Suse and Mandriva both cost a little bit (still, not much compared to various other operating systems). OpenSuse is essentially the same as Suse, but it is free. I'm providing links below for opensuse, suse, madriva, the linux documentation project, linux questions wiki, and the gentoo wiki.

http://en.opensuse.org/Welcome_to_openSUSE.org
http://www.novell.com/linux/
http://wwwnew.mandriva.com/
http://www.tldp.org/
http://wiki.linuxquestions.org/wiki/Main_Page
http://gentoo-wiki.com/Main_Page


A good way to start learning linux would be read up on how to install it. Once you feel you know enough, go for it. It is kind of like riding a bike, you'll fall a few times when you first start out.

If you have any questions feel free to start a new topic.

-kage

Came up with SuSe and Mandriva for me (using SuSE 10). It's a pretty good guide.

Thanks Kage, that gives me plenty to read....and that's what I'm going to do for now, as you suggested.

CG:D

Seems like "Mandriva" comes up more than anything (From looking @ all the replies so far)

That's because Mandriva's squarely targeted right at the Windows user market so will generally pop up for those wanting Windows-like features in an O/S.

Hi,
I am just looking to try Linux and familiarize myself with it. My top results were Ubuntu, Mandriva, and Kubuntu. Suggestions?

Note: If I could, I'd like to consider RedHat, cuz thats what the Linux Labs at my universtiy have.

Gives me Debian, MEPIS, Ubuntu and Kubuntu.

Note: If I could, I'd like to consider RedHat, cuz thats what the Linux Labs at my universtiy have.

The "Enterprise" edition of Red Hat is not free, thus you might want CentOS (essentially Red Hat rebuilt from source) or Fedora Core.

The last freely downloadable version of Red Hat is Red Hat 9, from 2003, doesn't have updates anymore, which you most likely don't want.

Ubuntu, Kubuntu, and Mandriva

I'm currently running SuSE 10.0 on this computer, but apparently I'd be more suited with Fedora, lol!

I've always had a like for Fedora's ethics, etc, but I'm not changing any time soon I don't think! It's quite ironic that I've used Fedora 3-4, Red Hat 9, Mandrake 10, SuSE 7-10, Ubuntu, Debian 3.1 and Slackware 10.1, but SuSE has to be the only one I've really gotten along with.

I love it.
Simple, effective and yet still with so much power!

They picked Fedora as number one and Kubuntu as number two. Gah. Slackware wasn't even on my list. I love Slackware. Heh.

It recommended Fedora, Ubuntu, and MEPIS. I only have RH and Fedora right now, maybe its time to play with something new.

Ah very interesting......

Thank you for the info Smurfy :) (I think it would be interesting looking @ Mandriva)

i got kubuntu mandriva and ubuntu :)

I'm a novice with Linux so Linspire was my number one choice. Although I have Red Hat 9 professional on dvd but I have no pc to put it on. Anyone want to donate an old laptop?

linux test
 

fedora, suse and ubuntu.

Fedora and ubuntu I've used both and am now using ubuntu (feisty). Suse will not run on my system. I have a dell e520 and there's an issue with the keyboard. Didn't have the problem till I upgraded the bios. Don't feel like pullin the cmos at the moment and I haven't found any other solutions yet. if you know of one please let me know. I'm looking for a downgrade option but so far no luck. Not sure what this system uses but it doesn't have a return to default option like others I've played with. cheers!