I am new to Linux world. Looking at so many variety of versions available, I am not sure which one to download to start learning Linux.

Hi & Welcome to Linux Questions.

Since you are new to Linux I recommend you give Linux Mint a try.
It is fairly easy to install and you would only have to learn a few basic commands to keep it updated.

Reading the documentation about Linux Mint will help.

Make sure you download the right .iso image for your computers architecture.
There's 32-bit and 64-bit architecture's.

I like LM Mate but the Cinnamon desktop is nice to.
Really it's about preference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMHjUqRfmC8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCxcjHjmjDA

http://www.linuxmint.com/
http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

Here's the Linux Mint Users Guide
http://www.linuxmint.com/documentation.php

-::-You might want to list the specifications of your computer as well for us to assist you in which Linux os you should install.-::-

Is this for everyday use? For the Enterprise?

-::-With older computers it's best with lower end processors to go with a more of a lightweight distribution.-::-

Mint is a nice distro.

I would suggest narrowing your list of choices to three or four distros, then burning Live CDs/DVDs of distros you are interestered in, trying them out, then choosing the one you feel most comfortable with. You could also use the LQ search--there are many threads here discussing precisely this question.

Debian version of Mint

http://www.mepiscommunity.org/mx

Crosses fingers hoping LQ will update to

http://iso.linuxquestions.org/search.php?query=MX-15

from

http://iso.linuxquestions.org/search.php?query=MX

I would but I am busy bug testing

http://antix.freeforums.org/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=6066

Hi...

Welcome to the forum

To give you a better idea, what is your computer's brand and model (and model number?) What is the processor and the amount of memory?

Regards...

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+1 ardvark71 -- tell us first about your hardware and your intended uses for a Linux machine. Then advice will be more on-target.

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Hi.

I find reviews and statistics nonsensical* but in this case distros are free to try... Have fun!

Add: Debian is at the top of most lists one way or another. Unle$$?

Yup sure is.
I ran Debian for a while. Great distribution if your looking for stability.

If you are installing on the computer that you used to make your post, running Windows 7, then any Linux distro will work.

Mint is indeed very nice: easy for beginners and reliable.
Ubuntu has a user interface that seems more like something for a tablet or a smart phone than for a conventional computer. Of course, some people actually like that!
PCLinuxOS is a rolling-release: there are no numbered versions and it is updated gradually.

There are others that are good in various ways, but these combine beginner-friendliness and reliability. Have a look at their websites and read the reviews listed for each at
http://distrowatch.com/

Hello partner,
you can install centos version as a you are new for the linux.

That's your first hurdle and then dealing with the command line in some cases. I think the easiest would be ChaletOS but I suggest you look at other distros as well. You can start by viewing installation and reviews of different distros on Youtube. Here are the list of distros http://distrowatch.com

Might help one decide. You decide with your eyes sometimes in life.

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...reenshots-114/

You need to tell us what you're looking for before anybody can provide a reasonable suggestion.

How important is stability?
How important is having a huge set of software to pick from?
How important is having the latest and greatest versions of software?
How important is support?
How important is a rapid release, or a long term release, or a rolling release (how often you need to reformat and reinstall to keep up with newer versions of the distro)?

Some of these are mutually exclusive - eg: you can't have the latest versions of everything AND have rock-solid stability, since stability comes from testing, and that takes time.

The appearance of the distro is almost meaningless. That's just the desktop environment you're seeing, and you can install [almost] any DE on [almost] any distro, to make it look and act like you want.

As she may not be an Art major?

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