N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Hi everyone, I think I'm ready to start experimenting with linux on my desktop pc. Can anyone make suggestions on where/what to start with?

Thank you :)

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

i will suggest you ubuntu. It's one of the better documented distribution around, console need is reduced to a minimum and it's very easy to test etc. ubuntu.com, download and follow instruction to make a bootable usb or cd, reboot and test. not even need to install.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download

use the "try ubuntu" option for testing and if you don't like it, just reboot and remove cd/flash drive and you can come back to your old os.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Yeah, Ubuntu is the way to go. Would also recommend some programs for you to try: Emerald, Compiz, Docky, Cardapio, Wine, Playonlinux, Virtualbox. Use youtube to look them up.

To find nice themes: www.gnome-look.org

Good blog: www.omgubuntu.co.uk

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

ubuntu.


there are some live cd distributions around which you could try out before. also you could install free vmware player so that you can run it inside windows.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Linux Mint is another option mentioned in the many, many threads of users here who asked the same question you asked.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

Ubuntu is probably the right answer, but you might want to try Meego if you have netbook,or Smeego from SuSE

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

I'm guessing you're currently running some version of Windows. If so, and you have a multi-core CPU with at least 4GB of RAM (preferably 8GB), and the CPU supports the later generations of virtualization, I recommend running Ubuntu inside of VirtualBox.

That would be the best of both of your worlds, and most importantly, no rebooting involved.

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

OpenSuse is one of the best supported distros IMHO both by Suse themselves and by third party applications.

http://www.opensuse.org

Dead easy to install using any method you prefer.

rgds

Re: N900 user wants to explore linux on his desktop...
 

In my opinion, Ubuntu is too much "Windows-like"... oh, yes, is very, very noob-friendly, but if you want to learn something about Linux, I think you should try something else (like OpenSuse :) )