Debian, Slackware, or Red Hat?

[tokamak]

the linux users group here at school is having a thing where you can go and they will hook you up with the Linux distro of your choice for free. the choices are debian, slackware, and red hat. ive never used linux before, but i have a lot of extra hard drive space and i wanna just install it and play around. which one should i choose? which is the best for messing around on/learning linux? TIA...

 

[TheOmegaCode]

If you have a LUG there to help you out, I'd go with Debian.

 

[Bremen]

Do not mess with the DUG (Debian Users Group), I did this once and am still regretting it ;0)

Seriously though ask them, whichever distro the members prefer is probably the one you'll get the most help with :0)

 

[n0cmonkey]

How in depth do you want to learn Linux? Go to the sites for each and read the goals they have posted (Im pretty sure Debian and Slack do, I avoid RH's webpage when I can). Determine which one sounds the best to you. Try them all

 

[vash]

RedHat will get you going with it comes to Linux if you've not used it much, or at all.

Debian's package/software/configuration management is excellent, its a good upgrade and you'll probably stick with it over Slackware.

vash

 

[Buddha Bart]

Start with Redhat. Once you're comfortable installing stuff, moving around/using bash, maybe even some scripting, try Debian.

bart

 

[Nothinman]

Since you've got a LUG start with whatever most of them use.

 

[Haden]

I think you should try Debian.