recommend me a linux / Unix Distro

[Chappo]

Hi all,

im looking at installing Linux on my machine - to mess about with and was wondering if some of u linux / unix bods can point me in the direction of a distro which is:

1. easy to install as a dual boot with Windows xp
2. can boot with SATA hard disks
3. has got lots of bells and whistles etc to play with
4. is free and downloadable (well i have got an 8mb line to play with

cheers

[OrangeHopper]

Mac OS/X.

[DaveB]

If you like poking around in the guts then Slackware is a fun one.

[Chappo]

Mac OS/X.

would agree - but its not legal to run on non-apple hardware - i had it running on my laptop - was fantastic, and slightly surreal to see the apple logo on a HP lappy!

[MrsGoof]

If you really want to learn as well the Gentoo is the one that'll teach you.

Everything is sourcebased and configuration is by hand. It'll take a while to get your system up but you WILL LEARN

Otherwise SUSE OSS. DOwnload ISO burn boot voila !

[Cowboy Bob]

SuSE Pro 9.3 is my weapon of choice (haven't got round to upgrading to 10 yet). If you're going to run it on a laptop then this is the distro to have as it was the only one that detected and installed the wireless networking in my IBM Thinkpad out of the box.

YaST (the installer/software management utility) is pretty sweet too. Been Billyware free for a number of years now - though I use VMWare for the inevitable Internet Explorer testing.

[threaded]

Ubuntu: http://www.ubuntu.com/

Seconded.

Ubuntu is an ancient african word meaning "Can't install Gentoo".

[DimPrawn]

Microsoft Vista is good I've heard.

Takes cover behind desk.

[Statistician]

SuSE Pro 9.3 is my weapon of choice (haven't got round to upgrading to 10 yet). If you're going to run it on a laptop then this is the distro to have as it was the only one that detected and installed the wireless networking in my IBM Thinkpad out of the box.

YaST (the installer/software management utility) is pretty sweet too. Been Billyware free for a number of years now - though I use VMWare for the inevitable Internet Explorer testing.

SuSe 10 or Ubuntu if you want it really free.

[Joe Black]

Mac OS/X.

would agree - but its not legal to run on non-apple hardware - i had it running on my laptop - was fantastic, and slightly surreal to see the apple logo on a HP lappy!

And why not?...isn't this somehow covered by the legal concept of reasonable use?