where do I get Linux

[jeffb]

Please help as I hear so much about this o/s that I thought I would give it a go.
This is where I reguire help, been a windows user for ever back into the mists of time and in fairness to it had no problems at all with it even from the 3.1 days.
But always open to new ideas I started to look at Linux, but what one do I go for as Xara is the progam of choice, got Adobe stuff but can't hold a candle to the crew at Gaddesden house, so what I use would be the one for Xara LX.
Cheers

[Slapo]

http://www.linux.org/docs/beginner/index.html

You should find some basic Q&A there.

I'd suggest Mandriva Linux for a first Linux installation, it's close to Windows in a few things, will probably be a good start for you.

There are also other 'newbie friendly' distributions like e.g. Fedora, Ubuntu, SUSE, ..., but I disliked these even more than I did Madriva. It was my first one I've installed, and I'm happy I've started with this one (it was called Mandrake back then).
I use Arch Linux now, but you wouldn't like it at all ATM, I think.

For others: DON'T start a flamewar here! At least I didn't mean to.

[timdw]

IMHO, just what I think etc etc Debian is the "home" of Linux. It's nothing like Windows though, but maybe that's what you'd like to explore! I quite like the install process, fairly no-nonsense and generally if you don't understand anything you can just press enter as the default choice will be sensible.

Alternatively, grab a copy of VMWare Player from http://www.vmware.com/download/player/ and an image to play with from http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/vm/community.html

HTH

Tim

[Mike S]

There are many that you can boot and run right from an cd to check out. then whne you find one you like download the install package. here is probably one of the best sites for linux distobutions. here you will find about every distro out there to download and the distros you can run right from the cd without installing distro watch good luck and happy hunting. you can also check out linspire 5.0 which is 100% user friendly. you can subscribe to the click and run warehouse for about 60 bucks a year and you get all the software you want. remember the software is always free for the most part what you are paying for is the ability for linspire to install it for you without having to learn to install the software yourself. linspire calls it click and run or CNR. pretty good idea. in my opinoin anyways.