Best Linux dristro. for 2D ?

[elvis]

if you're an experienced linux user... actuall scrap that, you wouldn't be asking the question.

if you are new to linux, i whole-heartedly recommend mandrake linux. the latest version (9.1) is quite user friendly, and includes a lot of custom wizards developed my mandrakesoft for easily configuring the things that linux is known to be not so friendly with.

once installed, grab the latest radeon drivers for linux from ati.com, and install them for speedy 2D x-windows usage.

the best 2D editing tool under linux is of course the GIMP. the foomatic scripting, there's very little you can't do with the GIMP. quite amazing considering it's completely free! :)

there are also windows and mac versions of the GIMP, if you want to test it out without making the jump to linux.

[Limbus]

Some people say, you should choose the Linux Distro that most of your friends are using ;) . I guess this isnt a bad choice.

Both Mandrake and SuSE are very beginner-friendly and you get the system installed and up and running in no time.

A lot of pros swear on Debian (www.debian.org) because of the better overall savety and the best packet manager.

If you want to just take a look, without installin anything, Knoppix (http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html) is the way to go. Its a full blown Linux installation which boots and runs from a single CD whitout touching the HD. Its Great for Troubleshooting too. :thumbsup:

And if you realy want to learn something about Linux and all the stuff that happens "under the hood" you might take a peek at Linux From Scratch (http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/).

Besides Gimp there is also CinePaint (formerly known as FilmGimp). Its a paint package for Movies.

Florian

[Matt]

I just downloaded the Knoppix on Live-CD and it's pretty cool.

It worked fine on an older computer, but it couldn't setup correctly on my nForce-based system. The audio volume was extremely low while playing any media, and I couldn't set up the ethernet.

I'm sure with a full version of Knoppix it's easily possible, but most big changes require you to restart your session which = you lose all your changed settings since it's on a CD only. Heh.

[Limbus]

You can save your setting on a disc or usb stick. Look in the Knoppix config menu.

Florian

[Matt]

Or I could just install a real distro instead of using a live-cd? Heh.

[elvis]

Originally posted by Matt
it couldn't setup correctly on my nForce-based system.
you need to download and install the latest nforce drivers for linux from nvidia's website.

these are closed-source drivers, and as such are not part of the open-source linux kernel. open-source drivers are being developed, but you can imagine the process is quite long and difficult as documentation and code is scare for the product.

[elvis]

mandrake, redhat and SUSE binaries (in RPM format) for nforce drivers are available here:
http://www.nvidia.com/view.asp?IO=linux_nforce_1.0-0261

there are also TARball installers for other distributions. make sure if you are using the RPM versions you have the correct distribution and kernel version!

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