What do you think of Kali as a OS?

[Raavgo]

Hey guys,

as mentioned in the title what do you think of Kali as OS?
I've got Windows 8 on my Laptop for about 5 months now and I simply hate it so,
I want to rip that shit of the laptop and put a linux distro on it!
Because I'm a big fan of BT5 I thought about it as a OS but I soon realized it is not
stable enough (internet settings and driver problems).
But now with KALI the producers say it is also a good OS, so what do you think of
it as an OS?

have a nice day
Raavgo

[Kulverstukas]

All these "hacking" distros, like BackTrack or Kali are NOT built to be used for daily activities. It is built as a tool, not an OS to be used instead of your main OS.
Keep that in mind and be warned.

[proxx]

Just dont, you dont sound like an experienced linux user(otherwise you wouldnt ask)
Apart from the fact that working as root is just too dangerous for inexperienced ppl.

[Raavgo]

Just dont, you dont sound like an experienced linux user(otherwise you wouldnt ask)
Apart from the fact that working as root is just too dangerous for inexperienced ppl.

I understand so you mean I should keep using it in a Vitualbox until I am better in Linux?
and by the way do you know a good book for linux? (preferable a real book which I can actually buy)

All these "hacking" distros, like BackTrack or Kali are NOT built to be used for daily activities. It is built as a tool, not an OS to be used instead of your main OS.
Keep that in mind and be warned.

Alright I'll keep that in mind thanks

[Snayler]

I understand so you mean I should keep using it in a Vitualbox until I am better in Linux?

That would be the right thing to do, unless you have a spare computer where you can test things on, without being afraid of breaking anything.

[Raavgo]

That would be the right thing to do, unless you have a spare computer where you can test things on, without being afraid of breaking anything.

To be honest I got 2 spare Computer (of course they are old, about 4-8 years)

[proxx]

I understand so you mean I should keep using it in a Vitualbox until I am better in Linux?
and by the way do you know a good book for linux? (preferable a real book which I can actually buy)


Alright I'll keep that in mind thanks

No thats not what i mean.
I strongly encourage you to use linux but kali is just not suitable as a main OS.
Just make a dualboot for the time being with a proper distro.
Go to www.distrowatch.com and pick something you like.
Its about taste.
You could install any security tools you like and just get a feel for linux.
The only way to learn linux is to use it.
Books are good to read but will never compete with just getting your hands dirty.


4-8 years old
Linux will run on a 386 if you want.

[silenthunder]

I myself wouldn't recommend a dual boot.. I prefer live CDs and live USB, especially live USB. That way, it keeps everything off of your computer itself, and you can easily use someone elses computer if need be. So if someone were to confiscate your computer or laptop, nothing incriminating will be on there (assuming you've used it for illegal activities in this situation), it will all be on the flash drive or CD. And even then, they'll only find the OS.

[proxx]

Sacrifice all that speed and run windows native
Naaaahhh

When that happens to me ill sell my computers.
And get into gardening or something.

[kenjoe41]

@silenthunder, for now he is looking for a distro for casual use as he gets familiar with linux, and in any case he can add his own tools of liking for his hacking adventures. I say install a linux distro on another machine or dual boot so as to get the real feel of linux on bare metal then you can do a usb-live thingy for hacking adventures.

[Firo]

@OP i suggest this for a future linux distro https://www.archlinux.org/ . I mean i'd say just go ahead and start messing with it, but it can be very difficult at times. At the least it's good to know about, a little reading can't hurt :p.

[Lupus]

@OP i suggest this for a future linux distro https://www.archlinux.org/ . I mean i'd say just go ahead and start messing with it, but it can be very difficult at times. At the least it's good to know about, a little reading can't hurt :p.

OP, Archlinux is pretty hardcore.  I'm not saying don't use it, but do be prepared to want to throw your computer through a shredder.
. 
If you want a soft introduction to Linux with very easy install/uninstall, try Wubi.  It's an installer for Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Mythbuntu/etc that takes you step-by-step through partitioning, setting up your user account, etc.  Pretty damn hard to mess up, and will give you a chance to feel what a dual-boot is like and get used to a Linux environment.  I highly recommend it.

[Sparky712]

OP, Archlinux is pretty hardcore.  I'm not saying don't use it, but do be prepared to want to throw your computer through a shredder.
. 
If you want a soft introduction to Linux with very easy install/uninstall, try Wubi.  It's an installer for Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Mythbuntu/etc that takes you step-by-step through partitioning, setting up your user account, etc.  Pretty damn hard to mess up, and will give you a chance to feel what a dual-boot is like and get used to a Linux environment.  I highly recommend it.

Personally, I oppose this. yes, arch can be frustrating, but it's worth it in the end, you end up with an operating system, that you know a few basic console commands on. if you use ubuntu, you don't get dug in to using command line at the start, so unless you actively try to, you won't learn about it at all. whereas with a distro like arch, you start to understand what you are doing, and how it works. all this, and it is itself much smaller. and as it is starting from pure command line, it's easy to put in place the DE or WM of your choice. or.. as in my case.. put in place a couple, so i can use whichever suits my mood.

[proxx]

Im an arch user myself and I dont agree that it is suitable for beginners.
You really need some bash skill to get through the installation if you want to do it under a week.
Ubuntu is good to get a feel for the game but indeed dont stick too long, too much gui's too little internals exposed.

[Lupus]

Personally, I oppose this. yes, arch can be frustrating, but it's worth it in the end, you end up with an operating system, that you know a few basic console commands on. if you use ubuntu, you don't get dug in to using command line at the start, so unless you actively try to, you won't learn about it at all. whereas with a distro like arch, you start to understand what you are doing, and how it works. all this, and it is itself much smaller. and as it is starting from pure command line, it's easy to put in place the DE or WM of your choice. or.. as in my case.. put in place a couple, so i can use whichever suits my mood.

That is true that you can get down and dirty with Arch from the start, and I agree with most things you said, but I also know it's pretty easy to muck up your computer if you botch the install. 


I guess it ultimately depends on learning style and ambition.  In my case, I wanted to get used to the feel of Linux and basic CLI stuff before I dove into something insane in the beginning like Arch.  That would probably have intimidated me and made me run back to Windows. 


I'd say if people want to try Arch, they should start it up in VMWare or VirtualBox or something the first time and run through the install.