[pjblevin]

I have an extra PC that I'd like to install Linux on, instead of Windows. However, I don't want this quest to change my life. What I'm looking for is some kind of situation where I can put Linux on my PC, have some fun, and have a reasonable chance that I won't get totally frustrated and toss the whole thing out. I've got a fair amount of patience, and have been with Windows PC's for quite some time. Is there a paid-for installation package that I can use? Is there one that clearly stands out from the others? I'd appreciate help that anyone can give. I've been fascinated with Linux for a long time, but never taken the plunge. Now I'm ready.

pjblevin

[websurfer]

Some you may want to look at include Fedora Core, Debian, Ubuntu, Lycoris (if you want a windowish look/feel), maybe even Mandrake. Those are all I can really think of that stand out in front of the others. I'd reccomend you first try Ubuntu, if you don';t like the way it's laid out, go for Mandrake or Fedora Core.

[brendandonhu]

You could try Knoppix or MandrakeMove. They're CDs with full linux distros on them - if you don't like it, just take the CD out and reboot.

[CouchMaster]

I've had perfect luck with SuSE9.1 personal and Ubuntu5.04 - both detected everything on my computer and set themselves up accordingly and I'm still not sure which I prefer. I'm using both and rarely go back to Windows. Both are free DL's and impressive to say the least.

[Nester]

I would go with Slackware, you will learn much!

Since I installed it, I have never even felt like changing to another distro.

just my opinion though, others my feel differently!

nester

[johnny_frog]

Personally I found Fedora very easy to install and get running.... pretty much everything was detected straight off with the exceptions of my PCI (win)modem and onboard sound which took a bit of fiddling. That was my first foray into the world of linux and was relatively painless....

Mandrake is reasonably easy to get up and running as well

[short101]

Mandrake ,suse, knoppix, ubuntu, fedora if you just want to have something that works and you dont really want to learn the ins and outs.