New Debian linux enthusiast

[david]

Hi Sparky users,

I am a man looking for a stable Debian-based linux distribution.   I am
an engineer.   I am a C and C++ programmer.   Because numerical computa-
tion requires me to use matlab in my work, I also use octave quite heavily.

I am an intermediate linux user.  I am a Debian fan.   I downloaded Debian
Stretch, burned it onto LiveDVD.   Then I read two reviews of Debian Stretch,
and decided getting it to run would probably be too hard for me.

I installed a linux distribution onto my hard drive for the first time
this summer.   It is NeptuneOS release of June 10, 2017 (Neptune-Plasma5-20170610.iso), another Debian distribution.   In the past I had run other KDE-Plasma distro's that were beta.   I have had enough of beta distro's for now.  I only want something that works and is stable.

My computer is a quad core AMD x-64 bit machine with 8GB RAM.
(model name      : AMD A8-5600K APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics )

David

[xendistar]

Well I can recommend both Spark Linux (I am currently running the version 5 rolling release XFCE version) and I also run SolydXK (which is based on the stable branch of Debian with either KDE or XFCE desktops) both are solid and stable and have a good community support when you need it. Been a Debian man for many years just like the simplicity but prefer to run Debian based distro  so a few of the rough edges are sanded off (but not a *buntu clone or Mint derived distro).

[paxmark1]

I don't know if the Sparky  Stable version uses calmares installer or not.  You  can try it.  I am sure you can find them on the sparky pages.

For a straight Debian install, they do not advertise it much, but there is a Debian stable  mini iso that HAS the non-free components.  Debian 9 9.1

http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/unofficial/non-free/cd-including-firmware/9.1.0+nonfree/

It simplifies the install immensely, especially if you need to do it via wireless.  If you can , I always try to install via ethernet, sometimes you can't.

  I really have gotten to like lvm for disk storage setup, worked with a debian testing computer that I have parked at Debian Stable. Read up, it gives you so much more flexibility for the future.   I also have lvm set up on a Sparky install that is on an ancient Atom - EEE 901a. 

The other main thing I consider for installs is uefi or older standard bios.  If this is your first time to need to use UEFI, read up on it first.   peace out.

[bardo]

hello david,

i am totally with you and your description of the problem to select a distro.
And i totally agree with your desire to get to debian stable. GOOD CHOICE.
I'd like to confirm from my own experience: Sparky or SolydXK are doing a good job at setting up such a system with reasonable choices, easing the task quite a bit.
What has been very helpful to me, while coming from Windooze, was to take steps:

• First, i did "play around" inside virtualbox, while still on Win
• Next, i moved to a Distro with a lot of support thanks to its user base and friendlyness
• That is where i got comfortable with the inner workings, got to pick my favorite desktop, packaging tool, terminal, filesystem, and more
• finally, i came back to what looked like the best choice from the very beginning (debian), but this time, the learning looked less frightening as i got accustomed to most of linux in the previous step.
• The whole journey took several years, but was worth it: More freedom, more powerful tools and options, i felt, like having reached the same level of comfort, i was used to on Win after... about three years

But this is not meant to give you shivers, more like: be realistic and plan ahead, proceed and enjoy. It is a wonderful ride!
:-)