I know this is an opinionated (and loaded) question, but I'm going to ask it.

I'm new to Linux (download a LiveCD right now for the first time), and I'd like to know what the best version to start out with is for a newbie user. I'm a "Windows only" person, having used nothing else.

So what's easy? Cheap? I thought that the various distros were free, but I think I remember some for sale.

Any advice? I just finished the Ubuntu LiveCD, so I'm going to try it right now.

Thanks. ))

There are tonnes of opinions on this question.

The best one is the one you like, and the one that fits your needs. -- your windows experience be it great or small means pretty much nothing when using Linux

They all fit someones idea of easy, but probably not yours. Most Linuxes are gratis, some comercial Linuxes charge for services and support related to their Distribution.

Advice:

Have fun, don't give up, have an open mind, LEARN

Hi, and welcome to LQ!

In terms of "cheap" you're already on track (it's free), and "user friendly"
is certainly something ubuntu is being acclaimed for. That aside, you'll
get as many opinions as there are distros. Have a look at our members choice
page, and read the discussion threads.

Cheers,
Tink

for starting out i would continue with ubuntu since you are used to it a little but go with the harddrive install. Those distros that you saw that cost money were probably cd's which the company will ship you that has the iso already burned. But downloading the iso and burning it your self is totally free except for the cost of the disc(which isnt much at all if you buy them in bulk).

welcome to the world of LQ Faq, and Linux. keep in mind we were all newbies at one time or an other

live CDs are a great way to get your feet wet without really doing anyhthing. i personally thing ubuntu is a good start, but is rather gimped in the way of linux. i like Knoppix better for my live CDs.

as for a newbie, i sujest starting with the rpm line of distros like Fedora Core (FC5 now) SuSe (this has both a paid vs and a free vs) and CentOS 4.x. CentOS is just Red Hat enterprise for FREE.

so enjoy and have fun. ask all the questions you can think of, keep your mind open and remember LINUX is not Windows and thank the gods for that.