Easiest Linux Question

[marykmusic]

I'm just reading about Linux and want to know what is the easiest distributor to use? I don't know dos and need a simple one to try out. Thanks, Mary

[buckesfeld]

Mary,

openSUSE is very easy. Ubuntu is also considered a good beginner's Linux.
I recommend you grab a Live CD of openSUSE and play with it. A Live CD allows you to try openSUSE without installing it.

We have some beginner's guides here:
http://en.opensuse.org/Category:Beginners_Guides

HTH
Uwe

[FeatherMonkey]

Depending on usage will really depend on the answer. Many like Suse due to its nice configuration module, many find the support on the Ubuntu forums the required need.

Then you have things like Mint and a couple of others that may be easier on multimedia aspects.

The difficulty is trying to not think like the OS you know the easier you find to think new the easier any of the popular distro's will be.

At the end of the day it is highly likely regardless of what distro you choose you will not encounter a wall to climb. If I was to recommend one then I would recommend one that you know you can get real support for i.e one a friend/work colleague uses. If this isn't an option then I would suggest any of them really I doubt you won't get to a point where you think this is too **** difficult or why doesn't this just work on any distro.

The question really comes down to do you wish to learn if yes then it'll become easier. If it is a replacement for windows then in quite a few instances windows will suit better.

At the end of the day they are all similar and based on the same it is in the configuration, certain booting aspects and package mangers they differ.

Suse won't let you down you should find plenty of people willing to help you overcome any hurdles, but the same can be said for the other distro's.

[TaraIkeda]

Indeed the biggest thing going for linux is its live CD's, you can try linux without even touching your computer.

[markcynt]

I recommend Linux Mint to Linux newcomers.

Download - Linux Mint

The Main edition is easiest to use.

> I'm just reading about Linux and want to know what is the easiest
> distributor to use?

ask a million and you might get 900,000 different answers..

i go along with the idea of just popping in the Live CD of any and all
distros who have one...give'em a test drive..

none will be automatically EASY..

what are you used to? Vista? how was your transition from earlier
Windows to it? not easy right, and it was in the same family..

in Linux the names are all different...for, example don't bother to
look for a blue e (for Explorer) when you wanna go on line...or a w if
you wanna write a letter, as there is no MS-Word (but there is a GREAT
OpenOffice Writer), etc etc etc...easy, but you have to learn the new
words, new concepts, etc..

some folks think the Mac offers the easiest personal computer on the
market, but take LOTs of money...and, you still have to learn what to
click to write a letter, go on the net, etc etc etc..

the 'trick' is -patience- and willingness to stick with learning all
that must be learned to escape Redmond..

--
palladium
Have a lot of fun..

[henkasdf]

Hi, I agree with palladium, try out the Live CD of openSUSE and see if you like it.

And yes, try not to think of the operating system you're used to, rather think of it as an adventure to learn a new OS. I have switched to Linux a while back, i am running openSUSE 11.1 at home and I am very happy. I must say that it was quite a learning experience, but it was exciting and worth the while. I had and still are having alot of fun like the theme of openSUSE is saying "Have alot of fun"

If you are having issues, the openSUSE community is dedicated to your success with Linux.

Enjoy

H

[finstro]

I'm agree with Markcynt. From my experiencie, for an ex-Win user that want only to browse Internet, play movies and music, Linux Mint is an excellent choice.
If you are looking for a desktop to work seriously, you must choose OpenSuse. You maybe will need more work to prepare it for your own preferences, but you will know in any moment what's happening on your system.

; )

[BrownieCat]

One thing: as this is an openSUSE forum, the most common answer you will get will surely be openSUSE. But don't get me wrong: openSUSE is not a difficult distro to master; in fact it's very easy. And then there's Ubuntu (the newest version seems to be a disaster), PCLinuxOS, Linux Mint, and Fedora, and many others. I'd recommend you first try these distros via LiveCD and then choose the one you like best.