[amnorvend]

Ok, so I've got a G5 (single core 1.6 ghz) PowerMac at home that I want to mess around with installing linux or BSD on. I have three considerations:

1. It has to support my G5 very well.
2. It has to be something for me to learn on. It doesn't necessarily need to be something that's "easy to use." I want something that isn't too complicated to learn, but at the same time won't hold my hand through the entire thing.
3. It has to have good documentation.

Any suggestions?

[besson3c]

There isn't the same plethora of choices for running Linux on PPC hardware that there is for Intel/AMD hardware. If you have access to x86 hardware, this might be a better machine to learn on. Something like Fedora might be a good distro to choose for your needs.

[C.A.T.S. CEO]

I run Ubuntu Server 7.04 on a iBook G3, the support isn't bad. I don't know about a G5 tho. Download the Live CD and you can test it.

[amnorvend]

Originally Posted by besson3c 

There isn't the same plethora of choices for running Linux on PPC hardware that there is for Intel/AMD hardware. If you have access to x86 hardware, this might be a better machine to learn on. Something like Fedora might be a good distro to choose for your needs.

Good point. Maybe it would be a good idea for me to try out some virtualization software on my MacBook.

EDIT: One quick question: Is it really worth it to pay for virtualization software like Parallels or Fusion or will virtualbox or qemu work just as well?

[jamil5454]

Originally Posted by amnorvend 

Good point. Maybe it would be a good idea for me to try out some virtualization software on my MacBook.

EDIT: One quick question: Is it really worth it to pay for virtualization software like Parallels or Fusion or will virtualbox or qemu work just as well?

The best Unix for your G5 is OS X. If you want to mess around and learn more about administering Unix I'd install either Ubuntu or Fedora Core. I think Fedora Core has a ppc-64 version which will take advantage of your G5's 64-bit extensions.

If you want to play around with various operating systems, running them in QEMU on your MacBook would be the most optimal solution. Parallels and VMWare Fusion, while great pieces of software, cost $80 and IMO aren't worth it if you just want to play with various operating systems.

[amnorvend]

Eh, after toying around with Qemu, virtualbox, and fusion, I have to disagree. Fusion is MUCH, MUCH faster and more error free than either Qemu or virutalbox. Haven't tried out parallels though.