even over a coffe with "the guy down the road".

so people like a pre-built os. 
It can still be slim. 
It can still be more than performant enough, and lots better than your
alternative suggestions.
It can stay online longer. 
It is a helluva lot cheaper. 
And it can be all be done by somebody with no previous linux/unix
experience after a relatively short learning curve. [i've seen systems
up in days, no linux previously ]
And people like the nice folk on this list will help out if there's a
problem. For free. And with incredible speed.

what's the problem with that ? Sure use SLACK or LFS or GENTOO or
similiar if you have the time, inclination and interest and you want
the speed and control.. But if you just want a fast, simple, cheap
_solution_ to a problem........

i think the debians and commercials will win there