Which os to choose beside windows...what's latest from linux?

I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 7 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 9.04 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled Linux Mint 7 Download http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38 Linux Mint 7 Release notes http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_gloria_whatsnew.php The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 7 (Gloria) http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-7-gloria You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 7 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation Linux Mint 7 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive ALSO WORTH CONSIDERING LINUX MINT 6 Linux Mint 6 Download http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=31 Linux Mint 6 Release notes http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_felicia_whatsnew.php The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 6 (Felicia) http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-6-felicia CURRENT SESSION Linux Mint 7 ext4 (GRUB 2) with Compiz 0.8.2 http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38 http://wiki.compiz-fusion.org/ LUg.

there are many distributes of Linux. the most common are probably ubuntu: http://www.ubuntu.com/ and kubuntu: http://www.kubuntu.org/ then you have xubuntu: http://www.xubuntu.org/ and edubuntu: http://edubuntu.org/ for educational purposes you have live cd's too, like knoppix http://www.knoppix.org/ or backtrack http://www.remote-exploit.org/backtrack.html all linux destributes are mostly free for download on there websites, so enjoy and try some of them !

Well, if you are really desperate and want Linux: http://www.ubuntu.com/ But I like both Windows XP (not Vista) and Mac OS 10.6. If you want performance and reliability, go with Mac www.Apple.com

TBRMInsa has a great link to take a test to find a good version of linux. After you take the test go to the homepage of the distribution and also download the documentation for how to install, and setup linux. They will also have instructions on how to get more software and handle all the basic tasks in linux. Rememeber linux is different (as some of the posters have said) but not hard. You do have to learn the linux way of doing things. If you try to use the windows way of doing things in linux you will get very frustrated. Have fun

There's no such thing as "best OS". It always depends on your needs. As for me, I'd stick to Windows. Everybody (almost) uses Windows, and with it you won't have any compatibility issues. The only disadvantage would be the number of viruses designed specifically for Windows systems, but you'd get a lot of help anyway. Macs are not bad, but they're expensive. That's all I can say. I have tried Linux and it is really a pain. Everything. You'll actually spend more time in setting it up than actually using it, and the results are not even satisfactory. For a student like me, at least. I have not familiarized myself with OpenOffice, and also opening files saved in MS Office won't look as good, let alone the same, as in OOo. Media codecs? You would have to download a lot. All of them. There's not even a single Linux OS that exists today that supports mp3 formats by default... Anyways, these are just my opinions. If you want to try Linux, go for Ubuntu. Just so you know, I've been using Windows XP for 8 years now, and I'm happy with it. I haven't switched to Vista or 7 because they can reduce the performance of your PC by up to 30%. I'll write an article later for the full details.

My suggestion is running dual boot so you have the best of both operating systems, why be limited. I run all my computers dual boot. I have XP and Vista comuters. My choice of Linux is one that gives you the familiar Windows look and feel. I use PCLinuxOS 2009.1 the KDE version. Download it through a torrent. I don't Like the 2009.2 version. Then run it as a LiveCD and check it out. The file repositories are maintained by and educational institute in Indiana and current. It updates when new files are available. After getting use to it, I run Linux 90% of the time and Windows only 10% of the time. People who complain about it really haven't used the Linux that is right for them, or tried to install software the hard way or just simply do not understand how to use it. I have 250 Linux LiveCDs in my closet and yes it took that many to find one I love and suggest using. If you feel up to checking out answers I have given, there is a lot of information provided that would help you.