Desktop

between Suse and Fedora. Suse is stable once its up and going. I imagine Fedora can be stable, but I have yet to experience this. Every other release or So, I give FC a spin, and am left feeling a little damp. I want to like it, I jsut can't.
Suse is much the same way. Its a good distro. Yast rocks. but I just can't get into its groove.

I personally don't use the prepared distros, because I'm extremely picky about what I have installed and how it's configured.

I recommended PCLinucOS because they did a fantastic job of creating a distro targeted at people on the 12 step program to wean them from windows. That is what it's meant for.

in time, when you delve deeper into how linux works, you will have the knowledge to pick a distro that will suit your needs better. A first distro is exactly that, one to help you "get your feet wet" in the linux waters, just don't expect any distro to be a perfect fit forever, until you get to the point of building your own from sources. :)

PCLOS is debian based, with Mandriva's DrakXtools gui config wizards, combined, they make for a very easy to use and powerful tool set. It uses the Mandriva live installer as well. A very easy to use install.
My preferred web development tool is SCREEM, which always throws a crash notice on closing in PCLOS, they boo-booed on it somewhere.

Just because it's not a good fit for me, doesn't mean it's not a good fit for someone just learning linux.

edit danged typos

Ed, I am currently migrating from windows to Linux.

I do not use any distro. My first real for a purpose install was using Linux From Scratch. It was for a webserver running Apache and Wordpress. It took me three days (and long nights) to complete the whole book and use BLFS to install the webserver and word press. However, I learned more about linux from working through that book than any class I took.

I know that this not an easy transition. This is actually the hardest way I can think of to move to linux. However, I know everything that is in the box. I have it neatly documented and it boots in under two minutes.

I am currently working on my desktop at home. This is taking longer because of my now limited time. But if you really want a challenge, I recommend trying LFS. You will learn a lot, and may even develop a few more grey hairs, but you will completely understand your machine.

However, if you are not really sure and just want something that works, go with Jaqui's rec.

I saw your posting about the server build on he LFS email list
I always suspected you as being a masochist, that just proves it.. doing LFS for a first time linux experience.

LFS actually states that it is meant for people who are comfortable with the linux command line.

It is meant as a learning tool, to help you learn the internals of the OS.

for the desktop build, try using jalfs
it's build scripts that will pull the configure command lines from the book sources, saves you a lot of typing and reading.

masochist and all. I thought everyone enjoyed a nice beating every once in a while :^0 .

I have had some training and experience at the command line. I forgot that part so it is not a gut wrenching. I did use the man pages alot though as I needed some reminding on the commands.

some distros don't give you the option. they put really insane dependencies into their package lists.

That's why LFS is my personal prefference, no garbage I don't need. :)

"to do" list for a good long time. I guess I should hunker down and do it now that the new year is here. Heck, I may even clean up my work room..