Hi,
I am new to Linux and was wondering which of the Linux Distro you would recommend for a beginner to start hands on with? Also, can you provide links where I can download Linux ISOs.
rgds
winchinedu

Hello winchinedu,

what do you expect from using Linux? How about your experience with Windows?

Markus

http://iso.linuxquestions.org/ - download linux distributions from here . The most popular and easy to use one they say its ubuntu .
thats true , but linux mint provides a more out of box media experience .. and looks more like windows ...

For someone new, I would recommend that you stick with one of the main-line distributions that use either a deb or rpm package system. One key feature will be the software package repository and one that will resolve the dependencies for you. This will make a larger amount of software available to you with less hassles getting it to work.

Opensuse or Ubuntu have lots of software prepacked and are simple to use. Most distributions with gui's are easy to use as well but ubuntu is more popular for being easy. What I would recommend installing 32(i386)bit or 64 (x84_64)bit Ubuntu depending on your hardware and play with it a bit. Then install vbox and then you can test out other distros as well inside ubuntu. The does bog down your Linux box a bit and doesn't give your guest OS a good feel of the hardware but it does give general IDs. Just a note vbox doesn't have good 3d support.

Long story Short. if you have 64 bit processor 64 bit ubuntu if you have 32bit processor then 32bit ubuntu.

It depends on what you intend to do with Linux.
Do you just need a system for your everyday use at home, like playing media and surfing the net? Then go for one of the distros that are more beginner-friendly, like Mint, PCLinuxOS or Ubuntu.

Do you need a stable system for production use? Then go with Debian, Slackware or CentOS.

Do you want to learn as much about Linux that you can? Then go with Slackware, Arch or Gentoo.

Please note that these only are some suggestions, that are somewhat interchangeable. Of course you can set up Slackware, Debian or CentOS as multimedia system (and many here do), and you can learn about Linux on one of the newbie-friendly distros.
Only the stable production OS is somewhat limited to only a bunch of distros.

I'd also suggest looking into ZorinOS which can also be purchased as a professional variant or a community release which is a feature-limited addition.

Linux Mint
https://mirrors.cicku.me/linuxmint/i...amon-64bit.iso

niceflipper8827, This thread is 23 years old nor has the OP been active for the same time period. No reason to dig up old threads. Granted it is a very common question.

2 members found this post helpful.

You may find this LQ sticky helpful,

For what it's worth, the folks at Going Linux (both the website and podcast are excellent resources) recommend Ubuntu MATE.

Personally, I think just about any mainstream distro would be a good place to start; no matter which one you choose, there will be a bit of learning curve, because Linux is different. It's not hard, but expect it to be different.

You might consider picking two or three you are interested in, then boot to Live CD/USBs of them, then pick the one you feel most comfortable with.

Good luck and welcome to LQ.

In my opinion, the best place from which to download an *.iso is a distro's own website, but that's just me.

i will just add, because some 2 years ago i was very confused with same question...
it is not enough to write name of Linux distro, but which Desktop Environment to use...

and i can honestly say, that if user tries many Distros, even with only 3 Desk Environment,
their setup with separated toolbars might confuse him alot...

the very starting point should be either Linux Mint - Cinnamon, or Linux Mint - XFCE, or Kubuntu...
these to me are a Windows "migrants" best "go to", since visual familliarity is the very 1st thing person notices
and gets into comfort zone

1 members found this post helpful.

Very true Vinifera. Although I had a little exposure from my tech work with linux it was all CLI, when I took the dive at home I first went with the "Lindows" ( aka inspire) just for that reason. Didn't turn out to be what I wanted but I kept at it going to usually KDE environments which at the time offered "windowized" configs for quite a long time until I got curious what else is out there.

To the list I will also chime in for PCLOS. Reliable standby I went on to for years when the sid-based distros got too exciting for me. I keep mint cinnamon as a backup to my kubuntu, I agree it is very polished and a good place for windows refugee as well.

Another note they should not get discouraged if their first try isn't what they expected. It may not boot even. Look for some help. Try something else. Many different experiences out there to be had in linux.

1 members found this post helpful.

Admittedly, there are a lot of things about Linux which can be quite confusing to beginners who are used to Windows. (Or, MacOS/OSX.) For one thing, the simple fact that there are "multiple complete GUIs(!) to choose(!!) from!" And then, the underlying importance of "the command line," which you will eventually encounter.

"Proprietary" systems give you "one way to do everything," and are prone to change these things ... without warning, and without recourse. Whereas, the Linux system, at multiple levels, gives you "more than one way to do anything." It takes a bit of getting used to . . .

My admonition to these users is the same: grab a free(!) copy of VirtualBox®, install it on whatever "host machine" you now have, and use it to experiment with Linux. Knowing that it is "running in a window on your host," and that, no matter how you manage to screw Linux up you cannot harm the "host machine." So, you can experiment in safety, and it didn't cost you a thing.

Also: For many years, BYTE Magazine published an article series called "Taking a Sip From the Fire-Hose." And this is basically what you should expect when you start to dabble with this brand-new-to-you thing. You're are(!) going to simultaneously encounter "things that seem familiar" and "things that are totally baffling." (And, from time to time, this still happens to me.) Fortunately, you have stumbled-upon probably the very best website anywhere to "ask Linux questions." The only dumb question, remember, is the one you didn't ask. "To learn how to swim, you've got to get into the pool – starting at the shallow end." There's simply no other way to do it. But, "the water's fine."

I would recommend Mint, It's perfect for beginners, and is what I started with.

A necro thread from 2010.