Antigua Web Solutions Blog

I set this blog up to write about linux, among other things, and I haven’t posted anything about linux yet! So let me start by explaining which distro I currently use and why.

After going through many different distros, mostly based on Red Hat, I came across Sabayon! It’s based on Gentoo, which I always meant to try but never quite had the courage to install! From their website -

“Home Computing to the Next Level
« Get rid of Microsoft Windows. Install the Sabayon Linux Operating System and unleash the full potential of your Computer. Sabayon Linux features the most advanced Industry Open Source technologies: no hassles.”

It comes either on one CD or as a whopping 5Gb download that can be burned to a DVD and installed. Both versions act as live cd’s so you can give it a test run without trashing your existing OS.

Not being a particularly patient person I opted for the CD version. It installed easily on both my desktop and laptop and I was on the internet almost before the intro music had finished. ALL my hardware was detected and worked no problem. The DVD version comes with all the software you will ever need but as I installed from the CD I had to install programs myself.

This is easy! Type ‘emerge –search xxx’ on the command line (or use Kurro if you prefer a GUI) and if the program is in the repository (and most are) it will come up with a list of programs available. Type emerge xxxx and it will install the program you selected plus any dependencies. It takes a while as all programs are compiled from source but it’s automatic so you can set it compiling and leave it overnight.

Want some eye candy to rival Vista? Sabayon comes with Beryl already installed. Rotating cubes, flaming windows, water effects, Beryl comes with an enormous number of options to configure. See a demo at You Tube- Sabayon Linux Beryl

There’s an active and friendly forum if you run into problems and upgrades are released regularly.

I love it. Give it a try and let me know how it goes!