Noob

[left_hand]

Hi everyone,
Having read so much about Linux in computer mags, decided I may dip my toe in the water.
I will probably duel boot it with windows, as I will have to rely on that OS for the moment.
Cheers

[Jonathan183]

Welcome to the forums left_hand

Come on in ... the waters warm. I've been using Linux for a couple of years but still dual boot. I use Windows less and less, and never let Windows see the net.

See you around the forums.

[smolloy]

Welcome!

Have you decided which distro you're going to try first?

[jayd512]

Hi, left_hand! Welcome to LinuxForums!

I hope you have as much fun with Linux as I do!

[left_hand]

Thanks for the reception guys.
Re what distro to use was going to be my first question. There are so many, what I'm looking for is the best one for me as a beginner, and how do I get hold of it?
Any observations would be appreciated.

[techieMoe]

Thanks for the reception guys.
Re what distro to use was going to be my first question. There are so many, what I'm looking for is the best one for me as a beginner, and how do I get hold of it?
Any observations would be appreciated.

You've touched on the number one most popular question asked at the forum, and unfortunately it's one of the only questions we simply can't answer. It's like asking what flavor of ice cream we think will be your favorite.

You're probably safe going with one of the top 5 most popular distributions on DistroWatch:

DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.

They're generally well-supported and made for a broad audience.

[left_hand]

Thanks techieMoe, that makes a load of sense, should have have realised really.
Will check out DistroWatch.
Thanks again

[jayd512]

Besides Distrowatch, you also might wanna check out this poll for opinions about what distro might be considered 'newbie-friendly'.

[left_hand]

Thanks jayd512, it looks like a vote for Ubuntu. So I shall give that a try in the very near future.

[Geeth]

Ubuntu is a great starting distro IMO.

Hope you enjoy it.