Is there a good Linux distro for a novice?

[jasong]

I'm hoping to convert totally to Linux, but I'm a little fearful.

I need a Linux distro that can run Wine passably. I would really like something that can handle media files well.(That's the biggie). Another biggie is I want to be able to transfer my email and my web links. Lastly, and I may be confused, can Linux handle NTFS hard drives? (The type that's supposed to have more functionality than FAT32)

Your help is appreciated.

[Digital Parasite]

I've heard Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntu.com/) is fairly good for newbies. You can download a "live" CD and boot your machine using that to try it out before having to install/removing anything on your current system.

Transfer bookmarks and e-mail depends on what software you are using. Many Linux distributions can read NTFS partitions, but won't write to them. It is possible but you have to install and manage some software yourself.

If you want to move entirely to Linux anyways, it is better to use one of the common Linux filesystems like ext3.

[jasong]

I've heard Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntu.com/) is fairly good for newbies. You can download a "live" CD and boot your machine using that to try it out before having to install/removing anything on your current system.

Transfer bookmarks and e-mail depends on what software you are using. Many Linux distributions can read NTFS partitions, but won't write to them. It is possible but you have to install and manage some software yourself.

If you want to move entirely to Linux anyways, it is better to use one of the common Linux filesystems like ext3.
What about Xandros? It was advertised in TigerDirect as being for "mainstream" users. Of course that could've been just to convince people to shell out the $80 bucks to buy the cd.

[moddolicous]

Ubuntu is probably the best for noobs IMO. The new Fedora is also pretty good, but I'd give Ubuntu a try. You can also give Damn Small Linux a try (50mb ISO).

[jasong]

Ubuntu is probably the best for noobs IMO. The new Fedora is also pretty good, but I'd give Ubuntu a try. You can also give Damn Small Linux a try (50mb ISO).
Possibly silly question:

Would DC stuff run faster with Damn Small Linux? Or would it be too much trouble for a novice?

[Fozzie]

you won't know that it might be hard at first but evry DC project that supports linux will have a readme on how to run it under linux.

Download MS Virtual server and run one of the linux OSes as a VPC then you can see how it will work and if you can get on with it. If you can't there's no problem as you have your host M$ OS intact.

Take the plunge or not is up to you.

[Chinasaur]

DSL is not a newbie distro..although it can be used by newbies. Distro size does not equal optimizations that equate to more units.

I always had good luck with Mandrake and Libranet for fastest calc times on mixed hardware. Given that Ubuntu is a Debian derivative (you will learn what that means as you learn more) and very popular, you might go that way. Mandrake, or is it Mandriva now, is also a good first choice to learn on.

Remember, the Window manager you choose (KDE, Gnome, FCE, IceWM) is NOT Linux..it's the Window manager. What you are really concerned about is software installation on the distro you choose. RPM, AptGet, etc are what you will be interfacing with.

My recommendation is go with a Debian based distro that has lots of support so you can ask questions in a threat-free environment.

Ubuntu first. Libranet second.

One last thing. Back up all your data and install a Distro a week. Play. Experiment. If you know your data is secure, you can install a distro a day and find out what you like, and don't like, about each ones package mgnt and bundled Window Managers and apps. Don't be in a hurry to decide on what fits you best. Take your time and enjoy the journey for what it is.

Luck.

[moddolicous]

Possibly silly question:

Would DC stuff run faster with Damn Small Linux? Or would it be too much trouble for a novice?
On Damn small linux, I dont think so. But if you load a 64-bit os on a 64-bit platform, I think you would get a nice boost.

[n7vxj]

Jason, just my 2 cents.I have always been a Windows junkie.I received SuSe on some DVD's that I got for freefrom Novell, and decided to give it a whirl,if for no other reason, to see what Linux was all about.It was quite a learning experience, although, one I enjoyed very much.I ran it for over a year, on my duallie.The only reason that I went back to W2K, was the fact that the DC program I wanted to run didn't have a Linux version.The truth be told, if I change to another DC program that has been ported for Linux, I will not even think twice about wiping the hard drive, and going back to SuSe.Like was said before, take your time,and try different flavors of Linux, and find the one that you like best!!!The end result will be something that you totally enjoy, and will be comfortable with running!!!

[jasong]

Jason, just my 2 cents.I have always been a Windows junkie.I received SuSe on some DVD's that I got for freefrom Novell, and decided to give it a whirl,if for no other reason, to see what Linux was all about.It was quite a learning experience, although, one I enjoyed very much.I ran it for over a year, on my duallie.The only reason that I went back to W2K, was the fact that the DC program I wanted to run didn't have a Linux version.The truth be told, if I change to another DC program that has been ported for Linux, I will not even think twice about wiping the hard drive, and going back to SuSe.Like was said before, take your time,and try different flavors of Linux, and find the one that you like best!!!The end result will be something that you totally enjoy, and will be comfortable with running!!!
That sounds like some excellent advice.:thumbs:

At the moment, I'm in "build up your assets" mode, won't actually be in "buy a computer" mode for another 2-3 months.

One thing that I definitely agree with, though you may not have stated it outright, is that the choices are more limited for Linux than for Windows. What I would really like to see is a Windows program that can network more than one cpu. I think they already have one, but the cost per cpu is outrageous.