What Linux to install?

[Znupi]

What Linux build (or whatever is called) should I install? I just bought a new PC and it came with Fedora Core and I didn't quite like it, had to install Windows so Fedora Core is gone. Now, having a 160GB hard disk I can afford to reinstall a Linux OS, but which one? Suse has been recommended to me, also has been Slackware. I'm not an expert in Linux commands and sorts so I need a good graphical interface. I'll also need Gaim on it (since I'm a chat-freak), I tried to install it on Fedora Core but failed.

So... what Linux do you recommend? :)

My System: Intel Pentium DualCore 2.80Ghz, 512MB RAM, 160GB HardDisk, Asus Ati Radeon X550

[drhowarddrfine]

If you are brand new to Linux and want to learn, it might be better to go with Ubuntu, because it is easy to install, uses the Debian base, which many seem to like, and you can get closer to the "metal" if you want to without losing the graphical interface.

[Stephen Philbin]

Up until recently, I would have said Suse. I've been using it for quite a few years now and it was great for learning with. Though more recently, my opinion of it has taken quite a nose-dive. In more recent versions of Suse, Novell decided to make a number of "improvements" to the operating system and now just seems slower and more inconvenient than I've ever known it to be.

When I first made the switch to Suse, the thing that impressed me the most was it's handling of obtaining, maintaining and updating software. Now it see it's new and "improved" software updater as a monumental pain in the arse. Actually, I just remembered that about two days ago it just completely stopped working. So I suppose I'd best switch to a new operating system pretty quick.

I hope you don't mind, Znupi, but I'm gonna' jump on yer thread and also ask for suggestions for a different distribution to use. I'm reasonably experienced with Linux now, so I don't need any "ideal for moving from Windows" type of distribution. Though I'll still be using it for media like playing music and videos etc..

My computer has a 64 bit Intel Celleron D processor with 768 MB of cheap RAM and I'll be giving the new distro the run of a 40 and an 80 GB HDD. Suggestions anyone?

[NogDog]

I have not tried it yet, but from a little reading I've done lately I'm thinking about trying OpenBSD (http://www.openbsd.org/) on an older PC of mine to see what it's like to install and use. I'm impressed with the stated goals of emphasizing security and solidity. If I get around to it this weekend, I'll let you know what I find out.

[drhowarddrfine]

Don't do it. While it's goals are good, if you want to learn a BSD, you should use FreeBSD. It's easier to install programs, maintain, better known, etc. etc. Most of the programs are in packages or ports but I don't think OpenBSD is as up on the ports as FBSD.

iow, you lose out on some things with OpenBSD but FBSD has everything you need. And there is nothing wrong with its security and stableness.

[PineSolPirate]

For a beginner I recommend Ubuntu . Take a look at screenshots of Ubuntu and Kubuntu. Whichever one looks the most comfortable to you, get it. The difference is the desktop environment (gnome and kde respectively) and it can be a big deal when you first start using Linux. Both are just flavors of Ubuntu and are easy to install, easy to use, and have great support forums and docs.

Screenshots
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop
http://shots.osdir.com/slideshows/slideshow.php?release=752&slide=4&title=kubuntu+6.10+screenshots

Downloads
http://www.ubuntu.com/products/GetUbuntu/download?action=show&redirect=download
http://www.kubuntu.org/download.php

If you do install it you might want to get Automatix (http://www.getautomatix.com/) for easy install of DVD decoders, media codecs, etc.

[Stephen Philbin]

Well I had a search on google for sites giving info on distributions of Linux and found http://distrowatch.com/. I had a look at their opinion of what the top ten Linux distributions are (http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major), but I decided I didn't like the sound of any of them. So I decided to just put up with Suse and just upgrade to Suse 10.2 in the hopes that it's much better than 10.1 has been so far. I much preferred Suse 9.3, but I dislike the sound of the other distros more than I dislike using Suse 10.1.