What is the best Linux distribution for a beginner?

I don't know anything about Linux. Should be easy to use and should be an active and popular distribution that is still updated from time to time and has an active developer team.What is the best Linux distribution for a beginner?
Here are some options for installing or trying out Linux



Option One (Full installation)



I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 9 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 10.04 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled



Linux Mint 9 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=鈥?/a>



The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 9 (Isadora)

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-de鈥?/a>



Linux Mint 9 User Guide Download pdf.

http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_isadora.php



You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 9 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation



Linux Mint 9 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive



Also worth considering :



Fedora Remix (Fedora with elements of Linux Mint)

http://fcoremix.wordpress.com/2010/05/25鈥?/a>

http://iso.linux.hr/community-fedora-rem鈥?/a>

http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedo鈥?/a>



Again Fedora Remix can be run direct from the LiveDVD without touching your Hard Drive



Option Two (Install Linux inside Windows)



Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi



You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.



Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.



Boot in to windows insert the Ubuntu 10.04 LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the Wubi installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Ubuntu (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.



Once Ubuntu is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Ubuntu



Ubuntu 10.04 Download

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu鈥?/a>



Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) User Guide

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Lucid



Linux Mint 9 which is built upon Ubuntu 10.04 has a similar feature called mint4win and the directions given above for Wubi can be followed

http://duncsweb.com/2009/09/27/mint4win-鈥?/a>



As with Linux Mint 9 and Fedora Remix, Ubuntu 10.04 can also be run straight from the LiveCD without touching your Hard drive



Option Three (LiveCD)



Here the possibilities are endless as you can try out as many different Linux distros. as you like until you find the one thats right for you DISTROWATCH.COM gives full listings (second lists the major distributions)

http://distrowatch.com/



Major Linux Distributions

http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resourc鈥?/a>





LUg.
Being an advid linux user for 13 years, never touching windows or os x i would say Ubuntu is good Linux mint is better and Manhattan OS is the best. And if you chose Manhattan or are interested in it Follow Manhattan OS on Facebook!What is the best Linux distribution for a beginner?
Ubuntu is great but for a beginner go with linux mint. LInux Mint is based on ubuntu so all teh help you get from ubuntu support works on linux mint. and all teh software available for ubuntu is there in linux mint. but linux mint isnatlls java / flash / media codecs/ by default no need going around looking for things to get to work on teh computer " its out of teh box" besides most ubuntu bugs are fixed in mint. mint releases their OS a month after ubuntu after they tweak it test it and fix it :) so you dont have to. LInux mint also has a nicer menu. the mint menu is close to windows menu so you will feel right at home. ( you can change it of course )
this is definitely a subject of debate.

ubuntu is a good starting disto for most people and 10.04 has ipod/iphone support but personally if your going to go with ubuntu i'd go with 9.04.

linux mint is also a good distro for beginners and it is based off of ubuntu.

as you get more into linux you might want to try out different distros like arch-linux (my personal favorite) debian (which ubuntu stemmed from) and gentoo, but wait until you know more about linux to try these.What is the best Linux distribution for a beginner?
I would have to recommend Linux Mint : http://www.linuxmint.com/ .



Also you will want to install Ailurus and Ubuntu Tweak which will help you immensely.



Add the PPA (Personal Package Archives):

Under Linux Mint 9, click on the Mint Menu %26gt; Administration %26gt; Software Sources.

Input your Password, click on the "Other Software" tab, click add and input (one at a time):



For Ailurus: (Remove the Space between the http:// and ppa for all of them)

deb http:// ppa.launchpad.net/ailurus/ppa/ubuntu lucid main

deb-src http:// ppa.launchpad.net/ailurus/ppa/ubuntu lucid main



For Ubuntu Tweak:

deb http:// ppa.launchpad.net/tualatrix/ppa/ubuntu lucid main

deb-src http:// ppa.launchpad.net/tualatrix/ppa/ubuntu lucid main



Once done click on the "close" button. Open a terminal and input:



sudo apt-get update



Once done input :



sudo apt-get install ailurus



sudo apt-get install ubuntu tweak



(you can also do this through the GUI by clicking on Menu %26gt; Package Manager and type in the search bar "ailurus" and "ubuntu tweak" and install that way. Using the Terminal would just be a bit quicker. After they are installed you can locate them under Menu %26gt; System Tools)
Hands down I would recommend Ubuntu 10.4



It was specifically made for beginners and normal home users looking to replace windows. It has a HUGE development team that keeps it constantly updated and supported, not to mention a huge user base who loves to help new people out with questions.
Ubuntu and Linux Mint are the two easiest to use. I would personally recommend Ubuntu. It has a large user base willing to help you out with any problems, and a new version comes out every 6 months.
I second Answer No. 1. Another advantage to Ubuntu is that it runs on Live CD (i.e., you can boot from a CD and run Linux) without installing it or modifying your PC. Perfect for getting your feet wet.
Ubuntu and mint are good options. I am currently using dream linux which is also quite good but still quite new.
Ubuntu 10.04 and Mint are user-friendly and often updated. They also have good support forums.
Without a doubt, I would recommend Ubuntu



http://www.ubuntu.com/