[Ferendon]

I'm looking for a distribution of Linux, that's good for someone with limited Linux/Unix experience. I took a course on Red Hat and Mandrake in college, but that was in 2003... Hardware specs are in my sig. Just need one that's basic, but functional, and I'd prefer something wide-spread and openly-supported. Doesn't have to be 64-bit, and I know there's not much advantage to it, but I'd rather go ahead and go 64-bit, if there's any kind of advantage, so that I don't have to format and reinstall, later, should I need the 64-bit.

[Regicide]

Ubuntu is a great distro for people who want a distro that 'just works'. If you remember quite a bit from your Linux class(es), you may want something with more versatility. I've never used a 64-bit OS before so I don't know about drivers, but your hardware would work fine from what I can tell.

Anyway, I would say try it. Personally, I would try the 32-bit version first as a fail-safe (just in case drivers are problematic).

[namenotfound]

Do you have a 64-bit processor?

[wdmusic]

i have been a pc and mac user for many years. the last few weeks i began experimenting with the latest version of ubuntu, hardy heron. i'm having alot of fun with it. i have it on a toshiba laptop 2.8ghz 1.5 gig ram that i don't have any important data on so i can reload and mess it up all i want.
A friend gave me a priceless book called "ubuntu hacks". It has shown me how to use every important feature- package managers, dvds, bluetooth .
i think ubuntu is great serious os, just takes a little patience to learn something new.

[phatfred]

If you learnt about red-hat/mandrake, it might be better to stick with what you know, it might help. I'd personally go for the latest Mandriva (formerly Mandrake) release. I found this a lot easier than Ubuntu to start with, but that's just me.
Both have LiveCDs available but i'm not sure if Mandriva has a 64bit version