Linux? Which one?

[Spyros]

Hi,
I know some of the forum members use Linux as their OS.

Which one would you advice me to use?

Please bear in mind:
-It should be free.
-I know (almost) nothing about it and need the easiest one (for Windows users).
-I want to install it, not a live-CD.
-I need it for business use (documents, internet, e-mail etc. - I don't care about video, music, games etc.)

Thanks for any help :)

[Mrkvonic]

Hello,

You could try Ubuntu. It is both live CD and installation CD. You boot into live session, check things out - if you like it, you install.

http://www.ubuntu.com/

I have also written a tutorial, if you'd like to try.

Mrk

[Spyros]

{QUOTE->
I have also written a tutorial, if you'd like to try.
Mrk <-QUOTE}

Yes, please. Where can I get it from?

Also, about Ubuntu: Someone advised me to use Kubundu because it is closer to "the Windows look". Do you agree or should I try Ubuntu first?

[Mrkvonic]

Hello,

Link in my sig, under computer software.

Kubuntu has a KDE desktop manager, which is visually closer to Windows, but it is heavier on resources - and by default, KDE works with single click rather than double click.

Ubuntu has a Gnome desktop manager, which is lighter, but a bit different from Windows - but nothing a Windows user cannot understand in 20 seconds.

Actually, my article is about Kubuntu ...

Another difference is different software the two distributions come with. For example, KDE users mainly K applications (Konqueror, Kopete, K3B...). Gnome uses other applications.

The default text editor in Kubuntu is kate. In Ubuntu, it's gedit.

All in all, both have everything you need, both are simple and robust and you will quickly get a grasp of them.

Warning: Do NOT give up after 10 minutes if things go wrong! Think how long it took you to get into Windows. Give it at least a week or two of active work before you draw any conculsions.

Mrk

[Meltdown]

This thread (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=164627) goes through various Linux distros. As well as the *buntus, Linux Mint, Mepis and PCLinuxOS are all fairly easy.

[Alphalutra1]

{QUOTE-> Hi,
I know some of the forum members use Linux as their OS.

Which one would you advice me to use?

<-QUOTE}
Try out PC-BSD (http://www.pcbsd.org/) which is very easy, and comes with KDE

Or, you can try out ubuntu which is decent.

Cheers,

Alphalutra1

[Cerxes]

...or maybe an other BSD product such as DesktopBSD (http://www.desktopbsd.net/index.php?id=31). Different approach regarding how to download/install packages compared to PC-BSD. But both are based on FreeBSD. /Cerxes.

[Meltdown]

Also worth having a look at KnoLinux (http://knolinux.com/). The distro reviews are thorough, with lots of screenshots for the install process (like Mrk's site) - great for dispelling any pre-install jitters.

[Spyros]

Thank you for all your help. :thumb:

I've downloaded ubuntu and tried it as LiveCD.
Once my old PC is fixed (probably needs a new Hard Disc) I'm going to install it.
I liked what I saw this far :o

[FastGame]

{QUOTE-> Thank you for all your help. :thumb:

I've downloaded ubuntu and tried it as LiveCD.
I liked what I saw this far :o <-QUOTE}

Easy to please huh ;D hehe, J/K

Checkout PCLinuxOS (http://pclinuxos.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1)