What's the easiest free Linux distribution to switch to from Windows XP?

Question

I've heard that Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Fedora, and OpenSuse are good. Are there any other good ones and which is the easiest to adapt to?

Answer 1

This is a good question. Like another poster above me, I also use openSUSE and like it a lot. I would disagree though with the idea that it's like windows. It takes a little bit of getting used to, and therefore may not be the best choice for a windows switch. however, you should certainly keep it in mind for when you do get used to Linux.

As for Ubuntu/Kubuntu, in my opinion they're pretty poor choices for a Windows convert. Yes, they are both very popular distros (almost a fad really), but that doesn't mean that they're the best choice (especially Ubuntu because of GNOME) for a transition.

Linspire (and it's free counterpart Freespire), might be good choices, especially since their design purpose is to be like windows. This actually might be the one I recommend you try, but I haven't tried it myself so I don't want to push too hard for a distro I've never tried.

aLinux, a lesser known distro, might be another good choice. Even more so than Linspire, it's designed for the windows user, and even looks exactly like windows. It's not as widely used as some of the other distros though, so support might be limited (for example, Ubuntu has a large community to help new users with questions).

Finally, just as a shot in the dark, PCLinuxOS might be worth a try. I honestly know little about this distro, but it's supposed to be pretty good too. This distro, unlike aLinux, includes a little more support, and is based on Mandriva Linux.

Most of these distros are free (except for Linspire, which is $50-60), so booting them all as LiveCDs might be your best option in picking a distro to go with. Advice from users can help, but in the end it's probably better if you pick one you've actually tried and have a feel for.

No matter which distro you pick though, you will have to keep in mind that there will be a learning curve with any Linux distro. It's a totally different operating system, and, while probably better than windows, it isn't as user friendly. Expect at least a little bit of tinkering and trial and error.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Personally, i prefer openSUSE. I have it dual-booted on my laptop right now. The KDE interface is much more like Windows than the Gnome interface. (which it asks for you to pick on at install)

Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Fedora all have Live-CD's, which allow you to boot the OS from the cd without installing it so you can try it out fist. i would recommend downloading a few of them and try them out. it cant hurt!

Answer 3

in case you have already put in abode windows XP then, you may desire to unpartition between the drives and then insert the bootable Linux disc and restart the gadget. Then, you ought besides Linux from the disc and the technique would be temporarily defined after which you ought to maintain on the technique via telling the OS to apply the unfastened area, it incredibly is the unpartitioned section. Your Linux is in a position to apply as quickly as you have put in thoroughly.

Answer 4

The problem with answering the Linux question is that there are so many different distributions, and so many different ways to use a computer. I recommend you use the Linux Distribution Chooser (http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/)....... This will ask you a series of questions in many different areas, after which a few distributions will be recommended. I think you will be better served by the Distubution Chooser than if each of us just recommends our favorite flavor of Linux.

Answer 5

Ubuntu has just been voted the best distribution for the year 2006. It's free and very easy to install. Good support and documentation.

If your computer has 256MB of RAM get a full version. If Less, get XUBUNTU.

Answer 6

Now-days every Linux is made to be windows-like and user friendly (that's relative :). I suggest for first period of times to try Knoppix. It's free, you don't even have to install it on computer, just run it from CD, see if you like Linux. If that's what you want, you can install Knoppix on your computer, and as you advance you can choose some other distribution that fits your needs.

Answer 7

Lindows, or as they call in now "linspire", and "FREEspire"

lindows is basically exactly the same as windows vista, but cooler.

just a side note, linspire is not free, altho FREEspire is, as the name sugests.

Answer 8

i found Mandrake when i switched and believe that one is really Kool.....but another solution which is prefferable is obiviously KNOPPIX...no need to install just get the CD and use it like a game. do whatever you want....it will load all setting automatically..no need to mount anything...just after loading use it like windows.

Answer 9

Red Hat.