Getting my feet wet with Linux

[Citadel535]

I am really interested in an operating system just to surf the web and do basic computer tasks and want to learn some Linux skills

I am downloading Fedora currently and was wondering if this would be a decent one to start with. Essentially if I can do basic computer tasks without it crashing - that would be great! I want something that is well developed and maintained yet also one that I can advertise as a Linux skill on resumes with as a plus(in other words a mainstream one and not hard to find or unheard of ones).

Is Fedora good to start with?

 

[Crusty]

Yep, Fedora is great to start off with. Have fun!

 

[Nothinman]

If you want to do professional Linux Fedora and SuSe are good to learn, most places that buy support purchase either RH EL or SuSe.

If you want a general all around good desktop that is simple to maintain I would suggest Ubuntu or Debian. Debian is a little more daunting at first because the installer isn't GUI and it expects you to learn/know a little more about unix from the beginning. But once you get the basics figured out there's nothing like it, I've had my home Debian install for over 5 years and I'll probably have it for many years more unless something really bad happens, like say my computer gets hit by lightening. Ubuntu is new, but based on Debian and the Ubuntu people are working closely with Debian so the maintenance benefits should be the same.