Kwan Lowe wrote:
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.
I'd definitely recommend Fedora Core for computer science students. It has a
boatload of development packages (as do the others, but in FC they are extremely
easy to install). Kdevelop and Eclipse are available, as are all the standard tools.
In addition, if you're in CS then you likely have a raft of mathematics classes to
take including calculus, statistics, etc.. FC has the GNUPlot, Octave, R, and Maxima
packages which I've found incredibly useful when tutoring these subjects. The
packages are available for Ubuntu, but not in the default Synaptic "Mathematics"
section (as of Ubuntu 6.0.6).
When it comes to package availability Debian, Ubuntu and Fedora Core are
in a virtual dead heat in the "who has the most packages competition"
And just to clarify, I thought I'd point that all of the above packages
*are* available in the Ubuntu repository.
In the case of Fedora vs. Ubuntu it comes down to personal preferences.
Software isn't an issue with either one (that I've seen so far).
There are always a few exceptions. I've found a few packages that were
in Fedora (or packaged for Fedora) that weren't for Ubuntu and vice-versa.
Both Fedora and Ubuntu (thanks to Debian) have *huge* repos (the biggest
out there).
So it's not so much about software, it's about personal preference.
But again, I'm all for learning as much as possible (assuming you work
in, or want to work in the IT field).
Sorry for the late response, I've been away for a few days. And I just
had to get my $.02 in. ;-)
--
Scott
www.angrykeyboarder.com
© 2006 angrykeyboarder™ & Elmer Fudd. All Wights Wesewved
