Read the rute Linux tutorial from Paul Sheer, it's a great introduction (and more) and it's free. You can order it as a printed book, too: http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html.gz

When i first migrated i tried 32 different distrobutions before i settled on Suse10.0because of it's clean install and it's ease of use. The onlt thing i would suggest is examine whihc windows manager you would like. KDE and Gnome are both good but there are lighter and faster window managers avaiable.

I'm still doing this. I've settled on Debian, but I'm currently using IceWM, XCFE4, KDE and Gnome on each of my two machines. I'm trying to give it plenty of time and get to know each of them.

I like this thread.

Moved to Linux - Distributions

I suggest slackware,debian or arch linux. That's what I recommend for anyone who wants to KNOW linux, so (s)he can have confidence in using linux and the computer. As in (s)he knows quite good what's going on.

But if you don't want that but rather just want to browse the web, email, office, chat, .. DIRECTLY without much having to learn I think Ubuntu can be good.

It depends if you love to open stuff up to see how it works and love to repair things that have gone broken.
Or you are someone who just buys something new when it broke, and you want everything to (just) work without you having to understand anything about it.

OK, it might not be exactly like that but you get the point


I started learning linux with slackware, because people told me I would learn linux this way. And it's true, I learned the linux basics very fast.

But I know others who started with Suse or Mandrake and after some years they still don't understand much. But sure, they don't have any big problem's either and are able to do what they like (in general).
But they will mostly also not find some of the advantages of linux, and will probably need help more.

And I, I might have used more time on getting to know linux. But as long as that's enjoyed time, it isn't lost

It just comes down to what you like.

My point exactly. Its what you want out of linux, and what you will be doing with your machine.

Because essentially (don't blast me for this) Linux is Linux. However, there may be some sugar on top, with some distros. If you like that "sugar" or not, is up to you...

Sugar should not be taken literally.


But really, are you a graphic designer? Do you just use your machine to browse the Internet? Do you need certain windows applications? Every question you ask yourself, each distro may have a different answer on how easy this can be accomplished.

As it was said earlier "it just comes down to what you like"

Try them all! Find whats best for you..and what you like. I will beat the hell out of that, because Linux is about choice and freedom...

By the way, I advice you to find yourself a good installation guide (like maybe someone wrote a good guide here on LQ) and read it once fast before installing the operating system. Or just read it while you are installing, I just prefer to take a fast look on the whole guide to get some kind of structure in my mind.

A guide really is a must, I'm sure that without it I would never have learned linux. And ask as much questions as you want here on LQ.

No need to struggle alone, there's a lot of help on the internet. But I guess you already knew since you posted here

greetz

You right 10000% because I ask not only linuxquestions forum< I ask other linux forum not only
Linuxquestions forum.
That how I find my answer very fast

Pepperwood,

Sir I take my hat off to you, for embracing the world of Linux. I have A few Reccomendations but as Many people have said it is what YOU want to get out of the OS.

I'm Not going into detail about Why I recomend these Distros over others, just that I prefer KDE to Gnome because I find it has increased usability and better suits my tastes and needs.

I chose Knoppix Because it has increased usability and heck you can do anything with Knoppix, including rescuing your windows OS (I've Never had to do this though)

and I chose Blag and BeatrIX because they are simple unclutted and are easy to use

I hope you find My Reccomendations helpful

Kubuntu
http://www.kubuntu.org/


Mandriva

http://frontal2.mandriva.com/en/downloads/mirrors

Knoppix

http://iso.linuxquestions.org/distro.php?distro=5

PCLinuxOS

http://www.pclinuxonline.com/pclos/html/download.html

BeatrIX

http://www.watsky.net/download.html

Blag
http://www.blagblagblag.org/download/

Hope this Helps,

Jake

I was wondering maybe since I'm going with hopping around. Whats the most Windows like distro and most complete distro (meaning doesnt have lacking support like mandriva, fedora, suse) has like for mp3's, etc

Haven't made a lot of progress the last couple of days but feel more comfortable at this time anyway with going with a "windows-like" atmosphere. Thank you!

Will look into this further when I'm feeling better. Thank you!

Great Suggestion! Not why didn't I think of that.