Which version of linux??????

[xid]

Don't consider this the 'definitive' answer, but here's my 2 cents:

Mandrake 9.0 -- extremely easy install and use
Slackware 8.1 -- more for the linux power-user
Red Hat 8.0 -- very good support, large user base, lots of distro-specific linux apps are written for it
Debian 3.0r1 -- giant distro (7cds), large user base
Knoppix 3.1 -- good bootable cd distro, great if you want it copied to the hd
OpenBSD -- not really linux, but based on the BSD kernel. outstanding security, performance... amazing for webservers
FreeBSD -- similar to OpenBSD, has arguably the fastest TCP/IP stack

All of the isos for these can be found on www.linuxiso.org except for the OpenBSD one -- they usually sell the cds but you can find unofficial (still legal) cd images via google.

[Uhu]

I agree to what thread_killer said concerning flame wars and religious zeal. Because of this I will not recommend any distribution.

Personally I've startet with Linux in 1994 using SuSE and I'm still using it on my private computers. At work I use Red Hat on several servers since a couple of years. Although there are some differences both distris are satisfying for me. Once they are up and running, you won't see any big difference. They are both just GNU/Linux systems.

In the next time i plan to try out the Debian distribution for two reasons:

1. Debian is not as commercial, as the two distris mentioned above.
2. It is said, that because of its packet management system it shall be easier to preserve an actual system over *years* including all security updates. I'm curious about it.

h@rdb@ll just as a tip: If you want to see how Linux works on your computer without installing it, have a look at http://www.heise.de/ct/ . This magazine contains a CD-ROM containing a completely configured Linux called "Knoppix" (http://www.knoppix.de) able to boot and run completely from CD. It should be available in the netherlands too. But you should hurry - on monday a new c't edition will appear.

Uhu

P.S. After I've seen the many intermediate posts while I've been writing I want to point out: Knoppix is not a distribution. It is a highly preconfigured Debian GNU/Linux. Anyways it is ingenious!
... just to avoid misunderstandings.

[djc314159]

I've tried most linux systems over the years, FreeBSD too. I liked Slackware and FreeBSD the best for most ot the last five years. About 6 mos. ago I built a new computer around a K7S5A motherboard, which has a built in internet connection and sound. But, I can't get either Slackware or FreeBSD to work with my new system; incidentally Window$xp wouldn't work initially until I got some updates; good thing I had my old computer to get the updates. I then decided to try SuSE 8.0. It worked great and recognized all of my hardware automatically. The only problems I've had are burning CDROMS and the fact that the C stuff didn't support fortran 77. I fixed the C problem by downloading the latest GNU C compiler; now I have two C systems installed with no problems. By the way SuSE 8.0 cost me $40 as opposed to M$ xp for almost $100. I think that upgrading SuSE every two years at a cost of 20$/yr. is where I'm headed.

[h@rdb@ll]

Thnkx guys for all the response. I think I’m gonna try several distros on my box.
Probably starting with Redhat 8.0 and Mandrake (Dual Boot) Hoping that I’m finally get rid of that annoying blue screen.


Anyway thnx to you all!!

[yanksfan]

well if you don't feel like learning linux there's also Lindows....which is supposed to be like Linux on Wine (no really, wine is an emulator to run Windows programs).

Only downside is it's like 99 buck or something....just a thought...

-Mike

[h@rdb@ll]

Thnx Uhu,

Yesterday went directly to the store and bought the magazine. Must say its
" it is ingenious! ". I also will buy a SuSe version. LOL
Anyway thnx to you all!!