MEPIS, you were great... till I discovered Ubuntu.
Posts: 48
This is NOT to be mean to MEPIS. I love MEPIS, and, being my first Linux OS, would love to switch back. Here I present a comparison to help the MEPIS devs to make MEPIS better...
1. Hardware support
It's so cool - install and run. Unlike Ubuntu, MEPIS works with all my hardware right off the bat. But so does Ubuntu. My computer's a tough cookie too. With a Linksys WMP54GS wireless card, and an almost unkown Integrated Intel video card, making an OS that runs on my machine without configuring is quite the challenge. Ubuntu is just as nice, however. All I had to do was install ndiswrapper (which was easy to install by the way; there were guides online, plus it was on the CD, just needed to be apt-get-ed) and tell ndiswrapper where the drivers were. MEPIS gets a point here.
2. Configurable
Ubuntu is nice because they don't have any really fancy configurations, so you can use it as a base easily, but it still is enough to provide the average user what he needs to get rolling. MEPIS, however, has some issues in that area. I don't know what went wrong, but I've had to reinstall MEPIS twice because I did too much with it. MEPIS needs to try to do less in the way of custom kernels, etc, and try to be a bit more standard. I find that when I try to compile any source from any project, it always gives me an error. Ubuntu doesn't. Ubuntu gets a point here.
3. Installation
What would you rather download: one or two CDs? I'd pick one right off! Plus, with Live CD and Install CD merged into one with a really nice graphical installer. But Ubuntu is catching up. Already they have an alpha version out that can install Linux on the Live CD. I point out that it is alpha, however, so extremely unstable. MEPIS gets a point here.
4. Look-and-feel
Normally I'm the type of person who loves the flashy themes, such as Royale XP by Noah. The glass shine, the bubbly look, etc. (EDIT: This theme is no longer available due to copyright issues.) MEPIS provided plenty of themes, though not many nice ones. Ubuntu's theme isn't as nice, but it still apealed to me, which is interesting, because it's main color is brown. Yea. That's what I said. Brown. But it's a light brown, with yellow-to-brown (and vise-versa) gradients here and there. Not to mention light colors just where it needs to be. Somehow a dull light brown theme caught me. Not to mention a tiny bit easier on the eyes. Ubuntu barely wins a point, but more because of personal opinion.
5. Ease of use
This is a broad catagory that can range from hardware to installation to software, but I'll stick with "environment" ease of use. For instance, Ubuntu 6.06 provides a nifty Network Monitor that really hits the spot for me. Plus with a central location for all my settings, Ubuntu does it well. MEPIS isn't far behind. They have plenty of apps pre-installed that I use often. MEPIS isn't as central with configuration as usual (it has some sort of custom control center with network and installation settings) but it really isn't that bad. Plus, KDE is much more friendly to the user converting from Windows. Gnome isn't as great, but it still isn't too bad. Ubuntu has some new features to make things easier, but MEPIS already has this. MEPIS wins a point here.
6. Support
It's a good thing that MEPIS is redesigning their website: their forum support is a bit harder then Ubuntu's. Not to mention that Ubuntu has tons of pre-done docs and lists that help a user in many many spots. MEPIS' docs are sometimes outdated, and are too few. Ubuntu's website is super easy to navigate. Just use the tabs at the top to get around. Plus, I like Ubuntu's website better just for its look... it's a bit more... professional. Plus, if you need help, the Help section in Gnome is much better then KDE. You may disagree with me on this one, but go ahead, open up Help from the KDE Menu and try to use the Search function. It doesn't work. Ubuntu wins a point here.
7. Up-to-date
Ubuntu, hands down. Ubuntu comes with an Update program that updates packages smoothly to the latest version. Plus, Ubuntu is up-to-date to start. In MEPIS, you download the latest version and you are going to have to update. Ubuntu gets a point here.
Like I always say to my IM and forum buddies: To beat your competition, you have to first equal, then better them. I've read about MEPIS' new switch to Ubuntu's kernel, and that will hopefully help! Only time will tell...
Funny...
Posts: 85
I tried Ubuntu (actually Kubuntu) back in December, and I hated it. Wiped it off my hard drive in under 12 hours. Mepis is, in my experience, a far better distro.
Yeah
Posts: 1504
The kubuntu version sucks, but there's nothing wrong with gnome-ubuntu or xubuntu. The secret to kde in ubuntu is to just install kde,not kubuntu-desktop, then you'll end up with a normal kde install with out the screwed up ubuntu tweaks. If i want a desktop other than gnome,i always do a server install and just apt-get the desktop i want to use like xfce4,fluxbox,icewm,kde,blackbox,wm...When you do it like that you only get what you select so your setup is really trim, than just add what you want from there. My main desktop is xfce4(aka xubuntu) the whole install comes out to about 500mb, than i add the stuff i like, i use both kde and gnome apps as xfce4 can handle both.
Re: MEPIS, you were great... till I discovered Ubuntu.
Posts: 180
This is NOT to be mean to MEPIS. I love MEPIS, and, being my first Linux OS, would love to switch back. Here I present a comparison to help the MEPIS devs to make MEPIS better...1. Hardware support
It's so cool - install and run. Unlike Ubuntu, MEPIS works with all my hardware right off the bat. But so does Ubuntu. My computer's a tough cookie too. With a Linksys WMP54GS wireless card, and an almost unkown Integrated Intel video card, making an OS that runs on my machine without configuring is quite the challenge. Ubuntu is just as nice, however. All I had to do was install ndiswrapper (which was easy to install by the way; there were guides online, plus it was on the CD, just needed to be apt-get-ed) and tell ndiswrapper where the drivers were. MEPIS gets a point here.2. Configurable
Ubuntu is nice because they don't have any really fancy configurations, so you can use it as a base easily, but it still is enough to provide the average user what he needs to get rolling. MEPIS, however, has some issues in that area. I don't know what went wrong, but I've had to reinstall MEPIS twice because I did too much with it. MEPIS needs to try to do less in the way of custom kernels, etc, and try to be a bit more standard. I find that when I try to compile any source from any project, it always gives me an error. Ubuntu doesn't. Ubuntu gets a point here.3. Installation
What would you rather download: one or two CDs? I'd pick one right off! Plus, with Live CD and Install CD merged into one with a really nice graphical installer. But Ubuntu is catching up. Already they have an alpha version out that can install Linux on the Live CD. I point out that it is alpha, however, so extremely unstable. MEPIS gets a point here.4. Look-and-feel
Normally I'm the type of person who loves the flashy themes, such as Royale XP by Noah. The glass shine, the bubbly look, etc. (EDIT: This theme is no longer available due to copyright issues.) MEPIS provided plenty of themes, though not many nice ones. Ubuntu's theme isn't as nice, but it still apealed to me, which is interesting, because it's main color is brown. Yea. That's what I said. Brown. But it's a light brown, with yellow-to-brown (and vise-versa) gradients here and there. Not to mention light colors just where it needs to be. Somehow a dull light brown theme caught me. Not to mention a tiny bit easier on the eyes. Ubuntu barely wins a point, but more because of personal opinion.5. Ease of use
This is a broad catagory that can range from hardware to installation to software, but I'll stick with "environment" ease of use. For instance, Ubuntu 6.06 provides a nifty Network Monitor that really hits the spot for me. Plus with a central location for all my settings, Ubuntu does it well. MEPIS isn't far behind. They have plenty of apps pre-installed that I use often. MEPIS isn't as central with configuration as usual (it has some sort of custom control center with network and installation settings) but it really isn't that bad. Plus, KDE is much more friendly to the user converting from Windows. Gnome isn't as great, but it still isn't too bad. Ubuntu has some new features to make things easier, but MEPIS already has this. MEPIS wins a point here.6. Support
It's a good thing that MEPIS is redesigning their website: their forum support is a bit harder then Ubuntu's. Not to mention that Ubuntu has tons of pre-done docs and lists that help a user in many many spots. MEPIS' docs are sometimes outdated, and are too few. Ubuntu's website is super easy to navigate. Just use the tabs at the top to get around. Plus, I like Ubuntu's website better just for its look... it's a bit more... professional. Plus, if you need help, the Help section in Gnome is much better then KDE. You may disagree with me on this one, but go ahead, open up Help from the KDE Menu and try to use the Search function. It doesn't work. Ubuntu wins a point here.7. Up-to-date
Ubuntu, hands down. Ubuntu comes with an Update program that updates packages smoothly to the latest version. Plus, Ubuntu is up-to-date to start. In MEPIS, you download the latest version and you are going to have to update. Ubuntu gets a point here.Like I always say to my IM and forum buddies: To beat your competition, you have to first equal, then better them. I've read about MEPIS' new switch to Ubuntu's kernel, and that will hopefully help! Only time will tell...
I enjoyed your interesting and informative post and am glad you are so happy, however, I feel a need to vote for Mepis.
When I tried Ubuntu, I was unable to 'connect' with my dial-up modem.
After 3 months of trying, with a lot of help from several good people (including the folks at linmodems.org) I never, ever, got online.
With Mepis 3.3.2 it took me all of about 60 seconds and I was 'surfin'.
I love all the romance and good intentions that come with Ubuntu but, for it to have MASS appeal, it would seem to me that it SHOULD be dial-up friendly because there are infinitly more people who can afford $9.95 for dail-up than there are who can afford $30.00 - $50.00 for a high speed connection.
Unfortunately however, I have to add that my new Mepis 3.4.3 will not let me connect with the same computer and the same dial-up modem.
Kind regards.
Lewis.
****
Re: MEPIS, you were great... till I discovered Ubuntu.
Posts: 38
I have used kubuntu for 6 months now, first the breezy and then dapper, dapper is a little better then the breezy was. But when someone told me that mepis was changing to ubuntu sources i tryed it out.
1. Hardware support
Kubuntu dapper worked correct on my laptop acer aspire 3633lcm, my wireless pcmcia was found and needed a tweak in etc/network/interface before i could start using it. The network mananger they use gives everytime a error if i try to set it to dhcp. Manualy was only solution.
Mepis 6 alpha worked also with everything and needed to tweak also my pcmcia card before it worked. needed to tweak the etc/Wireless/RT2500STA/RT2500STA.dat
2. Configurable
Because i used kubuntu and both are kde it's the same, only thing i like is the mepis config thats something i missing in kubuntu its a realy cool config app.
3. Installation
I liked the way mepis installed from the livecd, they livecd is also faster then kubuntu use. Installation was way more slick then kubuntu does. the kubuntu livecd installer is still in pre alpha and to buggy.
4. Look-and-feel
Because i used the kde version its the same. Only minor things are better done in mepis.
5. Ease of use
The network manager from kubuntu doesn't worked that good i have to manualy edit to get wep an wpa to work, they have a network-manager that needs installing that is better but doesn't work for everyone atm. It has way more options to. Mepis i didn't try yet but as i can see in mepis config it only use wep atm.
Mepis installed lots of appz to much to my feelings , kubuntu is filtering the appz more. It only install's the most used appz. But i can always uninstall the appz i don't need.
6. Support
The ubununtu / kubuntu forums looking more slick then the mepis forums. Kubuntu forums need a retouch also but ubuntu forums are very well done and there is a great community. Kubutnu forums doesn't look as good as ubuntu its still a better read then mepis forums.
Mepis community i don't know yet because i'm just started to use mepis
But the site needs major upgrade to make it more atractive 
.
7. Up-to-date
Ubuntu/kubuntu has a update tool in system tray. Mepis does in with some cli work. Its a minor difference and both need update's after install.
I like the mepis 6 alpha more then kubuntu atm, maybe because the histrory of mepis with kde. Kubuntu seems to get lesser support then ubunutu. I think mepis could get more kubuntu users if there site was better looking. I will decide what i going to use after both go live, but the way it looks now Mepis will be the winner, it's simply more polished then kubuntu.
Can you realy compare ubuntu (gnome) with mepis (kde)? I think its fair if you compare both kde versions.
Oh well,
Posts: 299
I guess not everything makes sense in linux world. The strange and undeserved popularity of Ubuntu and reiserfs are two things I will never understand.
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Bob L Hunter
bicycle tourist, bookworm, linux newbie
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Here is a great article
Posts: 299
Here is a great article called "breaking up with my distro." It is meant as comedy but it is also fairly accurate.
http://www.netsyndrome.net/breakingdistro.php
He pokes fun at several linux distros (suse, debian, slackware, mandriva, gentoo, ubuntu, etc) and compares them to girlfriends he has broken up with. For ubuntu he says,
You, you're something special. You were excellent when I introduced you to mom and dad. I can't believe how well you work with all my friends, you're always willing to just get up and go! I've never known a girl so willing to do just what I wanted... It's just... I can't do anything with you. It feels like you completely lack the ability to MAKE anything happen. Sometimes it feels like you're trying so hard to fulfill everyone's needs that you can't cover mine. I need more life, I need to do more.
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Bob L Hunter
bicycle tourist, bookworm, linux newbie
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Ubuntu was almost something until I discovered MEPIS
Posts: 23
Good if Ubuntu works for you. To me and my hardware it doesn't. Plus the forum (in my country) seems to be full of "friendly" people and about a million pages of questions about why basic things that should work out of box doesn't work. Fortunately there is MEPIS. Yes, I'm a beginner.
Mepis
Posts: 534
After I finally asked you out, we really hit it off. You have brains, maturity, stability. We can really talk. Sometimes, I can't believe how long we've been together already. Being with you is easy. There are so many things we can do together.
Modem Compatibility in Linux
Posts: 2
Please contact me Lewis. I am getting very worried that no one wants to talk about the 800lb white gorilla with the unicorn horn sitting in the front room.
This is: is Linux a total non-entity concerning connectivity via ordinary modem? I have tried five modems on Ubuntu and Mepis4 with no luck in detection. I could be expecting to much from the "wizard". How did you get connected (if ever)?
Yes I know about Winmodem not being a "real modem" (it is to windoz izint it?). I would be happy to pay a few bucks for a driver and modem if guaranteed to work. No, I do not want to pay outrageous prices for rural DSL on a one yr contract like a cell phone.
I think 20-25% of Linux users might still be in dial-up, what do you think? They must use Windows to get on-line (ha ha joke).
Please fill me in on any advice you may have for this problem.
Bill C
Indiana Ruralia
RE:Funny
Posts: 519
I tried Ubuntu (actually Kubuntu) back in December, and I hated it. Wiped it off my hard drive in under 12 hours. Mepis is, in my experience, a far better distro.
I agree. It took less than 12 hours.
I'm glad I didn't stay with GNOME, seeing how de Icaza has put the curse of MS on it. One can't be sure how much of GNOME is tainted with de Icaza's penchant for using MS IP, like he did with MONO.
--
GreyGeek
hmmm
Posts: 1504
As always you should use what works for you. I use both Mepis-Ubuntu and Ubuntu(Gnome and Xubuntu). I use Xubuntu most of the time as i can do much more with the desktop look than i can with kde or gnome, the new xfce4 is fantastic. But if you like ubuntu and kde, then your going to love the new mepis-ubuntu, everything under the fancy gui is set up just like ubuntu is, all the under pinnings are exactly the same. I started using ubuntu to get use to it for when Mepis-ubuntu became available for everyone. I just installed late last night and it is alot better and faster than all the previous versions of mepis, There are some things that carry over from kubuntu(screwed up konqueror) but all that is easily fixed, everything else has that ubuntu stable feel to it. So before you jump ship take some time and try the the mepis-ubuntu alpha, you might find that is exactly what you really want.