Hey,
I am going to switch to linux because all my friends love it. But Right now I'm stuck on what distro to get. But right now the winning competetor is NavynOS which is based on gentoo. But my question is: if I get a book on linux (say redhat) then on the console will everything be the same? can I type in "# shutdown -r now" and still get the exact same effect on NavynOS as Redhat? Also is NavynOS the best distro for me? I want these things
1.Can switch between full command-based mode and a gui display
2.Good Browser
3.Networking and network hacking (I run a website)
4.Graphics, video....Basically everything media but it is not THAT imprtant but i need at least a LITTLE of that.
5. SECOND MOST IMPORTANT NEXT TO #1! Needs to be able to switch between windows and linux when booting up, built in boot manager.

THanks a ton you guys
NC (aka, linux newbie)

SuSE without questions is #1 for those who switch from Micro$oft

Don't know NavynOS. There are however small differences between the different distro's that make that certain things are not working exactly the same.
Runlevels in Ubuntu are slightly different from those of most distro's.
Starting (certain?) services in Slackware works slightly different from other distro's.

I would suggest getting one of the well known distros- slackware, suse, redhat/fedora, mandrake, debian (gentoo) and then you will be more likely to get help if you have issues.

If you are going for a book, then go for the distro mentioned in the book (don't do this if you are a cheapskate and get a book that's 4 years out of date) - you will be much less frustrated trying to compare the distros- ie "right, so this tool... argh! it doesn't have it!"

However, if your friends are all using the same distro, and are the kind of friends who are willing to be tech support, then go for that distro.

the internet is your best resource.

lastly:
welcome to LQ!

titanium_geek

Hello there, Titanium!
Is that wise to recommend Slackware to someone who's:
quote:-----------------------------------------
I am going to switch to linux because all my friends love it
--------------------------------------------------

If he follows the instructions, he can't go wrong, I think.

Gentoo is my favorite.

http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/handbook/index.xml

It builds everything from source, and it will teach you how to set up a Linux system proper. But, if you want something easy, try Debian.

1. Yes, but that's what terminal windows are for. :-)

2. Mozilla (Firefox), links, links2.

3. Linux was *made* for networking. And what exactly do you want to 'hack' in your network?

4. I've got my 256mb Nvidia doing everything. Movies and videos (all legal btw) with amazing quality playback. Xine, smpeg-xmms, etc.

5. Grub, the GRand Unified Boot manager. Works great.

ok ok, so debian, gentoo and slackware probably shouldn't be reccomended to newbies. Debian? easy? hah! maybe debian derived like ubuntu, knoppix- but straight debian is tough

titanium_geek

Hi Neo_Chalchas,
I would remember that now matter how skilled you are at the computer there will be a period of learning when switching to Linux. "User Freindly" might be words to look for while searching for a distro. There are many that claim to be "User Freindly" Mandriva, Ubuntu, and Fedora Project are just a couple.

BUT to answer your question using Linux is the same to most users setting and customizing can be a much more difficult.

Yes, Debian is easy. I was a Linux newbie around 3 years ago, and Debian was the second distro I ever installed, after Mandrake. Yes, it was easy, and yes, I did have some help from the Debian site, which will hold your hand through the entire process - much like Gentoo's handbook. Doesn't anyone read anymore?

http://www.us.debian.org/releases/stable/i386/

GUI installers... heh! Pre-compiled packages... heh! A Jedi craves not these things...

No, NavynOS is probably not the best distro for you, unless that is what your friends run! Why not? Because it is based on Gentoo, which is rather difficult for a new user, and kind of quirky. Then NavynOS is created on top of that, no doubt adding some more quirks and bugs of its own... NavynOS is a one-guy project, which can be good if the developer has a lot of time and patience to deal with users' problems, not so good otherwise. I admit I don't know how it is in case of NavynOS, but it is something to consider.
Your requirements are pretty easy to satisfy by just about any distro, so you have a lot of choice. The only catch is, most of the 'big ones' don't provide multimedia support out of the box, for fear of legal problems, so if you use these (Fedora, Suse, Mandriva, Ubuntu...) you need to figure out how to add multimedia stuff yourself - it is usually described on the forums and wikies, but it is a bit of a hassle)
I would go for one of the 'second tier' distros, they will have everything you want including multimedia, and forums or mailing lists active enough to get help if you need it. PCLOS is great for new users, Blag is also good... you really have a lot of choice. Personally I recommend staying away from Gentoo and its derivatives until you have more experience, and a lot of free time on your hands

PS. Switching to Windows is a matter of setting up the bootloader. All distros install one of two - either Grub or Lilo. Either can be configured to double boot with Windows; some installers will offer more assistance with setting it up than others, but it is always possible.

just use the same distro that used by your friends where your can share common problems, tricks & etc of the distro.

welcome to LQ

this is the best advice yet.........use what your friends are using.......
as you can see from above posts......there is really no best first distro to use...........My first was Slackware, my 2nd distro to use was Linux from Scratch......everyone has different stories to tell, but you decide for yourself and then just jump in........we'll all be here to help when you have questions!!