Questions about Linux?

Question

How user friendly is it? I have some spare time and was thinking about downloading it onto my desktop computer (which I don't really use anymore) as a side project. My dad is a computer engineer and says it's "user friendly" enough, but his definition of that is probably way different than most peoples'. I have a basic knowledge of computers, and know my way in and out of Windows. Give me any pointers or advice I should know about Linux. I will be using the one that you can download from their site. Thanks!

Answer 1

fedora or unbunto flavors are probaly the friendliest.



I;d personally go with fedora as the redhat's flaghsip enterprise product is based on fedora... So the knowledge could be come very usefull.



Linux engineers are in extreme demand for some reason. :)



learn about yum and repostires, this will help you update everything. No more libary hell...



also go here after installing

http://linuxbraindump.org/2007/08/05/10-must-haves-for-fedora-linux-and-how-to-install-them/



I forgot to add before, if you want to be lazy just download knoppix (runs off cd, no installation needed)...

Answer 2

I have used Fedora,Mandriva and Red hat in the past.

Now I use the new distro PCLinuxos.

PCLinuxos loaded all my hardware, including this modem, a speedtouch usb.

None of the others could use this modem.

Once on line it probably the best distro to download and install software, including graphics drivers. The installation is done for you, a bit like Windows update.

Linux Format magazine includes this distro most months.

You can run the distro live from the DVD, and if all is well, you can install it.

Answer 3

Well is not about friendly, is about what this operating system lets you do, in different way than windows, but the power flexibility of the terminal. if you're a beginner you can try ubuntu the most flexible distro for the end user.



http://www.ubuntu.com/

Answer 4

For a basic installation, Ubuntu works well, and has a good installation disk.



I'd suggest you look at vmware, and download that, as then you can run Linux in vmware without wrecking your windows installation.

Answer 5

Probably the most user friendly version of linux is Ubuntu. Check out their website: www.ubuntu.com for more info about the distribution.

Answer 6

ubuntu based distros are best for newbies I use linux mint cause it has the best stuff of ubuntu with all the extra goodies most distros leave out like, flash, java, nvidia, DVD playback, W32 codecs. plus its got its own software portal and still compatable with ubuntus repos. basicaly its the best or nearly the best of linux in a good size

Answer 7

It's not as bad as it used to be, a few years ago.