What is the best linux distribution for learning to use many?

First, a bit about my background.. I currently work as a Network Engineer, mainly with Cisco routers/switches and VPN devices. I am throughly familiar with Windows, both as a workstation and server, and have one more test to go to complete my MCSE. However, I have no real experience with Linux, and feel like this is both a hole in my personal knowledge and in my resume. :) I can do basic user stuff both from a command line and in Xwindows, but have no real command of it.



That said, I intend to rectify this. I want to start using Linux as my primary operating system on my personal PC, as I feel this is a great first step to really force myself to learn it. I need to know what distribution would be best for me to use. My concern is some of them seem to have alot of propriatary tools that are not found in other linux distros, I want to find one to learn on that will best allow me to be comfortable on any linux distro I run into in the future. Thanks much for your advice!What is the best linux distribution for learning to use many?
Linux truly is a wonderful operating system! If I'm using a PC, I greatly prefer using it to Windows. It's much more stable, secure, etc. But you already knew that. =]



Personally, I would suggest you start out with OpenSuSE. It's easy to use, yet it is very powerful. Its installer is also pretty easy. I recommend that because a lot of businesses that run Linux on their client systems use SuSE (the only difference between that and OpenSuSE is that SuSE contains closed-source programs; therefore, you have to pay for that distro).



I hope this helps! Good luck!
i think Fedora is best for you....

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What is the best linux distribution for learning to use many?
Ujjwol, I disagree, fedora is too "easy to use"..

If you want to learn linux, I recommend Debian.

If what you want is ease of use, I recommend Linux Mint, based in Ubuntu http://www.linuxmint.com/

I know nothing about openSuse though.

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Well if you want to learn about linux in genrel or terminal commands and things of the sort go with Dyne.





.::InTheKnot4Life::.

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What is the best linux distribution for learning to use many?
+1 to Debian. Great OS.

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He said for learning!!! If you really want to learn Linux well, LFS (Linux From Scratch) is the best. I know a kid with Autism who did it at the age of 13! Those distros mentioned won't require you to learn much. For me, Gentoo minimal install iso (not the one with gui) and read the Gentoo handbook.

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My advise to you is do only what you enjoy, here is what you say

" I want to start using Linux as my primary operating system on my personal PC, as I feel this is a great first step to really force myself to learn it."



If you don't love it, don't force it, you will waste your time and get bored

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Totally agree! LFS is the best one if you want to learn!

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You should download and try Ubuntu
I would use suse 10.1 now it is easy to use and free to download from:

http://www.novell.com/products/suselinux鈥?/a>

If you want to get it with installation support it costs about 拢45, but I would guess as you're pretty conversant with windows, suse should be easy to handle, there's a GUI for most of it, which gives you a buffer until you get a handle on linux.



Try this pdf for bash scripting:http://www.tldp.org/LDP/abs/abs-guide.pd鈥?/a>

and the linux documentation prject:http://www.tldp.org/

also: http://www.linuxcommand.org/ and http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/arti鈥?/a>



I use only Suse linux on both my laptop %26amp; desktop, getting on a bit %26amp; only been computing for about 7 years so I don't think you'll have much trouble, mail me if you need help.