With Microsoft try pushing the resource hogging windows vista, many of us are are not to happy to have to upgrade our computers and spend 250 dollars for a prettified Windows XP that has plenty of issues to annoy someone to no end. Companies and schools who are told to upgrade for whatever reason have to shell out a crap load of money to upgrade their computer and to buy Vista. Mac does not seem any better as their computers are non upgradeable and cost plenty of money too. While we have been blindfolded by Apple and Microsoft for years, a certain Operating System [OS] called Linux has been with us all this time and has a strong community. We have been brainwashed into thinking Linux was like a complicated version of DOS when in reality, it is just like a normal OS that we use everyday and easy to operate. The best part they are mostly free! Yes, there is more then one variety of Linux and some of them are not free but those are developed with proprietary software rather then open source software. I'm here to help you pick some out for you that will suit many of your different needs. I have not tried them but I have done research on them ans I think these will suit your needs.
Stander ed OS: These were designed as a general desktop with no specialties. These would be the equivalent of a Windows XP home edition. They come in three different styles: GNOME which is alike the Apple desktop with a bar on the top and bottom of the screen, KDE which is like the Windows style desktop with one bar on the bottom, and What I call Light which is for people who don't have a decent running computer. All I know is that they use less resources but obviously at the cost of possible functions. All in all, all Linux distributions are similar to each other so it will not make a drastic difference on which one use chose.
OZ: The purpose of this desktop is to be fast and stable and to be use able at universities. You can chose between installing GNOME or KDE or both and have the ability to switch between the two any time. This allows you to use software that was meant to be used for one style without having to install two Linux OS. Get it here
Foresight: Designed to showcase the newest Linux technology for the GNOME desktop. Most of it you can just download and add it to any Linux OS but some of it you can't download and add.
I don't know what to say as I have never tried it. Get it here
Mandriva: This is a free version that does not have all the bells and whistles. Though it still should have it's excellent virtualization hardware that helps make any software that may seem incompatible, to work. Get it here
Ubunto and other variants: Ubunto is a Gnome style OS that was made be easy to use, accessible to people all around the world, and have software that does not overlap each other. It can be used for servers, desktop or even laptops. Their are other variants that ether have different styles or meant to be more specialized for a certain audience. Get it here more info on variants
Fedora: A GNOME style OS by the makers of RedHat and the community.They are striving to be the best. Not much else to say. Get it here
Specialized: These OS's lean towards a specific use rather then a broad, general use. They would be the equivalent of all of the other versions of XP.
LinuxMCE: This is a media center OS which is basically a Widows media center version. You can switch between three graphical modes which allows it to be run on a broad range of PCs. Unlike Microsoft's version, This can also be used for security, communication, and for running the home its self, all on a remote and your TV. Your house Can be your very own "Lair" so you can be compared to the likes of Dr. Evil. Get it here
Freevo: Another media center that can watch TV, play movies, music, and even look up the weather. It has a lot of customizabe potential as it allows addon's and different skins. worth checking out. Get it here
MythTV: Another Media Center. The only differences is that it has an emulator to play games, can can rip DVD's, and can view RSS feeds.
Flash Linux: A 256MB version of Linux meant for a flash drive. You can take it any where and use it on any computer. Follow the instructions on how to install it. Get it here
Feraga: Same as above. Here it is
These are all the distribution that seemed good and I hope you like them. There are many more out there if these do not suit your needs. Using Linux will save you a lot of money that can be put into good use and Linux can be customized to you personal needs too. I will cover that another time. For more info check out these links on various distributions and installing of other versions of Linux on a USB drive.
Distribution list Linux on a Stick
StealthKnight
