[lotuseclat79]

The Beginner's Guide to Linux, Part 1: Finding the Right Distribution (2 web pages).

We are certain that many of you want to try Linux to see what it is like, but have no idea where to start or how to get into it. This article is the first installment in a four-part guide that will gradually introduce you to the Linux environment and how to adjust to it if you are a new user.

Contents:
Introduction and overview
Your skill level
The purpose of the system
Package management
The bottom line

The bottom line

The key to finding the right distro is experimentation. Each distro has a slightly different feel, and it may take several attempts to find one you really like. Virtualization software makes it easy to test several different distros at once with minimal risk. The next installment of this series will walk you through the installation process and will also tell you how to prepare a dual-boot system.

OSes highlighted: Ubuntu, Mandriva, Gentoo, Debian, CentOS, Fedora, OpenSUSE
Package Management Tools highlighted:

apt-get: {Debian, Ubuntu (and its variants), gOS, Linux Mint, Sidux, Knoppix}

yum: {Fedora, CentOS/Red Hat Enterprise Linux}

yast: {OpenSUSE}

portage: {Gentoo}

urpmi: {Mandriva}

Note: Kubuntu differs from Ubuntu with Adept Package Manager rather than Synaptic Package Manager as alternatives to apt-get.

-- Tom

[absolutezero1287]

You should add archlinux to that list. It is far simpler than Gentoo but provides the flexibility of binary and source based package management.

[jazz_new]

I found a site that lets you try Open Source software for free, right in your browser
Try it out! www.click2try.com