OK, here is the situation. I have some experience in linux, including running RH9, Fedora 1-3, Mandrake/Mandriva, SuSE, Slackware, and Ubuntu. Since using Linux, I have purchased an iMac G5. Because I have my unix based OS X, I have not kept up on the old PC which the family uses (Windows XP) and it has fallen into disrepair. They have to decided to use Linux after spyware and viruses have screwed up XP (and my suggestion.

So, now after being out of the Linux 'loop' for a bit, I need to choose a distro.

What I need out of a distribution is this:

Ease of use coming from Windows XP. Mostly basics such as IM (gaim or kopete), and office (OOo or kOffice) but still easy to use other features.

Easy networking. I need to be able to get it set up with the cable modem and wireless router (PC is connected directly). I also MUST be able to print to the Brother HL-1440 laser printer connected to the PC from my Mac.

Mac compatibility. I would like to be able to write and read from the Linux PC from my Mac. I wish to back up my files to it, and also be able to access all of the files from my Mac.

I have downloaded FC4 (stentz?) although I don't know if it is the best choice. Mandriva had not yet released thier 2006 version, although the Beta is out. I am not sure if that is stable enough for the rest of the family though. Ubuntu seems a bit limited and a bit hard for them to learn. I need something that is easy for them to learn, easy for me to set up and administrate, and allow me to back up from the Mac (Read and write).

Any suggestions or tips for me?

Nathan

hurrah... yet another best distro thread... fc4 is fine. good choice.

Hi,

About Mac compatibility, there is http://www.yellowdoglinux.com/.
There is this interesting article about yellowdog, Ubuntu and OS X on a Powerbook you
might have a look on, too :
http://www.intuitive.com/blog/ubuntu...powerbook.html

regards

Sorry, looking back at my post I guess it really kinda is a "which distro" post. I know of which are easy and which are harder. I didn't know which would have good interoperability with the Mac.

I also was looking for tips on how to share the printer and hard drive from linux so it can be used by the Mac. I've never set up sharing with Linux so I have no idea what I am up against.

I know of Yellow Dog, but I thought it was mainly a PowerPC distribution. I am not putting Linux on my Mac (not yet anyway) but I need OS X to be able to work with the Linux that is running on the PC.