What Linux distro to start with?

[bosh]

I want to start trying to learn how to use linux but have no idea which to start with. Im not that good at this kind of stuff but at the same time dont want a dumbed down version as the point is to learn how it all works eventually. Anyone got any recommendations?

[chrestomanci]

Short answer: Ubuntu

Long answer: It depends on what you want to learn an who you want to learn from. If you have a friend who will be helping and mentioning you, then ask him, He will probably recommend his favourite distro, and the one he is most familiar with, and you should use that.

If you are planning to learn by reading & asking questions on internet forums, IRC etc, then the Ubuntu forums are very good. There are also many Ubuntu users here on Hexus. (Myself included)

[aidanjt]

+1 to what chrestomanci said, Ubuntu is basically the defacto Linux distribution for people new to Linux, it's very easy to get started with, and there's truck loads of documentation and users to learn from. I use it myself these days.

[g8ina]

Yep, +2 ubuntu

[watercooled]

Another +1 for Ubuntu, there's a lot of work gone in to making it simple to use. Plus, like lots of other distros, it's based on Debian which is itself a great if slightly more advanced option. I'm personally most familiar with Debian-type distros. That's not to say RHEL, Slackware, etc are inferior in any way, and starting from the beginning you might want to try Fedora/SuSE for example, especially if you have a willing friend who uses those OSes like chrestomanci said.

[bosh]

Sounds like ubuntu is the way to go as I will just be learning on my own from the web. Ty for the info

[oolon]

I would say Centos as skills in it directly translate into redhat which is a called for skill. Centos does not move at break neck speeds other distributions can and releases will be around many years, and provides a safe and steady base. Hardware manufacturers often support Redhat, and as a result Centos. Some even use it I noticed a Dell live CD for a server I have was Centos based!

[Zadock]

Actually I would say go with Mint, its based on ubuntu but even more user friendly IMO.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

try ubuntu server

[pp05]

I would say PCLinuxOS.

Looked nicer than Ubuntu when I used it years ago.

[Giraffe]

Another 'friendly' one is PCLinuxOS:
http://www.pclinuxos.com/

[Jay]

I started with CentOS as its most like RHENT and so used in a lot of business setups. After all these years CentOS is still my most used Distro for servers.

[b0redom]

Mint for the desktop - you don't want to be messing about with getting Flash/Codecs working

Centos for servers

[aidanjt]

Mint isn't terrible, but searching for "restricted-extras" in the software centre doesn't break fingers either.

[watercooled]

Ubuntu now asks you on install whether it should install restricted software and includes Flash as an example.

[bosh]

So would you say ubuntu is a kind of middle ground between hard/server (centos) and easy (mint etc)? Would be good if so as I want something somewhat challenging without inducing rage quit.