Help! Which Linux distro for me???
 

Hi There,

I am new to Linux, I have tried (briefly) PCLinuxOS. I would like to move from MS OS to Linux OS. I am not sure if that would be possible because I can't do everything in Linux. Games, Web design, and other applications which I use. I am thinking to have dual boot Vista and Linux (I have 2 Hard drives)

I need a distro which has a good hardwere compatibility and easy to install applications. I am looking for a Linux distro which has a nice (rich) graphical desktop environment and friendly graphical installer. Easy to install and uninstall softwere like in windows os.
Thank you for your suggestions.

My PC-Laptom is:

Dell Vostro 1700 Windows Vista Business
17" Widescreen WXGA+ (1440 x 900) Display with trulife
3072MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
320GB (5.400rpm Dual Hard Drive (2x 160GB)
256 MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600M GT
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW

Try Ubuntu.

Why did you not down load a few Live CD to try you,re self
Because the choice of a distro is quit personal it should meet you,re wishes as close as possible.
So trying is the best way to find out.

all the best

I think that the best for you is Ubuntu, you don't want to spend time to figure something out, want a distro that has a lot of packages available to download, and a good hardware support ( I think Ubuntu has the best support for new hardware ).

Hi,

I agree that you should try some LiveCDs to see what fits. I would also suggest that you do a dual boot configuration.

This link and others are available from 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!

distros
 

as Gary said livecd's are where its at because you can try without any risk. The only recommendation I would give is whatever you decide to go with on a permanent basis check out howtoforge.com and their series of "perfect desktop" articles with go through quite a bit of configuration and neat stuff you need to keep up productivity and play. Its also nice because its step by step and great for the novice Linux user.

Regards
JKZfixme

as many people recommended, try different live cds distros. for example Ubuntu (never used it but I heard it is very user friendly). I have open SuSe, im really happy with it.
good luck finding the best distro for your needs.

Thanks to all
 

I know, is hard to say which Linux distro is the best. What I am looking for is a Linux distro which is easy to use. I just want distro which is close to Windows as possible. Easy to install applications, so I don't have to use command line.

Thanks

If you want Windows, just use Windows.

Try Linux Mint, it's even easier than Ubuntu.

Feel free to try live cd's as much as you can.

Someone in another thread suggested this survey. It may help you out.

The look&feel of linux can be as close to that of windows as you like - but it is a fact: the systems are different.
And that difference will become visible - not only but also - when it comes to installing software.
How you install it is different.
There are nice and easy to use programs which make the task of finding + de/installing + upgrading software easy - called package-managers or similar.
But it still is different than clicking on an .exe file to install a program.

Ubuntu - try it.
And a few others ... when you got the hang of it.

[edit] the survey suggested above will give you good hints
and many distributions are available as live-cd's you can test easily without installing them

Linux will never be close to windows at all!!! It is like asking which BMW would be close to a KIA???? Linux is the best operating system out there so by saying you want to get a Linux distro similar to windows is IMPOSSIBLE!!!
The command line you will have to use it once in awhile (personally I love using the command line). I recommend you get Windows XP then download an expensive Anti virus with a firewall which you will have to renew every year and stay with windows.

Hi,
Rather rash aren't we? A potential new user that requests assistance to have a M$ look alike distro for his system is asked all the time.

You can get your GNU/Linux Desktop to look like M$ and potentially have a near operational system without the worry of virus/Trojans.

He did use the word 'similar' so that is a rather broad area. He would need 'WINE' to use some of the programs that normally would be run under M$. I would go the virtual way if the OP has current hardware. That way he/she could have their GNU/Linux inside M$ or have M$ inside his GNU/Linux as a virtual machine. A good choice or option.

Try a LiveCD to see if GNU/Linux is for you. You can always have a dual boot system to have both worlds if the virtual world is not for you.

This link and others are available from 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!

...I would strongly advise not going with a windows act alike on the basis that these
hybrids break the rules that make linux so great. None the less most of the
basic skills are the same. Changing to a Mac would be harder.

Try Kubuntu, out. It's based on Ubuntu but has a fairly windows like interface.
You won't get totally lost using it since the gui basics are the same.
That's assuming that you're not confident under windows either.

The Ubuntu family are so easy to use it can some times feel like being talked down
to if you are good with PC's.

If you are quite good with windows try fedora core with KDE in place of GNOME as your
desktop. KDE's a what makes kubuntu more like windows than ubuntu.



Now with nearly all linux's (or linuxie perhaps?) there is some sort of package management tool.
What these do is act as a "one stop shop" for installing and uninstalling.

You open the package management program and it lets you browse through categories of software
and extras adding and removing what you need until you click apply and it automatically makes
the changes that you asked for.
(Though it may point out that X program needs Y to work or removing Z will stop W from working).

I hope that works.