[RootbeaR]

Linux Distribution Chooser is an on line application where you have to answer series of questions, these sets also includes questions on your knowledge on Linux and type of OS you are look for and depending on your answers the application will gives you a list of recommendations on the Linux distributions that best suits your needs.

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

[jtrag]

If you are new to Linux I would recommend either Ubuntu or openSUSE 11.1

Either distro is honestly the best all round distros you're gonna find and personally I recommend openSUSE over any other distro. I highly recommend you start with openSUSE. If not, then start with Ubuntu.

Hope this helps

P.S. This is comming from someone with a LOT of experience with just about every distro out there

[jtrag]

By the way, I forgot to mention, if you choose to install openSUSE, you should probably choose the option for either KDE3 or KDE4 Desktop. KDE3 is older and more stable, but KDE4 is very well developed at this point and I can honestly say it's probably ready for a production environment.

[jerryrigger]

I've used Suse and OpenSuse and liked them both. I tried Ubuntu but couldn't get it to work properly with drivers on my computer. Right now I'm using Mepis, it's stable and boots from a CD so you can try it before you install.
I've used a number of versions but stopped using it when they started to use Ubuntu as their base system and with Mepis addons because it would not work on my system. Thankfully the switched back to a Debian base and I can use it again.
That's the one thing with many Linux distros, if one doesn't work try another. Live CD's are the way to go. They don't run as fast as a HD installation but they give you an idea of how compatible they are with your hardware. Once you find one that works well you can install it on the HD and get the full benefit and speed of the software.

Some live CD distributions I've tried are Mepis, Ubuntu, and PCLinux. I can't remember if OpenSuse was a live CD distro, it's been quite sometime since I installed it.

[absolutezero1287]

Suse = Microsoft

[RootbeaR]

Originally Posted by absolutezero1287

Suse = Microsoft

That's what I thought.

Was waiting for confirmation.

Partners with Novell.

[absolutezero1287]

They partnered up with M$ so that they wouldn't be sued for the copyright infringment claims made by Microsoft. M$ claims that the Linux kernel contains 40+ instances of copyright infringement. Yet they won't offer evidence. That's is largely due to the fact that its all FUD.

[060456F]

I use lot of linux distributions under VMware and experiencing the fun and taste of all of them. Linux is a superb OS irrespective of what distribution you use. The one you have to use is the one you like most and feel cool and easy.What I say is that try out all the available linux stuffs and experiment them. Most of them are free to Download. In general

If you are an experienced professional - use Fedora or RHEL
If you are new to linux - use Ubuntu, Knoppix 5.3(Bootable) or OpenSuse11
If you want a Windows like linux - use Kubuntu, Mandriva or OpenSuse
If you want to experience the beauty - all of above and many more

[1002richards]

... and don't forget to try using Wubi, very safe and easy. This from their website:

Wubi is an officially supported Ubuntu installer for Windows users that can bring you to the Linux world with a single click. Wubi allows you to install and uninstall Ubuntu as any other Windows application, in a simple and safe way. Are you curious about Linux and Ubuntu? Trying them out has never been easier!

Inserted from <http://wubi-installer.org/>

Richard

[saikee]

A good food guide in Linux.

The untold secret is there is no law against having all of them together

[Deagon]

To be perfectly honest its a question that only you (the asker) can answer for sure. It might be worth your time setting up an old machine specifically for testing and try different distro's to suit your needs. I went through a variety of distro's before i found the one(s) that are/is just perfect for me.

I have Puppy Linux 4.12 on my 'TV' PC (little web browsing machine behind and connected to my telly vision in the sitting room) Which is really simple and easy to use for your 'first' ventures into the world of Linux. The downside being that its a really basic distro that doesn't come with much pre-installed.

I have Debian 2 on my flash drive with 'Gnome' which is really handy for basically having your own operating system on any PC you use (be it in combination with windows using qemu, or by booting from the pen drive)

I have Debian 5 Kde on this machine, because i got used to Debian on my pendrive and decided i liked it better than Fedora core (which i had been using on this desktop for a few years, Thats why I am a 'KDE' person myself)

Now I know this may read as boosting but all i am trying to say is that you don't have to 'dedicate yourself' or be 'Loyal' to any one distro/linux community. There are many out there and the only way you will be able to answer your question for sure is by trying a few out, because quiet Franky the 'Norm' answer of Open Suse (Which is good) and Ubunto (Haven't tried) isn't the suitable answer for every one.

But this is a question that has been asked many times by many people and is often fiercely debated. No doubt that will continue to be the case.

Anyway good luck finding your perfect distro, because it is out there... you just need to find it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._distributions

[saikee]

Linux is Linux. It is not like a Mafia that you must belong to one family. Any user comfortable with one should be able to survive in the others. The desktop may be different, only a handful variations, but the kernel is the same and the terminal or console is universal.

The best way to survive in Linux is to learn the Bash commands and able to get thoings done at the terminal because this is the common denominator in every Linux.

[RootbeaR]

Has anyone tried link from my first post?

It seems to be pretty good. Gives different results depending on your responses.

[RootbeaR]

Originally Posted by saikee

A good food guide in Linux.

Very nice saikee!

A good read even the second time round(read it previously a year or so ago exploring your links).

[psam3]

Originally Posted by jtrag

By the way, I forgot to mention, if you choose to install openSUSE, you should probably choose the option for either KDE3 or KDE4 Desktop. KDE3 is older and more stable, but KDE4 is very well developed at this point and I can honestly say it's probably ready for a production environment.

I'm going to install OpenSuse 11.1 tomorrow when I finish building my new computer, but I must say I couldn't stand the new KDE in Kubuntu, is it any different in OpenSuse or has a new version recently came out? I think it was when KDE 4 just came out. Gnome just seems to make more sense to me.