Starting linux

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I would like to try one of the Linux OS's. There seems to be too many to choose from. What is the best to start with, the easiest to load, configure, and use? Are there particular pieces of hardware that are compatible with each OS?

[RHLinuxGUY]

mandrake, but i think RedHat is more stable.

[kilgoretrout]

I would recommend mandrake as well. There is also a very good users forum if you run into problems:

http://www.mandrakeusers.org/index.php

You might also want to take a look at this beginners user guide from distrowatch:

http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major

[Karnevil9]

If you have a CD burner you can go to www.linuxiso.org and download free versions of just about any distribution you want to try. It may be not be the newest version, but usually the one just before the newest and it takes a little time to download. Red Hat, or their new version Fedora, Mandrake and SuSE are more new user friendly, though SuSE is a bit harder to get a free version of.

Some Hardware can be a problem, though most are supported, not all are. Wirelesss LAN systems have caused the most problems for me but all my other hardware, including USB printers, optical mouse, and USB ZIP drive were all supported, as well as my wired cable interent connection. If you are completely new to linux remember it is not M$, though on the surface, it is not much different, but you do have to learn somethings to work with it so find a good site to read about whichever distro you choose.

[LocoCoyote]

Try Koppix or better yet the Live -eval version of SuSE. This way you can try linux without installing it on your hard drive. Then if you like what you see, you can download and burn the iso files

[mairving]

Either Mandrake or Fedora.

[Karnevil9]

Live eval of SuSE if you can download it for free, is a good choice if you just want to give it a try, but since you can also download Mandrake and Fedora for free also, the only benefit is that you don't hvave to install it to the hardrive. You wouldn't have to repartition anything if you don't have any freespace available.

[bosco]

Mandrake is a great choice.

If you don't have broadband(like me), go to linuxcenteral.com and you can order the CD's for around $10 shipped.

[Dangermouse1]

In the UK there are several Linux mags on sale with various versions free on the cover CD.