Linux distribution for 3d and graphics?

[acc24ex]

So far, I noticed chakra disto being mentioned as the fastest opengl and 3d performer
http://chakra-linux.org/

Ubuntu is the most popular one, or it seems so.. still what to start with?

So anyone have recomendations on which distro to use regarding graphics and 3d, and of course it has to be also very user friendly.. we're trying to convert a new studio/office to free open source - or at least die trying ..

[matej]

Looks neat, I might try it myself (never been on KDE)

I don't think which distro you use is important, as long as there is drivers support for your hardware and it' doesn't have a bloated interface that sucks your resources. I was using Ubuntu for something like four years, but after the awful experience with 11.04 and that Unity interface thing, I moved on to Linux Mint (which is user friendly) on good ol' Gnome 2.

If you are serious about moving production, then you'll need someone who knows his way around Linux anyway, and some time to test a few distros (and desktop environments). There's lot to pick from and this can be both a blessing and a curse. (but mostly a blessing )

[acc24ex]

I'm loving Linux Mint -
Is there a way to save installed applications on a Live USB version, each time I restar it looses installed apps and settings like wallpaper ?

[matej]

Well, the program you used to create the live USB version should have an option to allocate space for persistent storage.

Mint should have the usb creator package that comes in Ubuntu - but to use that you need an already running Mint. There are other software for Windows, like this one.

[acc24ex]

I did use that one before, but not now, I'll try one with that then..

I used this http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/ - but LiLi looks way more advanced

Actually now I know what I want in a distro - user friendly (Linux Mint loaded absolutely everything I threw at it and you can work on it immediately)

It HAS to have a "App store" type of software instalation which Mint has - I think that is the only way for linuxes to become more popular, just make it user friendly like android - so you never have to open up terminal - i learned linux a few times, and forgot most of the commands - it is much easier to use graphical interface on everything..

And the ability to install it on a USB and install software onto it ..
is there a distro with even more app packages - for instance - I couldn't get Teamviewer to install, and there are a few more specific apps that are half commercial half free

.. and can you please give me quick tips on how to install octane onto it

And thanks for the info it was pretty useful

- tried the persistance - works! / only thing now, I cannot install some apps from software manager, skype doesnt want to install and wine and googleearth? Damnit!

[matej]

.. and can you please give me quick tips on how to install octane onto it

You don't need to install Octane, just download & unpack the zip and run the executable. Of course you have to install the nvidia drivers and CUDA toolkit before that. Installing the drivers is a bit annoying. You will have to use the console - because it wont start if the display manager is running. First jump to a tty with Ctrl+Alt+F5, login and shut down the display manager:

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sudo /etc/init.d/gdm3 stop 

Then browse to the folder where you downloaded the driver installer file and run it:

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sudo ./<filename>

Answer continue, overwrite, do your stuff goddammit!! , to all possible questions the driver installer will pop. At the end it should tell you the drivers were successfully installed. Restart the display manager with:

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sudo /etc/init.d/gdm3 start

and return into graphic mode with Ctrl+Alt+F7. The drivers should work when you login again, or do a reboot.

The toolkit is easier to install; just browse where you downloaded the file and run it as admin from the console. Only then you can successfully run the octane executable.

Hope this will help