What is the most functional/practical version of Linux for home users?

I want to download a version of Linux, but am unsure of the different versions? Which one is the most practical for home usage? (Internet, networking, and word processing)

What is the most functional/practical version of Linux for home users?
Kubuntu download the live cd and try it without having to install first.
Reply:The one you know. 8-) I use OpenSUSE 10.3, Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon), Knoppix and Kubuntu. Each has strengths and weaknesses. I agree with the previous responder. Try a "livecd" which installs nothing on your computer. This gives you the opportunity to see if your hardware is compatible (without too much configuring) or not. Another suggestion is to add another hard drive to your computer (even 40 Gb will give you install space and some storage) and go with dual boot. It is easy as long as Windows is installed first. Check some linux tutorials for the naming protocols for linux as you don't want to load it on the wrong hard drive. Or if you have an older machine lying around, load linux into that. I donated an old 600Mhz machine to my library running Ubuntu that took a while to boot up but did email and web browsing fine. Distrowatch is a good place to browse for ideas on distributions and where to get them.





And check out: http://blog.lxpages.com/2007/02/25/top-1...


It will give you an idea on how to use terminal. Remember the command line is your friend. Good luck.
Reply:any ubuntu based distro. I use linux mint think of it as ubuntu on steroids. pc linux and granular are also real good. bottom line all linux is good but ubuntu based stuff is often the easiest to tweek
Reply:Definitely Ubuntu. Their slogan is actually "Linux for human beings".





Also, with Ubuntu, you can try it out before you install it! Just burn the files to a CD (or DVD), and switch your computer's boot method to CD. You'll boot right into Ubuntu, and will be able to use everything- if you want to keep it, you just click the install icon, it installs, and you're set!





The OS itself is very intuitive, easy to use, and has many familiarities from OSX and Windows. Try it out. It's so good, that even Dell offers it on some of it's PCs.





http://www.ubuntu.com/
Reply:Hi, actually any version of Linux can do what u want. I would suggest openSUSE, its as polished as Windows or OS X.





OpenSUSE has a GUI for everything and I mean everything, u won't even feel like u r using Linux. Its very stable, distros like suse, mandriva, and fedora r all very stable, and opensuse is literally bug free, I have been using suse for a long time and have not encountered any bugs.





You get the cool eye candy, since novell started the compiz project then the latest version of compiz fusion is there is opensuse with many new effects u may have to compile in other distros. OpenSUSE also has the latest drivers for all your hardware cause many other distros only upgrade the drivers in their repos with the next release.





Because Novell, the company which sponsors opensuse has a deal with Microsoft so opensuse's open office can read and edit office 2007 file formats like .docx whereas other distros can't so that will be an advantage for u while sharing files.





http://en.opensuse.org





Good Luck and take care, and if u have any questions about this distro u can contact me and here our its forums in case u want to join or ask questions there:





http://forums.suselinuxsupport.de/
Reply:Probably Ubuntu.