Maxwell Render | Official public forum

Hello,

I'm about to embark into the world of Linux. I've read a bit about the various versions out there. I'd like to get recommendations from people acutally using Linux on a day to day basis. This is more for hardware/software development than a Windows alternative. There is a "test" one can take at www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/index.php that helps make the decision. It suggested for me:

Freespire
Linspire
Ubuntu
Mandriva
OpenSuSE
Kubuntu

Thanks...

i have tried Ubuntu and I really like it

Unfortunately, without autocad, I'm dependent of windows

I've had good experiences with Ubuntu (latest kernels don't run on my MB unfortunately). Kubuntu is imo easier if you're transitioning from Windows, but i also found KDE to be quite slow.

Note that if you want to develop for Linux, that rpm-based distros are still more popular for software distribution. Maxwell comes as rpm afaik.

Torrent yourself a LiveCD/DVD and see how that works out.

Thanks very much guys. I'm downloading a few of the versions and looking at them via the "LiveCD".

To be more specific, I'll be working with these small embedded systems like this: http://beagleboard.org/. I usually use embedded microcontrollers for projects and program them in assembly. These larger systems favor Linux. I'm taking your suggestion Adrian and looking at the RPM systems as well

Buy a Mandriva USB Key, you wont regret that!!
You have Accces to your Windows NTFS Drives

Thanks for the suggestion. I loaded Ubuntu on a drive and have been giving that a go. I installs perfectly, however when I try and update the driver to a Nvidia Quadro it messes up.

I tried loading Linspire but it hung. I then tried Mandriva but it kept asking for a login and password, neither of which I had set or know...