Linux - Which distribution for a beginner?

[msd]

In a previous life (before law school), I was a developer, working exclusively on Windows. In other words, I am computer knowledgeable...but know little about non-Windows platforms (and those of you chortling "then why do you think you're computer knowledgeable" can just pipe down ).

I am totally sick of Windows and would like to dip my feet in the forbidden pool of the darker side...Linux.

So here's the question...if you were making a recommendation about which distribution/desktop manager to install, what would it be?

Keep in mind the following:

1) I am not the only computer user in the house - whatever goes on the machine has to be usable by the not as computer-savvy wife

2) Most important things are mail / browsing / ability to work in an office package of some flavor (games, development totally unimportant)

Lastly, I know this topic has the ability to bring out some strongly entrenched opinions. I really hope this thread does not become a vehicle for this kind of stuff. I am just really looking for some open and considerate advice from people who are looking to help. Let's please not get a thread closed that has my name as originator.

Thanks in advance for all responses. Looking forward to trying something different,

Matt

 

[Jeranon]

Distributons I would choose in order of preference considering your position.

Suse or Mandrake (too close to call. I'd say Suse, others may say otherwise)
Red Hat
Knoppix
Slackware

I suggest trying before you start formatting, so try and use a LiveCD first to get your feet wet and see which distro you'd like (some provide one, some might not). A LiveCD is a bootable CD that starts up the system... all from CD, and you can do all manner of stuff "out of the CD" as long as the CD provides the stuff to do.

With regard to desktop and useability.... it doesn't really matter (which is a somewhat inflamatory thing to say ). KDE is prettier than GNOME, but GNOME is perhaps more targetted at useability, but its useability is not the same as Windows' useability (it's more a nod towards Apple). I run whichever I feel like using (a few months ago, it was GNOME, right now it is KDE). You can run GNOME apps on KDE or KDE apps in GNOME. It doesn't really matter. If I were to say which is better, I'd say KDE is a nose in front as of right now.

Email: KDE provides KMail, GNOME provides Evolution. Or you could just use Mozilla Thunderbird instead.
Browser: KDE provides Konquerer, GNOME provides Galeon. Or you could just use Mozilla Firefox instead.
Office package: OpenOffice is the big free suite. There are other apps that you might like to try and they'll usually come with the distro.

 

[Elephant]

For starters, download and burn Knoppix. Reboot, and you have a chance to get a look at the Linux desktop without touching your hard drive.

Aside from that, you might want to look into dual-booting if your wife has an attachment to the way she does things in Windows.

 

[Zulithe]

Well, just how much are you willing to learn? If you want to "learn" Linux (and not just run it) then you should get one of the more hardcore distros. Learning how Linux works under the hood will work in your favor in the long run when you run into problems (which I promise will be harder to work out for a relative newbie than problems in Windows). Plus, the real fun about Linux is that it's more of a hobby OS than the mainstream Windows/Mac OS -- but that doesn't mean it's less capable, quite the contrary, as I'm sure you're aware!

I personally like Gentoo, but you could go Slackware. These distros have pretty lengthy installs that typically need a lot of user-input, ESPECIALLY Gentoo which will have you compiling most of your software yourself. It's all automated though, not nearly as difficult as it sounds, the only downside is the amount of time some programs take to compile. Depending on how fast your machine is, this could virtually be no problem whatsoever.

Considering your background I don't think you would have much difficulty going this route. You will come to find that Linux itself is not much different from a beefed-up version of DOS. Being able to administrate your Linux system through the command-line interface is a necessity.

Your wife will be very capable of using Gentoo once it is completely setup. It will work just like any other Linux distro, complete with the latest generation desktop managers and kernel, KDE is remarkably similar to Windows, so no problems there. And when she isn't using it, you can do the various accasional updates yourself. If you choose Gentoo, it has one of the best package management systems of any distro I have used, and still remains my favorite. Updates are insanely easy to do, even easier than in Windows XP once you learn the drill. Unlike a distro like Debian which have years-old packages on even their newest install CDs, Gentoo stays pretty cutting edge.

Gentoo also has every single Linux program you can imagine (except the non-Free ones) within it's package database which you can install at a moment's notice. KOffice, OpenOffice.org ... those should cover you for the Word Processing stuff. And for mail, yes, I prefer KMail (or Mozilla Thunderbird)

www.gentoo.org if you want to browse around.

Let us know what you decide!

 

[Fenlock]

what Zulithe said

just remember that gentoo is a source based distribution. you have to compile the programs after download, which can be an lengthy process. (some packages do exists precompiled though).

but if there is any geek in you still, you'll love gentoo.

/f