debian or Ubuntu

[Burnman]

I have a Toshiba 2430 P4 laptop running XP and would like to try setting it up as dual boot. I have the Knoppix live distro and runs fine and detects all my hardware, I have read that Knoppix basically becomes Debian when installed on the HDD but I have also heard good reports about Ubuntu being a popular OS. Bearing in mind that I have always used MS systems what are the differences between ubuntu and debian ( just a rough idea not detailed ). Also would you recommend using partitionmagic 8 to set up the dual boot or do it manually? If I just want to install linux to allow me to have a backup os and to learn how to use Linux what is the minimum size for partition needed for the install?

[glc]

Ubuntu is based on Debian. It comes with the Gnome GUI. Kubuntu is the same thing with the KDE GUI. Either one will be easier for a newb to get running than Debian itself.

http://www.pcmech.com/show/os/903/
http://www.pcmech.com/show/os/917/
http://www.pcmech.com/show/os/943/

[faulkner132]

The install link glc provided above is for Ubuntu 5.10.
Here is a link to the updated guide for the newest version, 6.06: http://www.132solutions.com/ubuntu.php

[Burnman]

thanks for the replies, I have decided to go for Ubuntu 6.06. What is the average partition size needed for an install?

[faulkner132]

Originally Posted by Burnman I have decided to go for Ubuntu 6.06.

Good choice.

Originally Posted by Burnman What is the average partition size needed for an install?

It's all explained in the link I provided in my post above.