Linux - for newbie

The Linux Documentation project might be a good start..

http://www.tldp.org/

and a good distro that is most familiar for newbies is xandros. it's set up to be as windows like as possible.

pick a distro, and read thier documents, as each is slightly different during installation, and the tools are all slightly different with each major distro.

I've found Knoppix (a live CD distribution, runs from the CD) a pretty friendly way to get started, especially if you happen to buy the Knoppix Hacks book from O'Reilly ($29.95 at Barnes & Noble, or $20.96 from their web site). They also have forums available on their web site (try knoppix.net for an English starting point) for additional support.

Once you've chosen a distro I'd recommend the relevant Wiley bible series book (about $50). This is where I started with Linux and it's served me well. Once you're comfortable you'll be able to use the Linux man pages and better relate to some of the web tutorials. As I think someone has already said, Knoppix live CD is a good way to start without committing to a HDD install.

Hello Hampeh,

personally I don't like the idea of going with a distribution of linux that looks and feels like Windows - but then again I think it would have to depend on how comfortable you are with computers. (the fact that you are on Techrepublic would insight me to believe you can handle your own)

So if you are familiar with computers, I don't see any reason for the crutches. I'd start with Suse, Mandrake, Debian or Red Hat. Talk to people around you and see if someone has a set of install disks you can copy.

Also, I recently came accross a book that I wish had been around when I started playing with Linux. It is written for people who know windows and is quite comprehensive in drawing parallels between the 2 operating systems to make you understand how Linux operates.
The book is titled 'LINUX in easy steps' and is written by Mike McGrath and costs a mere 10 US dollars. The ISBN number is 0-7607-5737-2.
I found it at Barnes and Noble but I'm sure that any good book store could locate it for you.

Try:
http://www.linuxplanet.com/linuxplanet/tutorials/ for some excellent tutorials.

http://linuxsurvival.com/index.php?module=ContentExpress&func=display&ceid=1&meid=-1 for some online tutorials! Just make sure you have java installed.

It might help if you first look into several
"Live distro's" before you decide on one.
Things to look for Ubuntu, Kubunto, Knoppix etc.

Easy to use is ClarkConnect.

Google for Primers. There are several readily available including Linux.org and then places like Tech Republic.

Are you looking for an easy to use desktop or be you geek and want to tinker? Both conditions can be satisfied. I whole heartily echo those that recommend a Live-CD distro first.

You will find live CDs for Knoppix, Mepis, and SuSE 9.2 Personal (Novell-SuSE has a more recent download, a DVD-R sized Live image of SuSE 9.3 Professional on their website) to name ones I have seen bundled with Linux Format, Linux User & Developer and other Linux magazines.

See which Live-CD works best for your platform that you like.

Running on CD verses hard drive installation is slower to boot and to start applications by 3-5 times depending upon your hardware.

If you are more toward the tinkerer side Mepis which then can apt-get (online upgrade) to a full Debian has a worthy approach.

If you want one with more commercial feel then Red Hat/Fedora, Novell-SuSE, Mandrake, and Xandros are ones that come to mind.

Gentoo, Ubantu, Slackware, Debian,...

Hey they all have unique nitches and OSF is about choice -- so have fun exploring!

Look around at your local bookstore for titles like "Linux for Non-Geeks" No Starch Press, Knoppix CD included or "Point and Click Linux" with a Mepis CD and a basic video DVD.

Doing examples and playing around with both CLI and a few GUI interfaces (KDE and Gnome at least) will help to build knowledge and get you used to the environment.

Some of the more powerful things are still what can be done by the command line in a terminal session.

It is all about _your_ choice.

Go to this link:

http://www.linuxlinks.com/Beginners/

It has around 30-40 links & all of them are dedicated to beginners only.