I'm trying to enter the 'linux world' and want some advice on which one you think is best if I have no previous contact with this OS. I know it has it's difficulties, that's why I also want to know where I can find info on how to give mu first steps succesfuly.

THANKSss

Well, there must be dozens of threads on this qn by now if you use the LQ search function.
It tends to lead to people recommending what they know (hopefully not to a flame fest).
Howere, having said that, I believe some of the common recommendations inc RH Fedora Core (currently v7), Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Xubuntu, Mandriva.
I'm sure you'll get lots of replies to this.
You should read this short article though: http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm (Linux is NOT Windows). A very good comparison article.
For general Linux reference/tutorial, try this: http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html.gz (aka Rute).

Welcome to LQ and good luck

from what i hear, it's based on preference, some prefer one over another, which is fine. When I wanted the "switch", someone recommended Mandrake (Now known as Mandriva), and ever since I tried that, I was hooked on it. For me, I love Mandriva and the KDE workstation.
That may be best for you, or another distro that is user friendly, and may be more prone to newer people. I'm not sure what other distros are like that. Please note, I'm not offending linux distros, I simply "don't know", being I am still in a way, a noob.
So if you want, try out Mandriva, or some other distro that others talk about that sounds appealing.
If you've used windows, especially for some time, you will of course, notice some differences; for good or for bad. Be patient. Like the link says, Linux is not Windows. It is not saying "it's better", but instead, it's saying "different".

A small tip if you want. My introduction to Linux was this: play a linux based game; listen to music. Generalizing it, do something on there that makes it fun or sets you in the right mood. I noticed doing stuff like that helps on taking care of tasks, being more patient with it. do something on linux that is fun, something to bring you back and keep trying.
When I first used Linux, it was a 'fart around with' thing. I wasn't even thinking of replacing windows; but rather play "clanbombers" and "Lbreakout2" and of course, the music
sorry if that got lengthy.
hope it works out for you. I and many others are here to help you if and when you come across any questions or problems.
Welcome aboard.

Thank you both for your quick and very helpfull answers. I know that sometimes answering this kind of questions may be very boring for you, and sory if I was repetitive (though I have to say I did search for previous threads, with obviously no luck at all). Thank you again and I hope I'll be up and running in no time, and eventually be answering as much as asking... hehehe

Well it is very true, you can expect to get fully opiniatied answers to this question, and i would usually recommend one of the Buntu's and would do so for you... Lotsa support, easy, and fun. Good Luck, MJ

Download both the Ubuntu and Kbuntu live/install CDs and check them out.
Consider installing the one you like.

There is no right answer, but my own very strong opinion would be Ubuntu or Kubuntu. Since I prefer Debian I'd like to think that counts for something.

I've tried Debian, Ubuntu/Kubuntu, Fedora, and Gentoo. While they were all extremely good, I feel Ubuntu/Kubuntu did the best job of being user friendly & simple to set up.

Plus you can use the CD as a "Live CD", which means you can boot the entire operating system off the CD-ROM without even touching your hard drive! A definite plus if you're feeling uncertain and don't want to commit to trying to install Linux yet.

There are many great distros but if you want one that ends up with less maintenance I recommend Fedora. I've installed SUSE Mandriva Xandros Fedora Yellow Dog Ubuntu Kubuntu etc. I love 'em all. I usually end up back with Fedora personally but am typing this in Kubuntu. I strongly prefer KDE in every case. These are only my opinions and experiences and many get ubuntu going faster than anything, but after getting linux setup I end up happiest with Fedora.

YMMV (you're milage probably WILL vary)

im new as well, i liked xandros, but thats because it was alot like windoz, then i downloaded ubuntu, kubuntu and xubuntu. i set up a dule-boot (the ubuntu disk will walk you through it) so i could use ubuntu or windows, not loosing any thing in between. i think that switching between the three -buntus showed me lots about whats a desktop enviroment and whats an operating system. likethe previous poster, i realy like kde (k desktop enviroment)
you can also get thee latest version on Knoppix its a live cd, so it never runs on the hard drive, and its a handy disk to have with you. you can access even pasword protected windows withit lol, (not that i would
try lots of them, but set up a duleboot so you can play worry free.

ubuntu as well as links to kubuntu and xubuntu here http://www.ubuntu.com/

I am new as well to Linux, been putting it off for years. I am a Registered Nurse but worked in the late 90's as Network Engineer, Novell NetWare 3.0 - 5.0, windows for workgroups, winNT3.51 and Win NT4. I avoided Linux when it hit big, got back into Nursing, I am a Psych Nurse, love working with Crazies. I am now looking to get back into Networking and want to install Linux to learn to Use and become expert for using as Servers and such. Any Recommendations on which version to download for those reasons.

Well, you've come to the right place. Just what we need!

Don't know much about servers, but Ubuntu do a server edition.

For a first time user I'd try Mint Linux, Dream Linux, Elive, maybe PC Linux...These should support mp3/DVD's up front with no DL'ing codecs/dvdcss etc, and sites like YouTube should work too.

Be aware that not all Linux OS systems work the same on all computers. I can't get PC Linux to fully work on any of my computers - no sound on one, no video on the other, but it's number one at DistroWatch so it works on most peoples computer You need to try 3 or 4 different ones to find one that you really like, and one that fits your particular computer.

How much RAM do you have ?

If you have less than 512 MB, alot of the 'standard' distributions will not work well.

Take a look at CENTOS, it's basically RedHat Enterprise Linux re-compiled and made free.. a good example of what you would find in a corporate setting.

Suse Enterprise Linux would be the other Big player.

Personally I run Debian on my Servers.

If you are familiar with Novel products, you might want to look at SuSE linux. They may have more support for their NetWare products, as they are owned by Novel. The September, 2007 Linux Pro Magazine has a disk for SuSE Linux Enterprise 10 SP1. It uses the same versions of RPMs as the openSUSE 10.1 repos. I tried it out but went back to OpenSUSE 10.2. OpenSUSE 10.3 is in beta now and is supposed to be better at supporting wireless devices.

If you want to install Linux on an old Pentium III laptop, then you may want to go with Xubuntu. It uses the Xfce4 rather than KDE or Gnome. Xfce4 is a lighter weight window manager and desktop environment, while still being a good desktop environment.