How to Select A Linux Distribution

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The most commonly asked question by new Linux users is often "Which Linux distribution is the best for me?". With hundreds, possibly thousands of different Linux distros out there, it is really a tough job deciding which is the one for you. If you are contemplating a switch to Linux from Windows/Mac and are overwhelmed by the great list of Linux distro, here is a guide to help you filter down the list and select the distro that is best suited for you.

1) Your hardware specification
Before you choose any distro, first take a look at your hardware specification. If you are using a new or recent computer that are less than one year old, you should not have any issue with any of the distros. However, if you are still using the Pentium 2 PC that you bought 5 years back, selecting a lightweight Linux distro is the best choice you got. A good thing about a lightweight distro is that it is small, fast and yet in no way inferior to those mainstream bulky distros. Even though it is small in size, it still contains a full range of software that you can use, including office suites, browser, media players etc. You might even be surprised by some of the stunning graphical effects that you never thought your Pentium 2 PC can handle.

If you are using a low-end PC, some of the lightweight distros that you can consider are Puppy Linux, Fluxbuntu, WattOS. Read the rest of this entry »