Hi, I'm sure this question has been answered and done before, but seeing as there is a new RedHat 7 out, etc, I just wanted to get a low down on the best distribution.

My experience is limited to Windows, however I have used Linux through telnet. Installation might be difficult, but I am a fast learner. The reason for this post? I have a dual P3-1000, dual 60gb quantum, 1GB RAM etc machine, and plan to run a web server from this. It will have Apache, PHP and MySQL. Since I am a complete newbie, I guess I will need to know what distribution is best for me. IE, which one will not have too many extra things installed that i won't need, and which ones are too difficult to install, etc. Also, is FreeBSD Linux? What are my choices?

Also, I find it hard to find large forums and lists on Linux install and information. If you could direct me to a few other ones besides this site, that would be fantastic.

A thanks to anyone who shares any information with me!

Decius.

One thing I forgot to add...

My priorities lie in stability and ease of use/setup. But I don't want to give up effeciency for the ease of use.

slackware.

not only is it incredibly stable, it doesn;t come with a load of crap that isn;t necessary (a full install fits under 1gb). it doesn;t have many wizzy config tools (like mandrake) but has console setup tools like netconfig to (obviously) configure networks and pppsetup to get internet working etc. their site has lots of information as well.

and no freebsd is another version of unix, but is quite similar to linux (but freebsd is used more on servers, never quite punctured the desktop market really). i have no experiance of it though.

Alex

P.S. slackware does come with all that you mentioned but it is easy to get them even if it doesn;t

P.P.S. there is no rpm really (although they give you it). instead slackware uses tar.gz files and their pkgtool to manage installation of software. personally i think it's probably easier to compile packages yourself. that way you can have only options you need in your program.

And for my 10pence...

For easy install and all the apps you can eat thrown in, it has to be Mandrake or SuSe, both a very good. The install tools that they provide will make the transition from the Windies much less painfull.

Mandrake's Drakconf, and SuSe's YaST are both good tools, although SuSe's German origins do show through in the text sometimes.

SuSe 7.1 is also the only distro shipping 2.4 Kernel at the moment, if that is of interest.

SuSe and Mandrake are the two highest selling distros at the moment, which must say something, if only how good their marketing depts are.

The do eat disk space though its true, but your dual 60Gb should cope!

I uses SuSe 7.1 as a desktop, and RedHat or Caldera for servers.

Steve

Here is my list in order of what I think would be starting with best to worst, not including the smaller players, just the major distros you find in the stores.

1. Debian - Best all round, most robust, Newbies stay away for awhile until you get the hang of things.
2. Mandrake - Best for Newbies, best all round, if there will be a desktop standard, this will be the one to do it. Note I did say Desktop, not server.
3. Slackware - The closest one to a true Unix machine. All good all around. Most loyal users.
4. RedHat - I think is very good, most well known and seeking the server market looks like their strategy.
5. SuSe - Very good all around, best and most popular in Europe. Comes with alot of stuff. What is it now, about 5 gigs worth or apps.
6. Caldera - I have never used this one but never heard anything good out of it.
7. Corel - I actually thought this was easy to use and install but don't recommend it, its not a player as of yet and with Corel selling off, might not ever be.

These are the Distro's I have tried and used of the major players, except Caldera, just thought I would throw it in there.