Favorite Desktop Distro for New Users - 2009

[atmkp0]

certainly ubuntu... a user can switch from windows to ubuntu without saying a single "wtf". other linux systems can startle/surprise immigrants from the windows territory.

[arinlares]

I'll have to say Ubuntu, as a newbie myself. I came into it, and knew where to go to do what I wanted within five seconds of my first install.

[enyocnosaj]

Knoppix was my first encounter with a live CD and nothing has ever equaled that "wow" moment.

But, as for an installed operating system, I got my mom going with GOS 3 and she is the ultimate noob. (=

thinkgos(dot)com

Also, my girlfriend is from Guatemala and the computer I bought her was her first ever and now she can fly around Ubuntu.

[D-cat]

I originally voted OpenSuSE (with KDE interface) because of the familiarity with Windows users factor. However, 11 makes mad system demands and setting up media extras requires some extra knowledge or reading; no sweat for the experienced but discouraging to a new user. I think now over the course of the year I'd change my vote to Mint 7.

Mint is based on Ubuntu, but comes with the media and other restricted extras pre-installed. The result is an out-of-the box experience where everything really does just work, and the "how to use" factor should not throw other OS users too much. Assuming the computer is up to spec, Mint would be my current suggestion for a new user.

[MikeTbob]

I originally voted OpenSuSE (with KDE interface) because of the familiarity with Windows users factor. However, 11 makes mad system demands and setting up media extras requires some extra knowledge or reading; no sweat for the experienced but discouraging to a new user. I think now over the course of the year I'd change my vote to Mint 7.

Mint is based on Ubuntu, but comes with the media and other restricted extras pre-installed. The result is an out-of-the box experience where everything really does just work, and the "how to use" factor should not throw other OS users too much. Assuming the computer is up to spec, Mint would be my current suggestion for a new user.

I agree wholeheartedly!

Linux Mint is the bees knees for newbies and gurus alike.

[TeoEnMing]

My favorite is Fedora, next is OpenSUSE. I want to try Slackware next.