Choosing a Distribution

Today's topic is choosing a distribution.

If you are new to Linux, the choice of distributions can seem overwhelming, but there are only a handful which are widely popular, and only a few of those that are geared towards new users. Many of the rest are special purpose or more suitable for advanced users.

Here is a brief list of the most popular new user distributions:

1. Ubuntu: Ubuntu has been designed with new users and Desktop use in mind. It is an easy to understand and use distribution.

2. Linux Mint: Mint is currently based on Ubuntu and it has been created to be even more user friendly and ready to go after the initial install. An excellent choice for those new to Linux.

3. Mandriva: Mandriva is a popular and good distribution also aimed at Desktop user. I used its predecessor, Mandrake Linux for several years.

4. Fedora: Fedora is the community version of Red Hat Linux. It is a good Desktop choice, but may not be as user friendly out of the box as the others, although it really doesn't take much to learn it.

Once you have decided on a distribution, the only other big choice is which Desktop environment to use. The two most widely used are Gnome and KDE.

Gnome is more similar to a Mac interface and is generally simple, but it is somewhat different from the standard Windows look and feel.

KDE is usually the Desktop chosen by those who favor a more Windows like system, as it places things more as Windows does.

Most distributions come with options for obtaining either a Gnome or KDE version of that distribution, plus either can be added to a system with the other if desired.

Keep in mind that each distribution has its own package management system for updates and software installations, and it is generally wise to stay within using that system, at least until you are more experienced in using and managing Linux.