Choosing a Linux Distribution

There are hundreds of Linux distributions out there. Choosing the right distribution can be a problem for those new to Linux. I have narrowed down the choices to the top 3 Linux distributions today.

Ubuntu is from a company called Canonical Ltd. It has a regular, 6-month release cycle with a periodic Long Term Support (LTS) release that is supported with updates and security patches for 3-5 years depending on the edition. The current version is 8.04.1 LTS also known as Hardy Heron. Ubuntu is popular for being the easiest to use.

openSUSE is supported by Novell. It boasts of a neatly designed interface and large repository of software packages. The current version is 11.0.

Fedora is from Red Hat. In 2003, and shortly after the release of Red Hat Linux 9, the company produced two sets of distribution: the enterprise line called Red Hat Enterprise Linux and the community-supported version called Fedora Core. Fedora is known for innovation and enterprise features. The current version is Fedora 9.

So, what are you waiting for? Take your pick!