The problem w/ buying books and CD's, is you don't know how up to date the CD version is(unless you're familiar w/ versions, etc.). A couple days ago, someone was in the Ubuntu support channel, and had bought a book that included an Ubuntu install CD. What version did it include? 6.10 Only 2yrs old.

99% of the information in books about Ubuntu, is found w/ a 30sec Google search

IGF

I start with slackware 11 year ago in this way, it's a good suggestion but what if the Cd is too old? :S

Personally I think if you choose a distro, whatever you like, you can READ the manual (google is your friend) and start installing and trying is the best way for a good learning.

Best for newbs and pros alike! Really it's the apt package manager that's the best. So debian would be a good choice as well. Actually Linux Mint is an excellent choice for real newbs@

The only voted for debian?
Here can't be a deb place!
Anyway I consider the Debian Project the very best for newbies.
The distros that are for newbies are Mepis, Linux Mint, Ubuntu/Kubuntu
I mention Pardus too. That isn't debian.

I prefer Debian, but I think new users should cut their teeth on Ubuntu. They are more or less protected from themselves w/ sudo, and just about everything you learn on Ubuntu, can be used on Debian....

IGF

For me Ubuntu is the most "user friendly" and "intuitive" of all the distros, therefore the best for newbies. Mandriva would be my second choice!

second that. I have tried a number of different ones and I keep coming back to ubuntu. I like PClinux as well though.

For newbies, I think it is best to start off with one of the main distros, and the four I recommend are:

Ubunut
Suse
Mandriva
Fedora

in that order.

Once they have become familiar with the choice they can then start to consider what style/flavor of Linux might best suit their machine and the way they work.

There are many excellent Linux distros that are better suit to certain types of boxes, or with certain programs, or the way an individual works on their computer.

Further more, I would encourage newbies to dual boot, first of all with Windows, then once they get to know Linux with their chosen Linux distros and a specialized distro which offers them additional functionality.

Windows is a 'one fit all' OS whereas Linux is more versatile and can offer a better fit for style of work or computer set up.

All the main distros above (with the possible exception of Fedora) will work well on most computers and give newbies a 'user friendly' interface.

Not all newbies are created equal. Some just want an OS that is cheap, easy, won't hassle them, give them a hard time, or try and sell them something. Others have some interest in the OS they use, they may have no expertise or they may be IT veterans. Which is why I will next go to the - Question: Should there be a "Which distro is best for me" forum or sub forum? - poll at http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...d.php?t=652475 and vote Yes.

For "I just want an easy life" newbies who don't mind paying a fee for support and upgrades I suggest Simply Mepis, but if they want it for free Kubuntu would be my choice.

If you are interested in FOSS and care about your OS, Debian Stable is not only virtuous, it is also a rock-solid practical distro, thought very slightly less user-friendly than K/Ubuntu. Debian Testing is more up to date but may be less stable, obviously. Debian Sid is, always was, and always will be, Unstable, just right for those who like taking risks.

I have no direct experience of them, but I gather distros such as Slackware and Gentoo are great for hard-core techies.

Read up all you can about the major distros and any that might appeal, get hold of live CDs if you can to try them out - though not everything will work.

If you want a distro to stick with for the long term, check on upgrade paths, some distros don't upgrade well, and recommend clean installs instead. "Industrial strength" distros like Debian and Red Hat (but get CentOS instead) upgrade well, as I believe do openSUSE, Mepis and K/Ubuntu. For others, check before committing yourself.

It must be Slackware, I think so. It's very stable to use at a glance.

Mandriva is preferable for newbies because it has for a decade hewn closely to its founding concept of an advanced operating system with an attractive, accomplished user interface for the dominant processors and much peripheral equipment. Mandriva remains preferable because the company has consistently focused on hardware recognition and installation ease, and has been willing to patch the kernel to allow better recognition and installation success. Mandriva has encouraged an open development process, and various helpful support venues, which have returned helpful testing, development, and design feedback, resulting in better product offerings. Mandriva has been successful in finding ways to allow public and private development to assist each other in keeping product quality standards high and financial cash flows profitable. During these activities Mandriva has combined talented international developers and spirited leadership tenacity toward increasing open source success and world-class business standards. These corporate achievements result in products to which users can look forward from a company toward which everyone can look with admiration.

The best Linux for newbies is Suze's. I managed to get it going on my PC without turning nuts. I usually can keep it running in stretches of 10 to 15 months long before hitting some fatal error. This forces me to reload the whole stuff again. But as a newbie I keep my dignity, I don't have to go thru this maddening 'Alt-Ctrl-Delete' super dumb 'Bill Giggles' routine 50 times a day any more. JP

After Beafanatix (what?) Ubuntu, Debian, Slackware, DSL, I found Debian best across the spectrum of experience and age/power of hardware. I am sure that it's more tolerant of older comps even back to P2 and probably older.

Package management is excellent. Also, it's completely and simply reversible, so if you've cluttered a small HDD with stuff, you can lose what you don't need. Compare that to Slack, where you need to have to have a good idea what you're going to use before you build it. BTW slack is excellent and I suggest only unsuitable for newbies because of installation, which would not be newbie friendly.

I haven't tried some of the distros mentioned but most of the time I work with older comps and they wouldn't meet the spec.

As you progress with any distro including Debian you will find that you can work on it directly through console.

I Have tried various linux distros and what puts them in first or last for me is:
1. How easy is wireless... (not every one is tied to a desk)
2. How easy is streaming music (radio) if you like.
3. Ease to install...
4. How fast it reacts after install.
5. Are the desktops pleasing to the eye.

So I think user friendly:
PclinuxoS (if wireless)
Ubuntu based (if wireless)
Pardus (if wireless)
Freespire (if wireless)
Linuxmint (if wireless E17)
Opensuse 11 (wired) wireless is only a dream if you are new.
gOS (wireless E17)
OpenGEU (wireless E17)

all work great when hard wired.. but what happens when you want to take your favorite on the road with laptop or tablet pc.
Just my thoughts.

I've tested Ubuntu and Ulteo and Puppy and for coexisting with
Windows without having to partition then Ulteo looks promising
but is still Beta and sound fail still? So that one maybe in future.

But using Sun's Virtual Box and then any distro within that one
may be the easiest to set up.

Second maybe Puppy cause you need to burn an iso and to a newbie
like me that was not easy. I failed with both windows own and Nero 6
but Puppy recommended me to try out BurnCDcc and that one worked right away.

So now I have a Puppy 4 Dingo Linux on a Multi Session capable install
on a single layered DVD - R but + R would work too I guess. I even tested
on a CD - R and that one worked too.

That is the one maybe easiest to use linux I came upon as newbie.

I am a bit disappointed they use SeaMonkey instead of Firefox 3.0
but maybe SM has things that is features and me too noob to know.