Want To Try My Hand At Linux

[HoboBen]

Any advice on what version to start with?

 

Where to get it?

 

Thanks

[Guest ajmatson]

Ubuntu is one of the easiest to start with. Most hardware will run out of the box.

[O(V)eGA_l2el)]

The links below will direct you to Ubuntu, Fedora, and Mandriva downloads, respectively. All three have bootable images that can be "burnt" to cd or dvd; said bootable images can be tested without installation. Each one is very user friendly.

 

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

http://fedoraproject.org/en/get-fedora

http://www.mandriva.com/

[dr_bowtie]

just search for Linux distros and try as many as you can...I prefer to try them all to find out which one I like the best...

 

I like PC Linux 2007/2008

[suchuwato]

+1 for Ubuntu. It's pretty sweet.

[Andrewr05]

Ubuntu is almost idiot proof, give it a try.

 

If you aren't worried about time you can even order free discs of the Ubuntu distribution.

 

I've got quite a few, it comes with the live version and the install versions of the discs.

[HoboBen]

Thanks guys, I'll give a ubuntu a shot and go from there.

 

Just went to site and it has 32bit and 64. How would I find out which is best for me. Pros/Cons of each?

Edited February 8, 2009 by HoboBen

[cold_snipe]

Thanks guys, I'll give a ubuntu a shot and go from there.

 

Just went to site and it has 32bit and 64. How would I find out which is best for me. Pros/Cons of each?

well that depends on what you're running. if you have a 64-bit capable processor you might as well go for 64bit.

 

remember, if you go the ubuntu route, to EXPLORE! dont be scared to open up the command line and play around. if you want something where you get more control and more hands-on experience you could switch to a different distro after having a taste with ubuntu (slackware or gentoo are two distros i'd recommend (or if you really have a lot of free time, you could try linux from scratch)).

[rivalary]

I recommend Linux Mint, which is based off of Ubuntu.

It comes with flash, codecs, DVD support and very nice customizations out of the box. Very good for a new user, and convenient for the experienced.

http://www.linuxmint.com

[Guest ajmatson]

I would go for 32-bit to start because some software you need to install you really have to dig to find 64-bit versions and sometimes have to build your own packages however, 32-bit version are all over the place.

[labatt_splatts]

yeah definately ubuntu, there is great support for it as well.

 

if you want to try others this test is kind of cool

http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/

[HoboBen]

Ordered the 32 bit by mail, that'll give me 4-10 weeks of research before it arrives. So long as I dont' get lazy or bored, am hoping to have a pretty good grasp by the time it gets here.

 

I'm sure lotsa questions are coming.

 

Thanks again guys.