Linux distro help

[Trimoor]

Anyone know of a good Linux distro to use for a dedecated MAME cab?
It should be small, fast, and easy to setup.

Thanks!

[whammoed]

Well, i use gentoo but i wouldn't say its fast and easy to set up.  However I was totally new to linux and managed...they have good docs.

[dweebs0r]

Gentoo is the best of the Linux distro IMHO but it's not an easy setup for the Linux noob.  It's my personal distro of choice though.

Try Yoper linux for a fast and easy to install distro.

[Trimoor]

I have someone to help me set it up, so that won't be much of a problem.

In my experience, Linux just has too many invisible installation stuff.
For example, I installed GIMP once.  It put it's files everywhere, cluttering the home directory.
What's worse is that I had no idea how to uninstall it.  Linux has no central 'add/remove programs' button like windoze.

Then there are the cryptic commands.  Nearly every distro has it's own set of cryptic configuration commands, making it extremely difficult for a newbie.
shutdown -h/now What the hell is that about?

Can gentoo easily be cut down to a minimal dedecated mame gui? Any idea how?

The above is mostly the ramblings of a confused person who hates windoze, but just can't figure out Linux.

Thanks!

[dweebs0r]

If you really want to figure out Linux, take an older computer, buy one on Ebay or whatever, install Gentoo and hack away.  You'll learn by doing.

In as so far as add/remove programs, with Gentoo it's as simple as issueing an emerge -C program-name to remove something.  If something was installed in your home directory, than you'll have to remove that manually but it's no worse than the remnants left in the Windows registry by a Windows install and it's much easier to ls -al your home dir and remove a .gimp directory than to manually search and remove bits scattered indiscrinantly throughout your registry.

My recommendation is to install Yoper, hack around for a few weeks/months/years and then install Gentoo when your fairly comfortable with the basics.

--Dweebs0r

[SirPoonga]

The "mame on a cd" CDs area good start too.  Check out knoppixmame and advanceCD.

[dweebs0r]

or just plain ole Knoppix for a taste of Linux.  Gentoo has some self booting game cds floating around as well with UT 2003, UT 2004, and Americas Army game demos.

--Dweebs