The age old question...

[dotSlashMike]

So I'm fairly certain that most, if not all, of you have been asked this question... what flavor of Linux should I start with?

Let's begin with the basics.

I was first exposed to Linux through one of my classes at school that briefly touched on getting us familiar with Linux before plunging us into Java. Why they did it in that class instead of a C++ class, I'll never know. Anyway, the machines at the school were dual-booters with XP and Fedora so I am a bit familiar with Fedora already. However, I have been referred to Ubuntu as a good starting point by several people. My professor however, is a bit partial to Knoppix so he recommended that.

Basically, I want function over form, power over pretty. Right now, I have ubuntu installed on my Windoze box under a VM (VBox is so awesome) but I want to switch my desktop to a dedicated Linux machine. I was told to avoid setting up a dualboot cause Windows is a real jerk and doesn't like to share it's toys with Linux (I've had people tell me that Windows has wiped and reformatted their Linux partitions in the past). Basically, I want to get off the Washington teat and stop supporting that megalomaniacal capitalist.

Any advice is appreciated.

[GNU-Fan]

Hello,

I think Fedora is a very modern and versatile operating system, as is the whole RedHat family. It will satisfy your needs and you know it already. So if you liked it on school, go for it.

Usually Ubuntu and Knoppix are suggested for starters, because these two are expected to give the beginner a very smooth transition from Windows.

But it all boils down to customizing the operating system after your own imagination. For example, I always use Debian because this is what I've started with but if I were to have installed Fedora, it would be looking exactly the same, I assume.

For this reason, I rather recommend the more "general purpose" distributions of GNU/Linux, like Debian, Fedora, Gentoo. You will adapt them according to your taste anyway, so why specialize early?

[elija]

Personally, I use Xubuntu and I love it. I am just setting up a Centos Server. Centos can also be run as a desktop operating system.

It is basically a recompiled Red Hat Enterprise Linux with all references to Red Hat removed and free. If you liked Fedora it might be worth giving it a go. It will be less cutting edge than Fedora but very stable if that's important to you.