Ok going to dip myself in linux world for the first time any ideas ?

[foulmouth]

hey guys

going to load linux on my laptop for the first time want something fun and cool to use as i only use machine for net anyway

any suggestions

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Ubuntu has the best community support and very mature.

If you like eye-candy, then get Kubuntu (KDE) or if you like minimal eye-candy but clean looks (old-school), then Ubuntu is Gnome based.

KDE/Gnome are the graphical interfaces for the Linux. You get a couple of others too but you can ignore them as they are all looking more like KDE/Gnome.

But anyway, have fun and its highly addictive.

 

[splinter_watsup]

Ubuntu is the way to go I reckon its a beautiful Linux OS that works with everything.
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop

 

[ponder]

If you are going the ubuntu route wait a few days and download version 10.10

Also when installing ubuntu at the hard disk partitioning section be careful! Do not use entire disk, you want to resize your Windows partition and install Ubuntu on the empty space.

 

[foulmouth]

ahhh brilliant thanks guys alos just started downloading the other version now so will re download the 10.10 when its released

 

[Nod]

I would highly recommend do this with someone that have done it before.
If for no other reason but to increase your chances of doing it right, and in order learn something from some who have done it before.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Ubuntu.

Using it right now. Kicked windows off this laptop and into a virtual machine after it got infected with a poxy worm.

 

[Dean]

ahhh brilliant thanks guys alos just started downloading the other version now so will re download the 10.10 when its released

haha no need! Linux and all the installed apps/programs update themselves and getting a new version is no tougher than updating Firefox or Skype in Windows... all done in the background and only new stuff is downloaded/added.

 

[AfricanTech]

Try Linux Mint - it's built on top of Ubuntu so it has all the advantages of Ubuntu but it's more polished (apps logically organised, UI closer to how windows works, etc); sound drivers and such configured "out of the box".

Have fun.

 

[starring]

ubuntu maybe eyecandy and all, but its you are being spoonfed (just like windows), rather go for a more appealing distro like opensuse 11.3 or fedora 13, the former kicks butt on so many levels and the latter is full of eye candy stuff with all the bells and whistles that ubuntu and the likes comes with...i suggest you give them 3 a try and choose which one you are comfortable with

 

[Shayd]

You want to recommend a hard core distro for a noob, are you on drugs? Stick to Ubuntu 10.04 or 10.10 good to get your feet wet.

 

[starring]

You want to recommend a hard core distro for a noob, are you on drugs? Stick to Ubuntu 10.04 or 10.10 good to get your feet wet.

what on earth do drugs have to do with suggesting 'hard core' distro Shayd , i should be asking you that question for responding with such awe

Foul: depending on how fast u want your feet wetting em (cos eventually they have to dry, if you get my drift) rather opt for something that'll make you scratch your head, reinstall your distro every now and then, at least thats how i learned when i got started...i guess its different strokes for different folks

 

[foulmouth]

yeah...... well will try a few things out this weekend got an uncapped account and a lot of time

 

[jargon7]

hey guys

going to load linux on my laptop for the first time want something fun and cool to use as i only use machine for net anyway

any suggestions

Go with Linux Mint, really top Linux distro... see my signature for the link.

Do you know anything about Linux, ie. terminal etc?

 

[jargon7]

Try Linux Mint - it's built on top of Ubuntu so it has all the advantages of Ubuntu but it's more polished (apps logically organised, UI closer to how windows works, etc); sound drivers and such configured "out of the box".

Have fun.

Definately the best distro on my market at the moment by a far stretch.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Since when are OpenSuse and Fedora "hardcore"?

 

[kingrob]

Since when are OpenSuse and Fedora "hardcore"?

Fedora is VERY hardcore. After the initial install it asks you if you want to enable/disable the firewall, which might be too much for a newbie.

 

[stricken]

debian. base kernel install with boot loader. get networking going. get aptitude. apt-get build your system. once done. enjoy. you learn alot of linux by doing an oldschool install.

 

[kingrob]

debian. base kernel install with boot loader. get networking going. get aptitude. apt-get build your system. once done. enjoy. you learn alot of linux by doing an oldschool install.

I disagree. For most Windows users it will be too much of a shock & a worry that they're going back to the days of MS-DOS.

Rather get a user-friendly Ubuntu install for the first time & feel right at home....then later start tinkering with the terminal window.

 

[milomak]

Fedora is VERY hardcore. After the initial install it asks you if you want to enable/disable the firewall, which might be too much for a newbie.

blew me over seeing fedora and suse described as hardcore. that poster would have a heart attack after he was dead if he tried gentoo.