“VectorLinux SOHO 5.1.1 Deluxe is a superb Linux distribution in my book. While I don’t think it’s geared toward the masses in a way that SUSE Linux, Mandriva, or Linspire might be, I do feel it has something to offer Linux users everywhere. It’s easy enough to install for someone who at least has a basic understanding of Linux, has a robust compliment of applications, performs very well, and is as stable as it’s parent distribution, Slackware, from what I’ve seen during the review.”
Adam, could of done a better job at writing this review on Vector Linux SOHO 5.1.1 Deluxe. Such as not just focusing on a single workstation installation but also how the distribution compares with other Linux distribution in a cross platform shared LAN. After all it’s listed as “SOHO” not “Personal”
I also can tell Adam liked the distribution but he should try to stay professional with out saying things like “but you gotta give props where props are due I suppose”.
Another point is that even though my brother and I are artists I was confused by Adam’s comment comparing “Enlightenment DR17” desktop UI developement to that of ILM (Industrial Light & Magic). I can’t see how the company either by the effects work they do or the tools they use relates to desktops such as Enlightenment DR17. I know each person has their own personal preference but large businesses such as ILM want to make it easy for their employees to use the tools to do their jobs. Desktops such as KDE that resemble Windows or Gnome which resembles OSX are more beneficial than eye candy alone.
To help educate those not familiar with ILM, the company doesn’t use Vector Linux but does use Linux in the pipeline along with other OS. They are in the process of migrating Linux systems from Red Hat over to Novell so as to meet their business requirements. Novell is a company that offers business solutions like Red Hat and can compete with Microsoft. Both Novell and Red Hat unlike Debian and Slackware distributions use “.rpm” package managers which support the highend commercial software ILM uses (ie: Maya, XSI, etc).
Edited 2006-02-14 04:36
Features
*
* Linux kernel
Not so strange since it is a Linux distro.
The author’s enthusiasm is what convinced me to download this distro and try it. Have only used it a few hours, so I can’t tell if it will be reliable as Debian Sarge. I do see that it is more responsive on my four year old laptop. Vector is a very complete desktop, and I’m impressed. While I won’t remove Debian on my Desktop Computer, I may have a “new” favorite for my laptop. Time will tell, but it’s been very impressive already. It seems very polished.
Just installed it for someone on an old AMD K6 550. 512 memory. It does work on this, even with KDE, unlike most other packaged distros tried. With xfce its positively snappy. Not sure about OO, which takes the usual age to load. However, by comparison, Mandriva, even with Windowmaker is so slow as to be unusable.
You can probably get the same results by installing Slackware from scratch and being selective about the packages. Debian from scratch, either with Windowmaker, OpenBox or fvwm or enlightenment will probably be equally speedy. But this one, unlike that, is pretty much boot and run as the review says.
Lilo screwed up on my install, and I had to boot from the CD and edit lilo.conf. It seemed to have inserted a line to the effect ‘initrd=’, with no value in it. This might cause some to have a sense of humour failure, but once fixed, it booted fine.
Vector is one of the more interesting distros around if you are looking for a simple install, and with the exception of the lilo problem, one that just goes in and works with no configuration required. I would expect the non-Soho version to be worth trying too, and with a wider range of hardware. The Deluxe edition, at $30, with E17 prepackaged, is also interesting.
Because it is based on slackware, which means : light, fast to install, not to hard to configure.
What a pity other great name doesn’t understand this
Has anyone ever seen an article on this web site that stated a linux distribution was terrible? So they’re all good? Great? Whatever?
Whenever I have a problem with a linux distro a kind forum user always suggests that I “try distro X”. There are thousands of distros., but they all can’t be that good.
I would like to hear from all of you which distros to avoid. Assuming the distro will be used as a desktop OS.
If you don’t want to “tinker” with a distro, avoid the “latest and greatest” and stay with the Debian, Suse,and Ubuntu. The sheer number of distros are viewed as a “bad thing” by some, but the innovation that comes from this is what is giving the world such a great and versatile “hobby OS”. Stay with your beloved Windows if you’re happy there. From your previous comments,you have had better sucess with it than I have. The fact that MS is advertising “MS versus Linux” everywhere is a testament to the amazing work of the programmers in free software. In a perverted way MS is the best friend that GNU/Linux has had. Their FUD campaign has raised awareness of Linux. The news about companies preparing for the next “malware threat” is making people look at alternetive OS’es. Sorry to get off subject, but your negative comments are a bit much. However; you sure make GNU/Linux look good! The more detractors; the more people will look at Linux just to see what you and others are talking about; KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!
You said: “The fact that MS is advertising “MS versus Linux” everywhere is a testament to the amazing work of the programmers in free software”
No, it is biased websites just like this one and slashdot that have a finacial interest in not only the OS wars (which MS won 10 years ago) and the flame wars that result.
Just doin’ my part…just like you…