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Based on the choices made by each distribution, each distribution has its relative merits which may make it more suitable for a specific task, hardware platform or user. For instance, some distributions have sophisticated install programs that are able to create a Partition or resize existing ones, automatically detect hardware and install appropriate device drivers, and provide a Graphical User Interface during installation to configure network settings, package selection, and user accounts which makes the process of installation fairly easy. Some distributions, notably Debian and Gentoo , include a large number of packages that can be readily installed for that particular distribution and this reduces the amount of effort required for initial configuration after installation. Some distributions include proprietary device drivers and the latest packages in an attempt to provide maximum compatibility with the newest hardware. This makes them a more suitable candidate for use on newer hardware and laptops. Whether a particular distribution opts to include the latest versions of available packages or decides to include only a more stable but older version is another important factor. The choice of a graphical user interface, included fonts, wallpapers, etc. also lend an individual identity to each distribution which may make it more or less appealing to an individual. Some distributions provide tools for users to run applications developed for other operating systems and this can be an important factor for users who are migrating from another platform. The choice of the Package Management System , system configuration utility and availability of high quality technical support are other important factors. Each distribution (or "distro" for short) also has its own philosophy which influences its development. This makes the particular distribution more suitable for a certain class of users than for others. Each distro therefore has formed its own micro-community inside the wider Linux community, and this community in turn influences the philosophy of the distro. For example, a distribution that comes with a strong philosophy which is generalised beyond software is Ubuntu (Read about Ubuntu (ideology) ). Slackware 's philosophy is about having only stable components, simple structure and not caring much about graphical interfaces. On the other hand Red Hat 's approach may be interpreted as focusing mostly on graphics and user-friendliness. Other distributions also have specific viewpoints which can be found on their websites. Many Linux distributions now provide a LiveCD version that allows the user to try out the distribution without making changes to his system. This is a good way to evaluate a distribution and in particular, its support for the intended hardware. A list of LiveCD s is available at FrozenTech's LiveCD list . In order to select a distribution that is most appropriate for a particular user, the user must first clearly state his intended uses of the system, the hardware on which the distribution will be installed, the extent of support required and as far as possible, the applications that will be used. The user should then visit the websites of several distributions and obtain LiveCD s to evaluate their suitability for his particular needs before making a final decision. A list of popular distributions is also available at DistroWatch which attempts to provide some measure of their popularity. Linux Distribution Chooser attempts to guide a user to a suitable choice of a distribution by asking several questions and offering suggestions based on the answers. At this time however, its awareness is limited to only a few distributions. The tables specifically do not include subjective viewpoints on the merits of each operating system. For this kind of information, please see Operating System Advocacy . To compare Linux distributions with other operating systems, please see Comparison Of Operating Systems . GENERAL Basic general information about the distributions: creator/producer, release date/latest version, cost/license etc. TECHNICAL Information on technical aspects of the distributions. FEATURES Information on features in the distributions. ARCHITECTURES SUPPORT |
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