Can you recommend a Linux version for beginner
 

Is anyone running Win7 together with a Linux distro?

I'm thinking of adding a Linux OS either as dualboot or VM.

I've no Linux experience so recommendations for a simple easy-to-use beginners version would be appreciated.

Here's the specs of my desktop:

HP xw6600 Workstation
- 2x Intel Xeon Quad E5440 @2.83GHz
- 8x 1GB FB-DDR2 @ 667MHz
- Kingston/Intel X25-M 160GB SSD [OS and Programs]
- 2x 1TB Spinpoint F3, RAID 0 [Data/files]
- 1x 1TB Spinpoint F3, backup
- Win 7 Ultimate x64

I've done quite a bit of research but ended up no better off than when I started.

Re: Can you recommend a Linux version for beginner
 

Can't go wrong with Ubuntu. That's what I dualboot my Macbook with. I believe they just released a new Long Term Support version (I'm on 10.04). If you don't like the default GUI (unity) you can install gnome just by typing "atp-get install gnome" or something like that to the shell (might be a good idea if you have big monitor(s))..

Re: Can you recommend a Linux version for beginner
 

Ubuntu or Linux Mint!


Try out a live CD first, no installation needed.

Re: Can you recommend a Linux version for beginner
 

My opinion only. Don't crucify me!

OpenSuSE 12.1 or Ubuntu (latest). I would not even mess with RedHat. It is for advance users. No user friendly tools.

Ubuntu uses Debian and SuSE mostly uses rpm. It has the install zypper which is very powerful. Another difference SuSE comes with both KDE & GNOME. You can choose either or both. I am not a big fan of the latest KDE or GNOME (too fancy) so I changed my Ubuntu and OpenSuSE desktop window manager to XFCE.

SuSE has YaST that will make all your configuration very easy. No need to figure out the command lines. It makes beginner's life much easier. Ubuntu, tools are not that great (my opinion)

Install XRDP and you can RDP to your Linux Desktop if running as a VM.

I have 2 machines. OneI has Ubuntu. My main machine has OpenSuSE and Windows installed under Xen. No need to mess with VMWare. I have Windows VM RDP connected on one of my 4 Linux desktops screens. I just switch to it when (rarely) I need Windows.

My office pc is Redhat enterprise desktop and it is not even comparable to SuSE or Ubuntu. No good.

Re: Can you recommend a Linux version for beginner
 

I have 2x Dell U2410

Re: Can you recommend a Linux version for beginner
 

I hear linux mint is supposed to be good for beginners, it is a debian based OS with gnome desktop as standard... (although I have yet to try it)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjpPf9k3tQ4


Many people may also recommend Ubuntu as well for beginners, it comes with most of the drivers that you will need and install them automatically. Although I did find this more frustrating than when I had to change them to my hardware only to be thrown out again with Ubuntus frequent updates.

I would recommend downloading a few LiveCDs and trying them out.

Re: Can you recommend a Linux version for beginner
 

Even says at their website:
OP stated that he's a noob. There's nothing easier than Ubuntu out there..

Re: Can you recommend a Linux version for beginner
 

Fedora is more compliant with Linux Foundation and LSB recomendations.

rpm is much better package managing system than deb based.

SELinux brings extra security, which most debian based distributions lack in the beginning and is rather difficult to install afterwards.

You can try Fedora easily with a bootable CD or better yet bootable USB-stick for some time, before deciding if you want to install or not. Fedora then can also install side by side with MS Windows. Fedora installation system knows how to shrink the Windows partition to fit Fedora in.

http://fedoraproject.org/en/get-fedora

The easiest way to try and make a Live-USB-stick in Windows, is to download and run LiveUSB-creator for Windows. ~700 MB USB stick or larger needed.
https://fedorahosted.org/liveusb-creator/

Re: Can you recommend a Linux version for beginner
 

Having several years of experiences with Ubuntu and OpenSUSE (both @home and professionally, a beginner couldnt possibly be more frustrated with their many (mainly through lazy QA) issues. Please drop suggesting such horse manure. Give Mint a try.

Re: Can you recommend a Linux version for beginner
 

Don't worry buddy. We are not fighting.

Linux is all about choices. What I like is different from what someone else likes.

To find what you like, you have to try each one. They are all a little different, but still they are all Linux. It sounds too hard, but it is not.

Most of the distributions come with bootable CD's without needing to install. Download it and boot and use each for couple of days before formatting your PC.

Once you figure out 1 distribution, you can easily switch to any other ones.

Warning! Once you start using Linux and start liking it, it will be hard to go back to Windows.
:D