Help Switching from WINDOWS to LINUX!

[suhas_sm]

Guys i wish to switch from Windows to Linux.

Pls help me out with it.

1. Which flavour of the Linux will be best for a amatuer ?

I m well versed with all the windows OSs. Also i am aware of the unix OS.
I have used Knoppix for quite some time now and i m impressed with it.
AFAIK red hat is good right ? but is it suitable for windows user with programming back ground to switch over ?

2. Which portal will help me the most from base to extent in getting along with Linux.

[praka123]

i sthink Mandriva+kde is suitable if ur pure amature and having a habit of comparing each n everything with windows...But u said u knows UNIX...so Debian based like Ubuntu also will be good and GNOME...also have all packages for a programmer bundled..!

[con_tester]

First try any live Distro

I suggest knoppix 4.0.....

[theraven]

if digen were here he'd start with how good red hat is
bat n me would tell u suse
major would probably say gentoo
and andy will recommend ubuntu !

im just concisin everyones diff opinions for u
in the end u just have to try it urself and decide which flavour suits ur pallete

[desertwind]

I second the one above. Many will came up with many suggestions. I recommend you to try some, and settle with one you find most confortable with.

I personally will recommend you FC4.

[con_tester]

Yeah FC4 is good..
But my personal fav. is PCQ Linux 2005...

[swatkat]

Fedora

[__Virus__]

Mannnnnnnnndrake

[busyanuj]

go for Fedora Core (considering that you're familiar with knoppix).

[Ravi+ish]

I think for an amateur ... Suse is good.
for an allround starter.. red hat is good...
and if you want... everything... FC4! even FC5 is available for try!!!

I must tell you.... every piece of Linux is very simple to use these days... so don't be afraid to start with anyone!!!

[desertwind]

Originally Posted by Ravi+ish

even FC5 is available for try!!!

Keep yourself away from that thing. Atleast for the time being. Wait till Feb 2006.

[dIgItaL_BrAt]

Mandriva or SUSe

[suhas_sm]

Originally Posted by con_tester

First try any live Distro

I suggest knoppix 4.0.....

I have used Live Knoppix thats is wat is promting me too switch from WINDOWS. KNoppix ROcks

Hmmm so many operating flavous if i keep trying out stuffs half of my time will go in installing n formatting time is precious but no other options it seems.

[GNUrag]

Originally Posted by theraven

and andy will recommend ubuntu !

GNU would also recomment Ubuntu.

[.:deadman:.]

Originally Posted by GNUrag

GNU would also recomment Ubuntu.

deadman will also reccomend u Ubuntu.

[mehulved]

One more vote for Ubuntu from me 2. I installed Ubuntu yesterday night. It was as easy as installing windows if not easier. Installation was a breeze. I finished the installation in approx. 30 mins.Only place to look out for is hard disk partitioning. I think by default it uses full hard disk. You just have to use advanced partitioning option and and select the partition you want. I also feel OpenSUSe 10.0 is worth a try too if you want comparatively more software in the cd(s).

[praka123]

Also Ubuntu breezy is of few distros which supprts SMART for SCSI/SATA devices with the default kernels which contains the patch..also u can use 'hddtemp' to get hdd temprture.
something like below u need to try..also

 apt-get install hddtemp

 smartctl -a -d ata /dev/sda

[cool_dude_prav]

Originally Posted by GNUrag

GNU would also recomment Ubuntu.

Me 3...

Hey, trust me... Ubuntu is real neat... Esp. the latest one, with a grt-looking Adept S/W pkg manager...

Ubuntu rocks!!!

[Satissh S]

@ Praveen:
Me 4!! Ubuntu has even got recognition from IBM that it's ready for the enterprise.
BTW,
Fedora Core 4 + Fedora Core 4 FAQ + DataOne = Smooth Transition From Windows to Linux!!

[adityaksharma]

Fedora all the way!!!!

[ujjwal]

I can't recommend a single distribution, but here are thoughts on a few I have used the most, the ones on top are the ones I think you should try first -

Ubuntu - a good balanced distribution. Quite easy to install and use, has good hardware detection, a large collection of software you can install using tools like synaptic, but programming tools are not provided by default, you may need to download and install them. Its based on debian, so it can be configured and tweaked easily.

Slackware - fast and stable distribution, installing it requires a little knowledge of linux/unix, and it doesn't auto detect all your hardware, sound and video would have to be configured manaully. Comes packed with development tools, and its simplistic nature allows you to configure it to a very large extent. Good distro to learn about linux.

Vector Linux - tweaked slackware + easy install + fast software. Works well on older computers out of the box. It is a good starting distro for someone who wants to learn the basics of linux.

Arch Linux - this is my personal preference among all, a bit difficult to install, and offers very little hardware auto detection. Is quite powerful and can be tweaked very well. Fast and optimised for modern (i686) computers. Doesn't run on older hardware. Has an excellent package manager.

Redhat/Suse/Mandrake - These three are very easy to install and use, may run slow on older hardware without massive reconfiguration. Complex in functioning, so if you want to tweak or customise it, its not so easy. Very good choice for an absolute novice.