Linux Switching

[starscream]

Ubuntu,Simplymepis,gentoo are internet only Linux distros.You can install new software/kernel only if you have internet connection.Also it is hardto get debian softwares.As they are in .deb file format.For using RPM on debian distros you have convert thm using ALIEN command.
Many distros comes up with the single install CD that have
1)Networking/Server software
2)Office
3)Games
4)Mutimedia >>Audio>>video>>Graphics.
Most of the softwares in this categary are essential while i can point out 30% are optional<extra>
and thier is no space for Developers as it is not included as major package list from thier point of view.Many IDE's are not given with the linux distros.
Developer Packages comes up with most of linux distros are:-
1)Python
2)Tcl-tk
3)Apache
4)Perl
(Gcc is optional with most of distros)

This forces developer to downlaod the tools from their server.Process also takes so much time.On the other hand Mendrake,Red Hat Fedora distros packs in with all the developer goodies.So what makes sense downloading single ISO's from other distros,enjoying distros without developer softwares.

i can suggest digit these software
1)Kdevelop + Qt3 Designer
2)Anjuta
3)Eclipse
4)codeforge
It is true under Windows dominance, it is hard to get linux Software's if you dont have internet connection.So developers/programmers who dont have internet connection & can't get thier hands onto linux dev softwares CD's can quit with programming on linux envirement.But most of the computer users in india (say more than 50%) are not connected to internet.so getting most of the application for linux is not possible.On the windows side you can get developer softwares in most of magazines or from your friend.
atleast i m forced not to program for KDE/Gnome.

if such continues then definitely linux is going to be Broadband OS,What you think?

[ujjwal]

Well... whatever OS you use, you will always need a few extra software, whether development software or applications. True, if these are not provided by computer magazines, one has to generally download them from the internet. But thats one thing that all the LUGs (Linux User Groups) help in, if you have a LUG in your city, there is likely to be a kind fellow out there who has an unlimited internet connection, and will send the distro/software you need for the cost of shipping it. Magazines like Chip/Digit also provide linux software these days.

Further, most linux distro's ship with helluva lot of software (office suites, browsers, games, image editors and what not), making them ideal for those without internet connections.

Yes, as regards to development software, things like Redhat, Suse etc, being aimed at home users, dont even install gcc by default! But basic development packages are still provided as options. With something like KDE installed, you have IDE's with it too (KDevelop)

If you don't like the installation CD layout, try slackware, it provides a base linux system, X Windows, development packages, kernel source and Applications (console & X) on the first CD, with optional stuff like KDE & Gnome on the second. And yes, dev packages are installed by default. As linux packages are small and slackware ones can be found on www.linuxpackages.net , they are not hard to get.

[banned2wise]

For downloading, deb packages goto http://packages.debian.org/stable

[GNUrag]

hello starscream,
I dont believe your comments to be quite true. A developer who wants a particular tool for programming will always take pains to install the package. Only lurkers move away back to windows.

Debian DVD comes with 15000+ packages in a single disc. Plus extra DVD for sources.. You will find almost all packages that you'll ever need.