Linux distro wanted

[Cool G5]

I am now shifting from windows to linux.Can anyone tell me which linux distro is best suited for beginner?I plan to make a dual boot(XP+Linux).Also give me links to some tutorial for Linux which includes basic tasks like installing apps etc.

[Ricky]

There is really a plenty of LINUX distro available.
You can opt from Mandriva, FC5 and so on.

Learning linux is very simple.. search linux tutorial and u get thousands of good tutorial in SE.

[mehulved]

Just go through the links in this thread http://www.thinkdigit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3427. See which ones interest you and read those threads. It will help you in getting a lot of resources.

[cpyder]

Ubuntu! Ubuntu!! Ubuntu!!! Sufficient help available on internet. Auto Update is just too good. Installing apps is as easy as it gets.

I tried FC5 and Suse 10.1. What-Not as friendly as Ubuntu. Go for it, you wont regret. and yes... me to a Linux newbie, converted just about 10 days ago and have not lookd back at windows as yet.. :)

[NucleusKore]

I recommend open suse 10.1, check my screenshot http://www.mafialord.com/j.png
All configuration is through YaST, which is like the control panel of windows although far more powerful. No much fiddling around with terminals although you may choose to if you want to feel very geeky :-D

[gary4gar]

u can choose any of the following distro for which u will have plenty of support
1) Ubuntu (http://distrowatch.com/ubuntu)
2) open suse (http://distrowatch.com/suse)
3) Fedora (http://distrowatch.com/fedora)
4) mandriva (http://distrowatch.com/mandriva)
5) KNOPPIX (http://distrowatch.com/knoppix)(u don't need to install this, as it can run from cd itself so u can see what linux looks like)


pls read the reviews for all the distro's and choose what u want

[mehulved]

Well most of the people in this forum, including me are biased towards debain based distros, so most will be recommending you to go for Ubuntu. It is a great distro but others like Fedora, Suse and Mandriva are really good too. There are many more good distros but the above 4 stand out because they have a big community and as a newbie if you have a problem, it will be very easy to solve problems encountered with these distros.
Install whatever good distro you can get.

[~Phenom~]

I recommend FC5.

[kalpik]

^^ Wait for 2 days and get FC6 :p

Anyway, my personal recommendation: Ubuntu.

[Anindya]

Check this out it may help U --

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Linux_distributions.

Here is a list of available Linux Distro --
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_distributions.

A List of Live Distro --
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LiveDistro.

[drsethi]

I would recommend SUSE Linux 10.1. Very easy to install.
However after installation certain softwares need to be downloaded and installed like win32codecs.See details at
http://www.thejemreport.com/mambo/content/view/254
Linux is more difficult than Windows to learn, but you will get a good experience
Also make atleast one partition as fat32 to be commonly used by Windows and Linux.
Other useful links
http://www.comptechdoc.org/os/linux/usersguide/linux_ugfilesp.html
http://packman.links2linux.org/

[praka123]

if u want all propreitory things like w32codecs, perhaps |freespire| may help

[JGuru]

This question has been answered numerous times by now!! Checkout the link @Tech_your_future
has given. If you are totally new to Linux. Try Knoppix Live CD/DVD. It will give you a
feel of Linux. Ubuntu, Suse, Fedora are the top distros. Mandriva Linux is a very good
choice for users totally new to Linux environment.

[chesss]

Just take the Linux distribution chooser (http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/) - a nie step by step thing tha will help you in chossing the distro based upon your knowledge.

My opinion: just make sure your distros has kde by default. Ex: kubuntu,mempis,arch linux

[shaunak]

Ubuntu 6.06. (http://www.ubuntu.com)
Definately.

[mehulved]

Just take the Linux distribution chooser (http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/) - a nie step by step thing tha will help you in chossing the distro based upon your knowledge.

My opinion: just make sure your distros has kde by default. Ex: kubuntu,mempis,arch linux
Why? Not that I am against KDE or something but what's wrong with GNOME? It's just as easy. I myself started linux with GNOME on FC2. It's as easy even for a newbie.

[ankitsagwekar]

suse 10

[chesss]

Why? Not that I am against KDE or something but what's wrong with GNOME? It's just as easy. I myself started linux with GNOME on FC2. It's as easy even for a newbie.
Because gnome is too slow, specially for Indians (non super fast PC's), and more importantly coz of Nautilus. The most horrible piece of software EVER!
Kde on the other hand comes with konqueror which is much better for browsing, file management(dual panes), can read man pages, use locate for instant search.

[saurabh.sauron]

for me, ubuntu rules. u might face some problems with fedora core. i had faced some problems. even basic tasks such as installing needs tweaking. i recommend ubuntu. i prefer DEB distros rather than RPM.

[praka123]

How can u say that?iam using gnome for long time.ur wrong.GNOME is superior it is less resource hoggy than kde scrap.Nautilus is much improved;u havent seen newer GNOME 2.16/2.14 i think they are really faster.kde is one copycat of redmond with umpteen menu for useless scraps as apps.GNOME is faster than kde-mind it i can prove it anywhere.GNOME also incorporates beagle search also was gnome-find and getting better than kde $hit every day.
also with GNOME available XGL/AIGLX available
So N00b's start using GNOME,dont fall with the kde scrap:mad:

[[xubz]]

And Gnome can run KDE Apps Perfectly.. Try Running GTK Apps in KDE :-&, They Look Fugly!

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/112/screenshotamarokliftbypoetsofthefall1ot2.th.png (http://img88.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenshotamarokliftbypoetsofthefall1 ot2.png)

One Can Easily install KControl in Ubuntu and Play with to Make the Color Scheme to Match the Default Ubuntu Brown/Orange One..

And ANY KDE App can be Installed, If you hate to Download them, Just get the Kubuntu Alternate ISO, Add the CD to the Repos and then apt-get the Usual Way..

[mehulved]

Because gnome is too slow, specially for Indians (non super fast PC's), and more importantly coz of Nautilus. The most horrible piece of software EVER!
Kde on the other hand comes with konqueror which is much better for browsing, file management(dual panes), can read man pages, use locate for instant search.
KDE, by default uses more resources than GNOME. Both can be tweaked to use lower reosurces. And both can be tweaked to have more functionalities.
For slow PC's running KDE will be even more difficult. For slow PC's there are Window Managers that come in handy as they consume less resources.
You can use nautilius to read man pages. With beagle, there is a nice GTK based search.
GNOME is a really good software. It is not at all horrible. It's just that you are biased. I believe both KDE and GNOME are eually good.
For lower resources, both DE's are a bit of trouble, but that's where WM's like XFCE, Enlightenment come in. They are feature rich, easy to learn and low on resources.
Whatever can be done on KDE can be equally well done in GNOME, and even on console, if you are good enough.
And please stop having KDE v/s GNOME war here.

[Cool G5]

Thanks

[eddie]

And Gnome can run KDE Apps Perfectly.. Try Running GTK Apps in KDE :-&, They Look Fugly!GNOME users would give an arm and a leg to have a thing like "gtk-engines-qt". This makes GTK apps look like native QT applications. You show me similar counter part for KDE apps and I will be very happy :D
One Can Easily install KControl in Ubuntu and Play with to Make the Color Scheme to Match the Default Ubuntu Brown/Orange One..The same can be done by starting gnome demon with KDE...