I've been using mepis linux for a few weeks now. Its been a toss up between ubuntu or mepis or kanotix.
Here is why I am using mepis:
1) I wanted a debian based distro - this makes installing apps easier
2) I am used to kde (ubuntu is gnome based) Gnome has made huge strides in the past 2 years and I am tempted to switch soon.
3) I want a one iso distro.
These days it makes no sense to download 5 ISO files - who knows what you are going to use from them... Installing a base install and then upgrading via the internet makes a lot of sense and is actually faster and less hastle.
The amazing thing about mepis vs other distros is that by leveraging work done on kde and debian one person can put out a distro that rivals larger companies with dozens of developers (red hat, mandrake).
The reason I selected mephis over kanotix or knoppix is that it is more similar to the standard debian distro. It can use almost all the standard debian packages without breaking. kanotix is still my favorite livecd.
My only hesitation about mepis is that it is a one guy show. Support forums are a bit bare compared with ubuntu. Generally you can use the debian forums though.
I don't like that ubuntu doesn't install gcc, kde and some other apps that I consider core. That said I will probably switch over to ubuntu in the future - and perhaps pay for support. Work needs to be done in the core linux desktop apps (word processor etc) and a one person company won't be able to do that. Ubuntu has some of the best linux developers on staff. For a corporate server I would choose Redhat. Redhat above any other company is commited to open source and has developers working on core technologies - gcc, gnome, threading, and file systems.
Posted by Anthony at January 20, 2005 11:22 AM | TrackBack