Free distros for new users

Kia ora koutou

I've tried a few more distros since Jan. I've been working my way
through the handful of distros endorsed by the FSF, to see if any of
them are usable as a day-to-day desktop OS. some of them are pretty
much useless, or at least so raw that they only usable by confident
GNU/Linux geeks:
http://tinyurl.com/bp3affg

Trisquel is the pick of the bunch so far. I've had a few minor niggles
with it on my netbook, but I'm looking forward to testing it on my
desktop when I get home.

I've also been looking into distros which are built around the
Enlightenment desktop. The only one I've actually tried so far is
Bodhi, which I see as more of a proof-of-concept distro than a
production one at this stage. I do like what I've seen of
Enlightenment so far though, it's leaner than XFCE (which was already
starting to bloat the last time I tried it as well as being ugly and
confusing), and gives LXDE a run for its money in performance and
stability, as well as being prettier than the LXDE distros I've tried
(Peppermint, Lubuntu, Triquel-Mini). Again, I'm looking forward to
trying it out on the desktop.

I feel some hesitation to bring this topic up again. I think that's an
undesirable chilling effect of the original discussion being framed as
a "flamewar". My posts on the subject may not have been "non-violent"
enough for Alex' needs, but I feel I made more effort than some to
maintain a neutral tone, and to back up my arguments.

Alex, I accept that "unethical" is a judgement, that's why I qualified
it by inserting the words "I believe" immediately before it, rather
than stating it as a self-evident fact. Also, I believe I stated my
needs in the email that started the whole discussion. I need Ubuntu to
regain my trust by owning the trademarks to their own name, making an
effort to be more responsive to their developer and user community,
and dealing with the UbuntuOne and Amazon-lens issues (I went into
detail in later emails about how I felt those needs would best be
met). Failing that, I need a new GNU/Linux distro to replace Ubuntu.

He mihi nui
Strypey

--
Danyl Strype
Community Developer
Disintermedia.net.nz/strype

"Geeks are those who partake in our culture."
- .ISOcrates

"Uncomfortable alliances are not just necessary; they reflect and
speak to the tremendous possibility of our political moment."
- Harmony Goldberg and Joshua Kahn Russell
http://www.nationofchange.org/new-radical-alliances-new-era-1337004193

"Both Marxists and Chicago-school libertarian economists can agree
that free software is the best model."
- Keith C Curtis
http://keithcu.com/wordpress/?page_id=407

_______________________________________________
DunLUG mailing list
[email protected]
http://lists.ethernal.org/listinfo/dunlug
DunLUG Wiki - http://dunlug.kallisti.net.nz/