Which Linux is best for me?
 

Sorry if this is the wrong section...:(
Okay but I have Windows Vista 32-bit on my laptop and I want to share it with Linux so I can have both. I don't know much about Linux, but can anyone suggest one good for me? Something that a 15 year old would think is cool with awesome features and stuff.
One thing I've always wanted to do was have like a duress password or something like I could have diff passwords for my login so like each pass could have different privileges or something or like a password could completely lock down my comp...that would be cool. Can Linux do stuff like this?
Anyway, cool features, fun stuff, yeah, which one is best for me?
Also, how do I partition my hard drive? Or should I put it on a CD?
Thanks!
Greg

I would play with a Live CD first. That won't touch your hard disk contents, but would let you play around a bit and get to know linux better. Good introductory distros are Ubuntu, Mandriva, PCLinuxOS, and Linux Mint (other people will have their favorites).

When installed each person would have a separate login. You should be able to do the same with Vista though. You just have to change the other user's classification to "User" instead of "Adminstrator" or "Power User". That should prevent them from doing much to the machine.

As for locking your machine down completely, typically you have to set a BIOS password. This prevents the machine from booting up unless you put in the password.

I know how to do it in Vista, but that's no fun. I mean if I have a friend over and I want to mess with him, I can log in with a diff password and funny stuff will happen. Just think of the possibilities...I think I'll go with Ubuntu for now though.
Wait which one should I use? Ubuntu, Fedora, or OpenSUSE?

All are good general purpose distros. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. And all have pretty good online documentation. You just have to pick one and jump (which is why I suggested a LiveCD to start with).

I'm not sure if Fedora or OpenSuse have live CD versions to try out.

for a new linux user i would recommend Ubuntu or Mint
both are very "new" user friendly .
I would stay away from Fedora until you get some exp. under your belt

Opensuse has live cd and dvd versions available.

Along with the recommendations pljvaldez made, I would add the following suggestion:

GNU/Linux distributions use several different packaging methods for their software. The most difficult (read "for advanced users") are the source code distros. All software has to be compiled in order to install it. It is generally more difficult to upgrade software from one version to another because the dependencies may change from one version to another.

There are many distros which use RPM package management, but the rpms are not necessarily compatible among the rpm based distros because the directory structure may vary, and the dependencies may also vary.

Then there are the DEB based distros (packages are generally compatible among the deb based distros).

Rpm based distros have all the dependencies satisfied in the iso image you download. Upgrading to later versions is where the difficulty comes in.

Deb based distros have dependency resolution built in, so that if you want to upgrade a particular package, the deb management software will search for the dependencies in the distros' repository and install those as well.

So, the bottom line is this: download one each of the source based, rpm based, and deb based distros. Put them through their paces. Study their package management software, then decide which (one or more) you want to install.

As far as partitioning and installing, using a liveCD to boot and explore www.google.com/linux for answers to your questions. There are many howtos and tutorials describing the process of partitioning and installing a GNU/Linux distro. The partitioning can be done from a booted liveCD. Usually, you can then install the liveCD. 3 to 4 gig partitions for each distro: install several to try out. Just be careful, read all instructions and options as you install, and you will probably have a successful installation.

For someone completely new to linux I would recommend Mint.
I say this because this is where I started, and I have never looked back.

If you want cool, enable the compiz desktop, set for cube rotation and experiment with the animation settings for close, minimise, etc.

Both my granddaughters (11 and 13) think my laptop is "way cool", whatever that means

Cool well I'm working on downloading Ubuntu right now, and by the time that it's taking to download, I have to ask, will it fit on a CD?

I'm with Sorbyl Linux Mint It's Ubuntu Improved MP3's DVD's etc; plays out of the box Downloading the codacs and plug-ins is not as easy for new users as some make it seem. Distro hopping is fine ,but i would use Ubuntu or Mint before trying some of the other distros,more than two distros on Vista is asking for problems.The best way to try Linux is on an older computer Not your Main or only One

Yes The Ubuntu ISO will Fit On a CD

I don't know about Mint, but as far as I know it's as easy to use as Ubuntu. It's supposed to be an "improved", more proprietary Ubuntu. I started with Ubuntu. It's very easy. Plus with the live CD, you can just use it and read about it before you install it to your disk if you want to.

I tried downloading Ubuntu to open with InfraRecorder like it says, and I wrote the disc, but then I took it out and put it back in, and Windows recognized it as a blank disc...Did I do something wrong?
Also, where did the file go? I can't find it in downloads...

You downloaded Ubuntu using Windows Vista. So where do downloaded files usually go on your system? Or did you burn it while downloading?

Next you burned it to CD. If Windows still sees it as a blank CD, you obviously did not burn it ;) I don't know the program that you used for that, but if you have Nero or Roxio, burn it to CD as an ISO or image. Advise is to burn at low speed.

It is advisable to verify the downloaded file before burning to disk. You need a program that can verify md5sums (I use digestIT 2004 under WinXP and Win7) and you need the md5sums; see http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1472087 where to find them.

Oh Ubuntu said use Infra-Recorder. I tried it with Roxio too. And it did something, and I can't format it now. Should I just start over with a new CD? Or should I use a DVD? And I was using maximum write speed. Is that why it was failing?

it is recommended to use the MINIMUM /slowest write speed.
on windows Infra-Recorder is good

okay so should I start over with a new CD and just trash the old one?
Also, Roxio or Infra-Recorder?