Best Linux distro to use?

Question

I'm starting to get fed up with Windows, I've been using it for pretty much all my life, I heard Linux is pretty awesome, and for the more tech savvy people, which I think I might be. So, this goes out to all the Linux fans here, which distro should I use as a new user, or which version do you use that you think is best? I'm kinda curious about how the file extensions work on Linux though, like can .exe's be run, are there still .jpegs and whatnot? I'm just ready for a new OS to be honest. And Linux is free, so what the hell. Thanks in advance for your replies.

Answer 1

why not take the test



http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/



it will guide you on which distro to try,



personally i use mandriva linux and my 7 year old daughter uses pclinuxos



have a nosy at this, click the pictures to play the video



http://www2.mandriva.com/linux/features/



and



http://pclinuxos.com/?page_id=180

Answer 2

Linux is not a "magic bullet" that will solve all your problems.



The biggest issue with linux is a lack of driver support for hardware so some of your hardware (particularly if it's a little unusual) may not work, or work as well.



Choosing a flavour or distribution is up to you really. There is linux that will work better on old hardware, some versions will work better on new hardware, some versions are better for business because they have paid support plans, some are designed to work better on laptops or netbooks.



I suggest that you look at Ubuntu. It's the easiest version to use and it pretty well just gets itself up and running with very little hassle. There is a lot of free online support too. I suggest that the BEST option is to download the LIVE CD version, follow the directions and burn it onto a CD. Using a live CD means that you don't have to install the operating system onto your computer and wipe out Windows just yet. You boot from the CD and linux starts up instead of Windows and no permanent changes are made to your computer. To get back to Windows and everything you had before you just shut down, and remove the CD.



Yes. There are .jpgs and .mp3s and .pdfs and all that stuff. Linux doesnt use program files that use .exe files. It has a different versions of that with a different extension. But the idea is the same. Linux still uses file extensions but it does take a little while to get your head around the different types. Ubuntu has a built in "package manager" that makes installing and running most new programs pretty easy so that's another reason to start with Ubuntu.

Answer 3

I will recommend Linux Mint 8 to start with, or Ubuntu 9.10. These are stable.

Mint 8 will work without any tweaking. With Ubuntu you may have to download a driver.

There is a new version of Mint 9 and Ubuntu 10.04 out now, but many are still having issues with them. I would not start with them, maybe in a month or two they will have all the bugs worked out.



Once you get used to Linux, you can always switch to another distribution simply by downloading an iso image and burning it to a cd.

Take a look here http://distrowatch.com/ look over on the right side of the page, scroll down a ways and you will see a list of Linux distros ranked by popularity.

Answer 4

First off, .exe's cannot be run on a basic Linux installation, since an .exe is a Microsoft invention. You'd have to get a Windows compatibility layer (like WINE), which still cannot run EVERYTHING. (i.e. Office 2007. If it could, I probably wouldn't dual boot). JPEGs and other basic things work perfectly.



As far as the best distro, start with Ubuntu. http://ubuntu.com

When you get better at it, and you start enjoying tinkering with things, check out Gentoo.

http://gentoo.org

Be careful with Gentoo, though. It's easy to screw stuff up.

Answer 5

There are 2 that i like: Debian and Kubuntu. Debian has 1000's of help classes (purposes and utilities). Kubuntu is an off-shoot of Debian and has grow to be typical on the grounds it extremely is a "plug and play" replace for abode windows. It only works with none flaws.

Answer 6

Why Linux is Better

http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/



Here are some options for installing or trying out Linux



Option One (Full installation)



I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 8 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 9.10 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled



Linux Mint 8 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=44



The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 8 (Helena) Installation

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-8-helena



Linux Mint 8 Helena User Guide

http://www.scribd.com/doc/23787138/Linux-Mint-8-Helena-User-Guide



You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 8 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation



Linux Mint 8 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive



Option Two (Install Linux inside Windows)



Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi



You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.



Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.



Boot in to windows insert the Ubuntu 9.10 LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the Wubi installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Ubuntu (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.



Once Ubuntu is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Ubuntu



Ubuntu 9.10 Download

http://releases.ubuntu.com/9.10/



Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) User Guide

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Karmic



Linux Mint 7 has a similar feature called mint4win and the directions given above for Wubi can be followed (XP and Vista only)

http://duncsweb.com/2009/09/27/mint4win-a-wubi-based-installer-of-linux-mint/



Linux Mint 7 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38



Linux Mint 7 Gloria User Guide

http://www.scribd.com/doc/15884753/Linux-Mint-7-Gloria-User-Guide



Ubuntu 9.10 and Linux Mint 7 can also be run straight from the LiveCD without touching your Hard drive



At present I do not recommend Ubuntu 10.04/Linux Mint 9 owing to multiple stability issues



Option Three (LiveCD)



Here the possibilities are endless as you can try out as many different Linux distros. until you find the one thats right for you DISTROWATCH.COM gives full listings (second lists the major distributions)

http://distrowatch.com/



Major Linux Distributions

http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major



Linux and Windows applications



In most cases native open source alternatives are available and can be installed using the Ubuntu Software Center



Installing Software in Ubuntu

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installingsoftware



If you want to run a specific Windows app. then WINE which is a Windows Compatability Layer is a possibility however this method should not be relied upon



Using Wine on Ubuntu

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wine



Here is a list of Windows apps. which will run on WINE



Wine Application Database (AppDB)

http://appdb.winehq.org/



A better solution would be to grab a copy of XP and install it on a virtual machine. I thoroughly recommend VirtualBox which is easy to use and incredibly versatile



VirtualBox is available in the Ubuntu Software Center as outlined earlier in my answer



Installing Windows XP as a virtual machine on VirtualBox

http://www.ghacks.net/2009/06/15/installing-a-windows-xp-as-a-virtual-machine-on-virtualbox/



XP performance on a virtual machine is quite acceptable based on allocating 1gb RAM and 128mb Graphics



Install VirtualBox Guest Additions as well which wll give you additional features



Install Guest Additions for a better VirtualBox experience

http://www.ghacks.net/2009/06/17/install-guest-additions-for-a-better-virtualbox-experience/



If you rely on Windows applications heavily then (Option 2) would be best





LUg.