I am absolutely new to Linux and want to switch to Linux from Windows.
Did some research on this site but a newbie like me finds terminology a bit hard to understand properly.
And I decided to start her with my simple questions, with hope someone can provide answers in plain language...

My PC (Vaio laptop, Ram 1.5Gb, HD 80Gb, previously running on Windows XP) , is now completely wiped out of everything, the HD is returned to factory state.

The questions:
Which version of Linux is best to download a novice like me?
Can I do download with Mac computer which is only available for me at the present?
Where to find instructions for installation which are easy to understand by a novice?
Once installed, can Linux connect to web via WiFi on the spot or I’ll need additional software?

Will be very very grateful to all seasoned Linux users who help me with answers!

Marylou

For your system you can download a 32 bit iso.
Ubuntu 10.04 solves all your needs for a starter.
You can download it from http://iso.linuxquestions.org/ or www.distrowatch.com. There are a lot more sites from where you can download.

Yes you can download from your Mac.

Best of luck.

Off the top of my head Linux Mint or Ubuntu. Tip if you click the underlined names you will be taken directly to their websites
Yes you can.
Both of those I've listed are very newbie friendly. The sites have very good and easy to follow documentation and they both have very good user support forums.
That all depends on what model wireless card you have. Both Linux Mint and Ubuntu will run directly from the cd, so you can try them out and see if everything functions correctly before installing to your hard drive.

If you want a comprehensive list of available GNU/Linux distributions you can head on over to Distrowatch.

If you have any further questions don't hesitate to ask them either here at LQ or at any of the sites I've mentioned.

Oh and welcome to LQ

I know what you mean about the terminology. Linux is not more difficult than Windows, but it is different.

There's a good primer at about dot com. It's oriented towards Ubuntu, but it's a good introduction.

Machtelt Garrels has a much more detailed intro to Linux.

Go get Linux mint 9/ Burn an .iso. If you dont know how ? Research it or order the cheap CD or DVD set. Set your BIOS to " boot from CD/DVD" and it will guide you through the dual boot process without screwing up your current system.
Allow about 10 or 15 gigabytes for the install of the Linux. That gets you a nice start for getting comfortable with the system.
You'll never go back to Windoze, unless you are a game freak.............in which case you are cursed anyhoo.

Mint and Ubuntu as suggested are good for beginners.

Another suitable distro is PCLinuxOS:


You could download the .iso file on your mac and burn it using software on the mac (burn it as an .iso image not data CD).
You have enough ram to run the KDE version (which has more bells & whistles and closer to the look and feel of Windows). If you want something faster try the LXDE or XFCE desktop. You didn't give CPU speed.
You'll have to set your bios to boot from CD drive. The site above has good instructions. It's a LIVE cd so you can run it solely off the CD first to see if you like it without installing to the hard drive (it will run slower though). You'll see if the wireless works out of the box.

I begin to understand :-). Will get both versions recomended here but there is something about Internet connection you wrote that:


That all depends on what model wireless card you have. Both Linux Mint and Ubuntu will run directly from the cd, so you can try them out and see if everything functions correctly before installing to your hard drive.

Do you mean that I can open and run Linux from inserted .iso disk and see if it gets connected to wiFi?
I ask because my laptop is wiped out from all Windows stuff and HD is returned to its factoty settings .

Thanks!

Once Linux is running it will try to connect to the available wifi; you may have to enter the security key. If it has a problem connecting there's a driver issue with your wireless card hardware that has to be addressed. Hopefully it will just connect - use the live CDs to find out. Otherwise report back for further assistance.

Don't burn the .iso file as a single file to your disc. Depending on your burning software, you should use the option to create a data disc (or some similar wording) from an iso or image file.

Once you have done that, put the disc in your cdrom/dvd drive, make sure your system is set to boot from cd and you should be set to go.

You wiped your drive, tou must have another computer that you're going to burn iso to, if windows xp download cdburner xp and set it as default iso burner then download iso as it wil be linked cdburnerxp. When you open cdburner select burn iso.

Hi,

Welcome to LQ!

So you want to be a GNU/Linux Newbie! What do I do next? contains some help that you may find useful.