Whats a good linux for a complete newb? I don't know anything about the linux code kernel and im looking for a simple lnux distribution. Can anyone help me decide.

SuSE 9.1 or Mandrake 10 are easy to use distros for the newbie, and yet they are used by many Linux experts.

Crikkett,
Theres a place on this website where you can see the reveiws on the various distros. Im currently using Libranet, and for me, also being fairly new to Linux, the installation was INCREDIBLY easy and user friendly. But there are others out there that are easy also. It just depends on what you are looking for. And even if you start with one and dont like it, you can always change it. Good luck to you!
much love,
nikki

Crikket

I'm a total newbie, been playing about with Linux, and trying to get my head round it, for about 2 weeks only.

Read up on the forums and worked out where and how to download distros, burn iso disks and install them.

So far I've tried Mandrake 10 CE, SuSe and Knoppix live.

Mandrake seems to be the easiest and most complete, it's managed to run all of my existing hardware, except for my ATI Radeon 9600 Pro card which I've since discovered is a common Linux problem due to inadequate driver support, set up a network with my wifes PC, listen to CD's & MP3's, watch DVD's, watch TV with capture card, access Internat & e-mail and even link to MS Messenger.

(To all the techs out there, Yes, I know it's the apps that do all this not the distro itself)

Setup was quick, easy and painless.

They are free to download (providing you have a quick connection) so as Libranikki says, try a few to find one you like

Hi i think you should try Gentoo or slackware...
I know they are kinda hard to understand when your a newb but
Its very learnful... Thats my opinion so think about it.

Erling

One good way for a complete beginner is to get a LiveCD that will let them see how it works on their system and if they like it, install to HD. That's why I'd suggest Mepis. It is a good, easy system that stays close to its Debian roots. Libranet is also a good suggestion, except it doesn't have a LiveCD, just a traditional installer.
If you go with Mepis, grab the Release Candidate of the new version!

I would recommend the expert ones cos then it gets you use

I asked my friend for a linux box on the net he put one up for me gave me root and i learnt my own way

but if you really want to use it as a personal machine then i would recommend redhat,mandrake or suse since they look pretty painless

One type of distro that newbies like yourself should (IMHO) seriously consider are the LiveCD distros, as ferrix recommends in this thread, above. Besides Mepis, Knoppix seems to be very popular as well.
In the Distrowatch 'A Beginner's Guide to Choosing a (Linux) Distribution', http://www.distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major, "Mandrake, Red Hat, SUSE and MEPIS can be classified as good middle-road type distributions."

nycace36