If you are a Linux newbie-not a forum newbie, read.
 

I highly recommend Ubuntu 6.10 or the latest version of Freespire to Linux newbies. Problems that these Operating systems have? They are both pretty bloated (i.e. contain more programs and features than you may use.) Freespire does not work well on a computer with 256mgs of RAM, I recommend using 1gig of RAM for Freespire. Freespire looks like windows, but does not operate like it. Please ask questions regarding distributions in the Linux-Distributions forum.

My distro is better than yours!!!!!

Ubuntu is a good choice for newbies

Ubuntu is not bloated---it can install from 1 CD (like many modern distros) and you can select what to install---or remove what you don't want with the Package Manager.

Freespire is a bad joke--I tried it and it would not install on either SCSI or SATA---pretty lame for something released just recently. Once I got it running on an old P3, there was nothing notable about it.

And--I would never recommend to Newbies anything but mainstream---ie top ten at Distrowatch

I used/use Ubuntu, I just installed the KDE packages. It is however, more bloated than DSL, AUSTRUMI, Slackware, etc. As far as Freespire, I personally don't like it because it looks like Windows, but I just installed it for my boss who knows nothing about computers or Linux at all, and he can use it and likes it. Once a person gets used to it, then they can try something more 'in depth'.

No it's not! Mines better than yours so Ner Nee Ner Nee Ner Ner!

Erm, but concur with "mainstream for newbies" view though (as long as it's using KDE) :D:D:D

regards

John

Well if you really want minimal, then theres lots of choice. DSL, Arch, etc. WTF, anything without a window manager if you really want to "kick the arse out of it".

Afterall, there a ton of apps that will work fine without GUI.

regards

John

p.s. thats the problem with "personal recommendations". They're just that. Personally, I hate gnome. Don't like anything that won't let me do what I want to do. The *buntus ? OK if you want to do something in the way that "they" want you too (bloody SUDO is a PITA if you're used to normal root/user methods).

Notwithstanding that, my 80 y.o Aunt dual boots XP with Kubuntu (Dapper) and is "happy as Larry" with it.

I guess I've never experienced KDE but I have no qualms with gnome...

Debian Etch all the way!

The best advice is try as many distro's as you can. It's all a matter of personal taste, as has been said many, many times before.
My favourites (I've tried a few)? Ubuntu 6.06 LTS and Slackware 11.

Closed on OPs request :} ... let this be a lesson to you.