[NTLUG:Discuss] Whats the most Vanilla Linux Distro...if there is such a thing

[Lance Simmons]

* NTLUG <ntlug at nfri.com> [030911 13:32]:
> I am looking for suggestions on a linux distro that isn't "tainted" by
> the people making it.
> 
> When I say tainted...with RedHat, they tinker with everything so in
> many cases if you get something on the internet, you are going to run
> into some problems installing it.  I would like to find a distro that
> doesn't have that kinda of problem.

Many packages (.debs) in the Debian distribution are maintained by the
same people who write the code.  That pretty well guarantees that the
packages aren't tainted.  There are currently almost 9,000 packages in
Debian, but there are also many developers who package their programs as
.debs even though their program isn't yet part of the distribution.

When a program you find on the Internet isn't available in the Debian
distribution, and the developer hasn't made .debs available, it is often
possible to convert their rpm files into .debs using a utility named
alien.

-- 
Lance Simmons