Linux people, I'm looking to take my first steps using Linux, so...?

Question

...Any suggestions on which distro I should use? Debian? Yellow Dog? I'm not a hard-core programmer, far from it but I do engage in RTFM and find all the exceptions for some reason. I just want to use it for the basic Office type aps plus maybe a little networking between PCs at home.

Answer 1

Hi, I would suggest openSUSE 10.3.



Its the most polished, stable, best looking and easiest linux distro to use. If u use any other u will think linux is buggy and unpolished, suse is the best.



Also use Kde and not Gnome, cause gnome is ugly and feature less.



http://en.opensuse.org



Here is my suse blog, it will give u many tutorials and help in setting up your system and as well an introduction to linux and opensuse.



http://snake1990.wordpress.com



Edit:



What ever u do don't use ubuntu. I hate it seriously do u really want to use an OS called ubuntu? Its ugly and buggy and doesn't even have a proper name.



To element_skater, u can shut the f**k up cause ubuntu is the least innovative distro in the world. They haven't done crap for linux, suse devs made compiz fusion, they made apparmor, they made evolution, they sponsor ever little linux project in the world. Suse is by far the most polished distro, if u use **** like ubuntu then u get a bad taste in your mouth.

Answer 2

I suggest you go for Ubuntu. It has a very nice and user friendly interface plus all the usual linux power. Also it has a huge user/developer community where you can get all the help you may need. It comes up with this packing thing which means you dont have to deal with manually editing configuration files if you're installing someting.

You can download it or order its CDs (which are again free :-) ). Try using Ubuntu 7.1.0, You can download it from http://www.ubuntu.com/



Hope this helps.

Answer 3

There are many "distros" out there, so you need to see for yourself what each offers. Everyone has a favorite, so it makes no sense for me to point you to the one that I prefer since my likes, dislikes, wants, and needs may well differ from yours.

My suggestion is to visit http://distrowatch.com/ for a rundown of the various Linux distributions that exist, as well as to have easy access to reviews of those products. You might want to burn a few ISOs and try selected distros out for yourself. Should you visit http://distrowatch.com/, remember to change the "Date Span" of the listed distros. I usually select a 3 month range so I can see what's hot and what's not. Again, that's my personal choice.

I hope this helps. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Use Ubuntu, it is the most easiest to use (I use it) and its the most user friendly and is very popular right now. If you use Opensuse you m ight get a bad taste in your mouth.

Answer 5

ubuntu is the easiest to use in my opinion. they have instructions on their website of how to get it (ubuntu.org). you don't even have to install it either, it just runs straight from the cd, though much slower than an installed version

Answer 6

Ubuntu works. Try it. If you have problems that you can't resolve try something else.