Linux for n00b

ok, so i want to know what distro is best for a total n00b. i really just want it cause i cant afford a mac, and im fed up with windows. also, can i play my windows games on linux? also, where does one get the drivers for linux?

thanks alot

 

well you want what has the largest support community if you realllllllly want to run linux......I havent run any distribution of linux since slackware 4

but by the mentioning on this forum I would think Ubuntu is the simplest

www.linuxgames.com should have a list of the games supported in linux, which unfortunately arent probably the "up to date" games you would be looking for

 

ok, also, i have no clew how to do stuff where it gives you just some test to copy and paste (i couldnt figure how to use WINE, or rather install it) also, can i run any windows app with WINE? also, i have been using an old version of knoppix 3.2 live cd just to check it out, what do you all know about that?

 

yeah, ubuntu is a good place to get started. winehq.org (or something like that) has a nice list of games that run perfectly, well, good, or not at all under wine. I know CSS works, but it works better under windows if you ask me.

linux drivers just update themselves as far as im aware.

and, some windows apps will work, check that winehq.org site for more on that too.

 

Well, Knoppix 3.2 is from 2003, so your experience would be pretty sucky compared to newer versions of distros.

 

oh, i meant will i like the new version... i really dont want to experiment with my new laptop, so i could only try the old version with a really old computer

 

Ubuntu is a great distribution for new users. And so is its derivative, Linux Mint. While I actually prefer SimplyMepis most as the ease of use distribution, its stable version is dated (new beta is out, though). Many people likes PCLinuxOS, although it is getting somewhat dated as well.

Linux drivers - well, for most of hardwares, they are included in Linux itself they just came with distros. If you happen to have hardwares that are unsupported with your distro's drivers, then you have to compile it yourself, which some people finds difficult (I don't find it difficult, though).

 

I would suggest visiting www.linuxquestions.org forums; u will get a better feel for what you are looking for; there is even a quick set of questions that will allow you to choose what fits your personal requirments. Their forums are also very helpful.

Personally, I prefer Ubuntu for its user-base and community support, and also because it is really quite easy to use; documentation is out of this world. And more and more vendors are now supporting Ubuntu (Dell, Lenovo (soon)).

SimplyMepis is also an excellent distro for newcomers. They also have a very friendly user forum.

I generally keep away from RPM based distros (PCLOS, Mandriva, SUSE, etc) as they give me hell with my hardware. Debian based distro's have generally accepted my hardware with no problems. Try what suits you best.

hth,
S