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What linux distribution is best for new guy

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Name: lxggogettas
Date: October 6, 2009 at 10:07:25 Pacific
OS: Linux
CPU/Ram: 1.5 GHz / 1013 MB
Product: Apple MACBOOK
Subcategory: General
Comment:

I have a laptop and wanted toinstall linux
distri's from a CD.
I want to use linux as a way of improving my
computer knowledge. I am a newbie and i have
checked out many linux distributions. I cant
make up my mind. Which is best for a newbie
like me and is free? from my research I have
found that Ubuntu or Mandriva would work fine
but which one would work best for me,
possibly one with good GUI since am not used
to command use. Which free software should I
get? will be glad to get some advice on this.
thanks guys



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Response Number 1
Name: Pater
Date: October 6, 2009 at 10:58:18 Pacific
Reply:

Best is to download LiveCD's which run without install, therefore you can get a feel for Linux.

I quite like PuppyLinux.........................


1

Response Number 2
Name: tomast
Date: October 6, 2009 at 11:07:16 Pacific
Reply:

That's easy...
MINT 7

http://www.linuxmint.com/


2

Response Number 3
Name: jefro
Date: October 6, 2009 at 12:56:57 Pacific
Reply:

I think what he means is Live CD's. There are many distro's (see distrowatch.com) that offer both an install cd/dvd as well as what is called LIVE cd's. You boot to the cd and linux will run completely from the cd/dvd.

Second or maybe tied is using a virtual machine. A VM is a software computer that runs like any windows application. You simply install and then you can have both windows and linux at the same time. No need to worry about any grub error or mbr or other file loss.

That is the best way to start. You should stay way from dual boot until you know more. People tend to bork their system the first 20 times.

Playing to the angels
Les Paul (1915-2009)


2

Response Number 4
Name: jam
Date: October 6, 2009 at 16:20:43 Pacific
Reply:

I'm a big fan of Mint....SimplyMepis is another good choice.

Linux Mint 7

SimplyMepis


1

Response Number 5
Name: larryf215
Date: October 6, 2009 at 17:14:34 Pacific
Reply:

is the laptop the one listed in your post?

larry


2

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Response Number 6
Name: T-R-A
Date: October 7, 2009 at 21:48:00 Pacific
Reply:

"People tend to bork their system the first 20 times."

And some of us tend to do it around the first 40 or so...

In all seriousness, stick with a live distro until you're completely comfortable with one. You will eventually have to learn some command-line before you would commit to a distro, and there are hundreds out there to choose from:

http://www.livecdlist.com


1

Response Number 7
Name: likelystory
Date: October 8, 2009 at 00:28:30 Pacific
Reply:

I use Mint 7 myself as I too don't yet know much about Linux. Haven't tried Puppy yet but keep meaning too.


LOL My first try at dual boot turned into a triple, 98se, 2000, and XP Home. Not one hitch. I thought I was all that. Later I tried Xp Home and Xp Pro 64. I might as well have run that sytem over with my truck I botched it so bad.


Likely

I want to go like my grandfather did. Peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming at the top of my longs like the passangers in his car.


1

Response Number 8
Name: lxggogettas
Date: October 11, 2009 at 11:52:42 Pacific
Reply:

@ Larry f215. Yup that's my laptop. I got an Apple but am
running Vista on it.


1

Response Number 9
Name: lxggogettas
Date: October 11, 2009 at 12:26:26 Pacific
Reply:

Thanks to y'all for the posts. Am so happy. But the
recommendations. Please Give me some reasons why i should
do what you say.
@ Pater. What's good about Puppy Linux
@ Jam @ tomast. what about Linuxmint(pros and cons over
Ubuntu).
I know quite little about Commands.
I was thinking of Ubuntu(CD boot)


1

Response Number 10
Name: SkipCox
Date: October 11, 2009 at 15:27:28 Pacific
Reply:

Mint is based on Ubuntu...go for it.

Skip


0

Response Number 11
Name: lxggogettas
Date: October 14, 2009 at 07:31:04 Pacific
Reply:

Thanks Guys think i will go for Ubuntu and i should also get a
mint CD. Whichever works out will be fine for me


0

Response Number 12
Name: najitech
Date: October 14, 2009 at 08:39:39 Pacific
Reply:

Mint Linux is a newer version of Ubuntu; you don't really have to get both, although that's up to you. I have Mint installed by itself on one of my PCs. I really don't do a whole lot with it, but it's easy to navigate, and has an attractive GUI ... you'd like it.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4


0

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