Best Linux OS?
 

which linux based OS is more useful for regular windows user?

Probably one of the Ubuntu versions. Start at http://www.ubuntu.com/, read though the descriptions of the versions to find one that fits your hardware (at least 32-bit or 64-bit), read through the Distro Reviews (in the Main Menu at the top right of this page), download an ISO file (from Ubuntu or one of the LQ Download Linux links (in the Main Menu at the top right of this page), burn it to CD-ROM/DVD/Blu-ray, install and have fun.

Hope this helps some.

Hello shreyastare, welcome to LQ,
Well, a nice question, here some of the million answers.... :D

1. When you want an OS which is like Windows, stay with Windows because Linux is not Windows http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm

2. If you want to learn Linux you should not search for a distribution which is as similar to Windows as possible but take a look at completely different approaches, namely those who are more Unix-like. Slackware, Arch, Debian.

3. If you want to test Linux in order to find out if it't the appropriat system for you, many distributions come with Live-CDs or DVDs. These can be booted and used like any other Linux-system, but will not alter your Computer.

4. Do you want to substitute Windows or do you want to have both systems on your computer?

5. It is important to look at your hardware, there are many distribution which work very good with older hardware whereas very recent hardwarecomponents (Wifi adapters and vga adapters) often don't yet work properly with Linux.

and so on ;)

Markus

What's best for you is a matter of taste. If you have a small computer (less than 768MB of RAM), that may restrict what you can use. If you have a laptop with any personal information on it, you need something that enables you to encrypt your files easily, so that a stolen computer doesn't lead to a stolen identity. You don't want Ubuntu, for various reasons. I currently recommend the following for a beginner:

Linux Mint is very good: everything just works. Of the two versions, Cinnamon differs from Mate in having a fancier user interface and needing rather more memory and CPU power.

Fuduntu is a rolling-release distro. No versions, so once you've installed it, you run the updater regularly and never need to re-install.

PCLinuxOS has a rather different user interface, which some people prefer. It too is rolling release. No easy encryption, though.

OpenSUSE is good quality with the same interface as PCLinuxOS but the bonus of encryption. You do have to download the media codecs from their website after installation, though: they aren't on the disk.

All can be run from a live disk to try them out before you install. Go to the Distrowatch website and they have links to reviews, with screen shots, to tell you more.

Have fun!

Someone has already mentioned an enlightening article entitled "Linux is NOT Windows" - Please read it as it will clear any misconceptions regarding your Linux expectations. Linux is a powerful beast, IMO much more powerful than Windows and/but it it works/feels/tastes/looks slightly different than Windows. If you want something LIKE Windows, you might be better staying with Windows.

By the way, why would you like to try Linux? If you tell us your reasons, it might be easier to guide you. What things do you typically do on your computer?

IMOHO "sycamorex" is asking the single most critical question.

What you plan to DO is the important question not only to select the 'best' Linux, but also every other OS with different versions or distributions (including Windows). Trying to use Win7 as a server is disgusting, and worse if you run the HOME edition. Linux has a wider range of choices, with all manner of applications that run the range from pure server to pure client to pure workstation and all the steps between.

We have here a community that have themselves used many of the available choices, and helped others use even more. Without knowing you better, we are flying blind. Throw us a clue or two, and I bet we can provide more targeted advice.