Which Linux is better?

Question

I have never used Linux and know absolutely nothing about it. Through searching I found many different types: Fedora, Ubuntu, ebian Linux, SUSE Linux, Knoppix, Gentoo Linux, Slackware Linux, Mandrake Linux, Damn Small Linux, etc... Being a Windows user since 95 I am wondering which is the "best for ME".
I am also interested in which books and internet resources are available to get me jump started and on my way to being a full blown Linux user. I have found Linux Bible, linux.com, Linux for Dummies, and Linux-The complete reference, but have no idea what I am looking for.
Thanks in advanced.

Answer 1

http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/index.php?firsttime=true

go here and give the quiz to get started.

to get me jump started, just my curiosity about linux did the job. every modern OS is more or less the same so even if you are used to windows then even it won't take you much time to get used to linux.

i prefer ubuntu and its LTS release is out which is 8.04. LTS means that it is its the long term support release and will be provided with updates for 3 years for desktop version and 5 years for server version.

there are many desktop environments for linux like gnome, kde and xfce. gnome is full featured but not so great looking(see ubuntu 8.04 screenshots using gnome http://www.thecodingstudio.com/opensource/linux/screenshots/?linux_distribution_sm=Ubuntu%208.04%20Hardy%20Heron%20LTS). kde-4 is full featured and looks quite beautiful(see kubuntu using kde4 screenshots http://www.thecodingstudio.com/opensource/linux/screenshots/?linux_distribution_sm=Kubuntu%208.04%20KDE%204%20Remix ) kde 3.5 is its old version (see kubuntu using it here http://www.thecodingstudio.com/opensource/linux/screenshots/?linux_distribution_sm=Kubuntu%208.04%20Hardy%20Heron%20LTS ). xfce is light-weight and suitable for older hardware (see xubuntu using it here http://www.thecodingstudio.com/opensource/linux/screenshots/?linux_distribution_sm=Xubuntu%208.04%20Hardy%20Heron%20LTS ).

kubuntu and xubuntu are just ubuntu using a different environment. these three are the most popular desktop environments but there are many more.

you can consider open-suse also as its very pleasing visually. i tried the openSUSE11 beta with kde-4 and was quite impressed. you can see which linux distro you want by just downloading their iso's and then try them without installing just from their cd's and see which one suits you.

download ubuntu here http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu

download openSUSE 10.3 http://software.opensuse.org/

get pclinuxos 2008.1 http://linuxtracker.org/index.php?page=torrent-details&id=95ccdc13c5722487b93f6dced44eb8ee67fa5198

you should consider torrents as they will ensure that you don't get a broken download. you can find torrents here http://www.linuxtracker.org/

it had got torrents for nearly every distro. i prefer torrents. they maybe a bit slow but they do save the central sever from too much load and also ensure that you don't get a broken download.



some common terms which you are going to come across

livecd: distors use this. it allows you to boot from your cd to run the operating system from the cd without installing to the harddrive and allows you to explore your operating system

compiz-fusion: composite window manager for linux which eye candy for linux distro. born from merger of beryl and compiz. see it in action here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HmuMwfASD0&feature=related

it is been defaultly included in all three distros which i gave download link to but in ubuntu, installation of compizconfig-settings-manager is needed to use all plugins like desktop cube and 3d windows.

wubi: it is a software which creates a dual-boot setup with windows without creating any actual partitions and upon boot, you are asked which os you want to login in and allows user to remove ubuntu like any other windows program. from 8.04, this has been added to the installation disk for ubuntu which you download and you can choose this option using the installation disk.

Answer 2

Every operating system has it's use and purpose. Every operating system has it's own pros and cons. What is better is a matter of opinion and personal choice. You need to retain Windows if you are a Gamer. It's not that Linux can't play games, but it is Limited on what it can play as far as Commercial type of Games. Every compute in my house are dual boot Windows and Linux. In my opinion I have the best in both operating systems. Unfortunately I use Linux 95% of the time and Windows on 5% of the time for what Linux does not have. Only you can decide what is best for you, your needs and your own requirements. Linux can run from a LiveCD because it loads into memory only, which means you can play around with it without affecting you operating system on the hard drive. If you have an opportunity to use a Linux Computer a friend might have that would be the best way to see what it is like.

Answer 3

There is always a learning curve when delving into something new, so don't give up on a distro just because it looks a bit hard. Ubuntu was the most downloaded distro last year, and has been this year as well. They have excellent support forums and the install is pretty straightforward. Beware if you are using a PCI (second) video card, I found it to be a headache to get mine to work, but the built in one worked right away.



PC Linux OS comes in number 2 (last year, and this year). It is a bit more "PC" than other Linux distro's so it could be easier to get used to. I had it installed on my laptop and it did a good job of recognizing my wireless card (which most distros seemed to have trouble with). It just had the habit of not turning my screen back on when I opened my laptop lid.



MEPIS has been around a while and has an excellent reputation for responding to customer requests for help. It is easy to use and has a nice installer. Also used it on my laptop, had a little trouble with my wireless card but the work around was pretty straightforward.



My suggestion is that you start with distro's that offer "live cd" versions (they'll run from a CD, no need to install). That way you can find one you like the look and feel of before you commit.

Answer 4

If you're looking for a version that takes care of your basics, and you're used to what's available on Win95, SUSE or Debian/Ubuntu will impress you.



Some of the others, especially Slackware, Knoppix, DamnSmall are meant for specific situations and not so much for being a useful desktop setup out-of-the-box.



What I will add that hasn't been mentioned yet is your choice of Desktop Environments. Technically, 'Linux' refers to what's running under the hood (specifically, the 'kernel' or core system, plus the set of installed packages) but you have a few good choices for what it will look like. The two most common Desktops are Gnome and KDE - Gnome looks quite a bit like the Mac interface, with the bar at the top by default; KDE looks and acts more like Windows 9x.



The normal version of Ubuntu comes with Gnome installed, but the companion project Kubuntu has KDE instead. There's also a third distro called Xubuntu that uses XFCE, a very memory-light desktop. If you're installing Linux on your old '95 machine, I'd suggest finding a distro that uses XFCE or another lightweight user interface.

Answer 5

It seems like you're a novice in Linux World, so it's better to try something easy. The most user_friendly distro is Ubuntu, Fedora or OpenSuse.



If you want to deeper your knowledge. You can try Gentoo.



Best regard.

Answer 6

If you have never used Linux before then I would suggest you start out with Linux Mint 4.0 Darnya (Main Edition) http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

Its easy to install, easy to use and comes with much of the software preinstalled. Linux Mint is directly based on the highly successful Ubuntu, so there is no shortage of online support http://ubuntuforums.org/



Enjoy.



LUg.

Answer 7

ubuntu based distros are all good of them my first pick is linux mint there are good books avialable at barnes and noble for ubuntu and a few other distros and its how I moved to the next leval but the truth is with linux mint I never needed a guide to do anything its evan easier then ubuntu and they got a good setup

a book of your distro will help more then a general guide if you choose sose or fedora then get a book on that it will do way more good for you

Answer 8

Debian Distros

The reason is simple it has the MOST software packages available to it (Check wikipedia if you dun believe)

Ubuntu is derived from Debian and it has most user base

I tried it any problem i encounter i could find solutions online and solve it

But i did not like Ubuntu because it is too pre packed with some software that is not needed

Answer 9

Hi, I would suggest openSUSE.



Its the easiest, most polished, stable linux distribution out there.



You won't have to face the command line often either.



http://en.opensuse.org



I have my own openSUSE blog here:



http://snake1990.wordpress.com



Here r the suse forums u should probably join as with any other linux distro.



http://forums.suselinuxsupport.de

Answer 10

Probably Ubuntu. It has something called the wubi-installer that automatically sets up a dual-boot with Windows for you. So you'll have both Windows and Ubuntu, and if you don't like Ubuntu, simply uninstall it like any other software in Windows



http://wubi-installer.org/

Answer 11

are you a windows user?if you are then ,don't start to use linux becoz my big brother is using it and i am sure if you use it you will get confused becoz it really needs user concentration becoz it is really very bad and if you wanna use it for preventing your computer from viruses then don't do it becoz i am working in microsoft company and we all are working on making a powerful virus for linux which we will destroy all the linux related stuff and it will affect the hardware too like hard disk and i am using windows and its better than any other so i think that now will think for some time before using any linux related stuff and if you are going to report my answer then don't do it becoz its a truth





and for further advise you can directly contact me on my ID

[e-mail]

Answer 12

I prefer Fedora Core. It's easier to understand for newbie

Answer 13

Ubuntu gets real good write ups and has excellent hardware support.