ok why am I switching to Linux from Windows?
Because I'm sick and tired of viruses, instability, and Microsoft's neverending campaign to ruin my life by monopoly.

I've been reading a lot, and trying to settle on what distro I would need to suit me. I want to run Linspire but the money just isn't there, and I think there might be better distros out there.

Currently I'm looking at

• SimplyMepin
• SUSE
• Xandros

I've read nothing but good reviews about SimplyMepin, I've read both Stellar reviews about SUSE and some about minor issues, and I haven't seen any reviews here for Xandros, but the ones on the web are positive.

I like Simply Mepin because it's made in my state (West Virginia) which is just some weird territorial thing on my part, not an influencial decision maker.

What I need from my system is simply
Stability
a host of applications that will help me be productive but keep me entertained. Playing my music library is a must, so Mp3 support is needed, or easily attainable.

The OS needs to play nice with my removable hard drive, simply because that's where I've stored my documents and media... (I would enjoy mpg and DivX support too)...

I don't understand the downloading of packets or how packet managers work (could someone explain it to me?) but I do know that I would like is to know that there is a large supply available. I was really impressed with CNR's host of applications. Something that size would do me nicely.

Admittedly, I'm curious if it's worth the hassle to switch. I like being able to watch DVD's on my computer, and I'm scared I'll lose that capability. I'm worried about incompatibility with my system (which is one thing I like about Simply Mepis's live disk). All in all it looks like it's coming down to Simply Mepis or Suse in my quest to find a new OS. Anyone here that could dispell my doubts and fears, while providing me with information would definitely earn my thanks

EDIT: and I would PREFER to not have to learn a bunch of command line jargon as a requirement

Any help ASAP would be appreciated

If you are going to be using Linux or any UNIX like OSes you will have to use the command line at some point. The best thing to do when looking for a distro is to try a few and then stick with the one you like.

It is very easy to trial a live-CD.
Knoppix is very good, and I think Ubuntu do one too (not sure about those distros you mention, have a look to see if they have a live-CD).
With a live-CD, you make no changes to your current set-up - you just boot to the CD and get a taste. They don't run as fast as the real thing, because it's running off the CD, not the hard-drive, but you do get a very good idea of what you are getting yourself in for.
Switching to linux is not something that you will achieve ASAP.

Good luck and welcome to a new world.

My problem is I can't really try a few. My hard drive is partitioned in such a way that I have to have at least one that WILL work on my machine. I don't have the disks to reinstall windows (the restore is a seperate partition on my HardDrive). That makes this a very one shot kind of deal.

Also, I don't mind using a command prompt, I even do it willingly sometimes in XP. But learning all the commands is difficult for me, if you could make a suggestion as to how to learn them, that'd help a lot.

Also what are my chances of having DVD playback and MP3 support? I know they're on Linspire but I didn't see that as a feature on any other distros. Also how to the "apt-Get" programs work?
Also I have the Mepis live CD burning right now, if I like it and it runs correctly, I'll probably partition and install it

DVD playback and mp3 playing and ripping is better and easier in Linux. Depending on which distro you go with, you may have to download the needed stuff from alternate mirrors, or compile it yourself. This isn't hard and answers can be found here depending on which distro you choose.

For someone new, I would recommend Ubuntu. Grab the live cd version and you can test drive it before installing.

Many distros have live discs that you can download and test.

I've heard Ubuntu had a lot of problems though...

and yeah, I'm trying the Mepis live disk, although I can't figure out what I'm supposed to do at the command line

Try PCLinuxOS if you liked Mepis you'll like it too.

I'm trying to get Ubuntu to work atm, but i'm running into similiar problems as with Mepis. Boot goes well, GUI doesn't load. Ubuntu informed me that it could net set up my Xdisplay Server or something like that. Don't know what the problem is...

There's my system if you get any ideas

Try PCLinuxOS it comes with ATI driver and should work.

okedoke I'm reading reviews and I'm liking what I'm reading. Maybe this one will work for me .
Does this one have a program repository like the others I was looking at? I believe it's called apt-get?

I didn't see it as having support for my X600 graphics card, at least in the ATI version, so I just downloaded a standard distrobution of it. was the a good idea?

I'm downloading it now, it should finish in a few hours. it's looking really good so far, I hope my machine will run it. I used to run Red Hat when I was 12, so I'm familiar with mandrake

Wow, I'm an idiot. i downloaded the vanilla version, but I needed the ATI version (I didn't see where it supported my card =\) Well, I'm downloading it now... maybe I'll be joinign the linux family tonight

apt-get is a form of package management, i think from debian originally.

Package management is a way of managing installed software, dependencies (linux is modular, as opposed to monolithis) and updates/upgrades.
Ubuntu is based on Debian, so also uses the apt-get setup.

But most of the distros use some form of package management (Linux From Scratch does not, but this is probably not for you - or me - for many other reasons)

i am a newbie also, i took the top ten rated and tried them all out, i have installed PCLINUXOS, i like it very much. i was referred to their forum by this forum. it is ran by the man that worked on it Tex. all are very nice and helpful like here. PCL has the packages to download as you need or want. it is called something different. come over there and read some of the post and also try the live cd click this address for their forum. good luck to ya, http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php