Unlike Windows and Macintosh, there are many distributions of software. Each one starts with the Linux kernel, or core, and ships many applications with it.

This creates innovation as the different distributions push each other to be the best, but it can make a difficult choice for a potential Linux user. Which distribution to choose?

Here are some recommendations from other local users.

Mandriva is recommended by Mark Stosberg and is being used by several around town. Mark says "Mandriva is easy to install, use and administer. New and advanced users will be at home."

Linspire is being used on 120 computers at Randolph Southern High School. It is designed to be very easy to use.

Ubuntu is now considered to be the most popular Linux distribution, and is also used by a number of people locally. Read Mark's comparison of Mandriva and Ubuntu.