total newbie
 

ok guys go easy lol imma total linux newbie but im currently running windows xp but i wanan download and install linux ( let u decided which version si best for a total newbie ) i dun wanna burn to cd or dual boot my system just download and straight install

cheers guys

Go to this page. There's a lot of info there
http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major.
For me it was just trying different ones till I found the one that fit me the best. They're all good in their own way, some just feel better. I have several that I use but find Slackware fits like a glove. So experiment and have fun!!:)

ok mate im sounding like a total newbie here (which i am) but which slackware did u download and is it just a case on download and install ? the only reason im abit dodgy is i dun wanna install then totally fuck it all up cheers mate :P

You can't (as far as I know); you need to burn a CD/DVD so you can boot from that (bootable USB stick will probably also work, but I don't know how).

Debian
 

I would suggest Debian - you can just burn the the netinstall cd and download the rest of the packages -----

You could try..

http://goodbye-microsoft.com/

However, as you are a total newbie, I would strongly urge you to not to use debian. Get knoppix and use it as a live cd until you get used to linux, or try kubuntu, which will run as a live cd.

It's a personal preference thing. Like buying a car. Check out the sites and read the blurbs about their bells, whistles & functions. If you are worried about buggering up you system straight off the bat. Try a Live CD, like try before you buy, you'll see if the computer will work straight away with that particular distribution.

What I did before I finally installed was I went to the Newsagent and bought a few Linux mags with DVDs included and booted them up for a try. The other bonus to this is that you don't have to wait for the download and you get instant gratification.

Well, Debian may be just acceptable providing you're willingto take a learning curve. If you have some newer hardware, I absolutely advise against Slackware. If you like more of a natural progression, start from an a distro like Ubuntu,Mandriva, PCLinuxOS, Mepis, maybe Fedora, or anything that is based on those.