New to linux
 

Hi guys, i'm really new to linux and really have no clue about it but its something that I have been wanting to learn about. And just recently I installed linux on my ipod and had to use slax and I really liked it. So I have a old computer that has been laying around and I have a 120gig harddrive and I have decided that I want to put a linux os on it. I really dont no were to start from and I want to use it to to go on the internet download some music and stuff I have another computer which I have windows on so I dont need windows on it also. I just need alittle help on were to start off I dont no if all linux has a desktop kind of interface but that is something that I would also like, slax had that. Ok guys thanks alot ahead of time

Linux, really, is just the kernel. The GUIs and Desktop are extra, on top of the kernel.

So, all distros of Linux have a GUi, it's just a matter of installing it.

Which one you want really depends on how much auto-detecting you want... You could go with something like Ubuntu, which has a lot of auto-detection, or Slack, which has almost none.

Welcome and good luck. There are plenty of Linux distributions that come with desktops. Which one to choose.....? That's up to you. Check out this site and this site as a start in your search for "your" distro. If the first one you try doesn't suit you, try another. It costs exactly $0 to try (maybe more depending on how much your time is worth).

Don't, however, keep trying different distros just because the first one doesn't work. If you have problems, come here and ask for help. Give any distro you try a few months anyway.

There's a good chance that you'll bork something up at first. Provide a partition on your 120GB hard drive for backups. Backup your working system often. It saves a lotta time when you misconfigure your NIC and can't get on the internet. Not that I've ever done that or anything. ;)

Just like these guys said. Give every distro you try a chance. Every distro has it's ups and downs but that is what make linux fun and adventrous. Good luck and Welcome to the world of Linux.

Ok guys thanks alot I have started looking already :)

I have decided that im going to try suse thank you for your help and links guys:)

Have fun with it! And remember, if you have any questions, we're just a forum post away.

That is a good choice. YaST is supposed to be a great package manager. If you like it I would suggest Going to a place like amazon and maybe getting a book on it. Or your local book store may have something on it.