New to linux

[-chaos-]

Hello. I am interested in setting up my machine with linux/Windows XP. I have windows XP but i am wondering which distribution of linux to use. I never used linux before, and am looking for an easy setup with windows. I really like how linux looks, hear nothing but good things and windows always pisses me off! thanks in advance

[solo]

Many say that Red Hat Linux, and Mandrake Linux (a different flavor of Red Hat) are currently the easiest to install, and set up. You can start with one of those, with minimal cost, if you get a CD from a place like CheapBytes, or the like.

Find a book that covers many aspects of Linux, and read as much as you can (there's a reading list here at LNO; check it out). Also read the "How I did it" articles and NHF's here at LNO, and on other BBS's. When you install Linux successfully (which may take a few trys at first); check out all the documentation that gets installed with it (found in text files, and HTML files in the /usr/doc/ directory).

Of course; the folks here can help you along the way... Especially if you've shown that you're doing some research on your own as well. Hope that helps.

[outlander78]

Mandrake is a very new-user-friendly distribution, while Red Hat is a little less friendly but more widely used. I'd suggest either of those to you - there are many good ones to choose from, but those two have the advantage of a large user base, so lots of people can help you out.

[-chaos-]

Okay, thanks a lot. Ill start reading up on these.