what's a good linux os?

Nah, gentoo builds are all automated, for installation, I use prepared xen templates. Haven't heard of sabayon though, will check it out.

oh yeah true that, yeah its good i have been using as my main desktop for quite a while now. It comes with a package manager but generally i emerge most software.
 


Slackware is a good distro, especially for *really* learning how/why things work...lots of distros are now point and click.

Backtrack is only good for cracking WEP keys, at least that's all the use I got out of it.
 
Ubuntu is NOT the easiest, most user-friendly Linux distro, but it is nice. If you want a distro that is easy to get up to speed with everything you need right away, Mint is the best. The reason is because Ubuntu has a problem with including any software that doesn't meet it's hippy standards. Mint comes pre-installed with everything you need and I actually prefer it to Ubuntu.
 
Ubuntu is NOT the easiest, most user-friendly Linux distro, but it is nice. If you want a distro that is easy to get up to speed with everything you need right away, Mint is the best. The reason is because Ubuntu has a problem with including any software that doesn't meet it's hippy standards. Mint comes pre-installed with everything you need and I actually prefer it to Ubuntu.

What's the point of getting the most user-friendly version of linux? For personal/home use, linux is pretty much good for:

1) Learning
2) If you have a really shitty computer
3) You want to run a web server at home and you don't know anything about linux
 
Slackware is a good distro, especially for *really* learning how/why things work...lots of distros are now point and click.

Backtrack is only good for cracking WEP keys, at least that's all the use I got out of it.

I'm just say'n, you goto any real blackhat related community and they'll say backtrack/slackware. itz kewl that there's not many skiddies on this site, makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.
 
it actually depends on what you want from it. If that's just for your desktop then get Ubuntu last version 32 or 64 bit. Good luck.
 
What's the point of getting the most user-friendly version of linux? For personal/home use, linux is pretty much good for:

1) Learning
2) If you have a really shitty computer
3) You want to run a web server at home and you don't know anything about linux

Sounds like you answered your own question. Most people that use Ubuntu do so because it is "the easiest" version of Linux to get working on a desktop out of the box. I'm simply pointing out that it isn't, so if that's what you're looking for - Mint is the way to go. If you're looking to become a Linux guru, chances are you won't be using either one of these anyway.
 
I'd suggest Gentoo (yes even for newbs to linux) if you don't know your way around linux very well by the time you finish installing gentoo you will, which is easily done by following the guide. So not only will it help you understand the OS better, it'll leave you with a great distro compiled for your box... Just my 2 cents
 
What's the point of getting the most user-friendly version of linux? For personal/home use, linux is pretty much good for:

1) Learning
2) If you have a really shitty computer
3) You want to run a web server at home and you don't know anything about linux

Actually, Linux is pretty much good for 99% of what you can do on Windows.
 
Actually, Linux is pretty much good for 99% of what you can do on Windows.

I would get a mac before I run any linux distro on my desktop as my main OS, and I would eat a dog turd before I get a mac.

Anyways, the OP said he's looking to install linux on an old computer to play around with. In that case, I would recommend getting something that will force you to get your hands dirty.
 
Most on here wouldn't have trouble installing them, but one good thing for newbs about Mint is that it comes with things like mp3 codecs and flash already installed.

So does the latest version of Ubuntu. Mint really has no real advantage over the stock Ubuntu install anymore.
 
I would get a mac before I run any linux distro on my desktop as my main OS, and I would eat a dog turd before I get a mac.

Anyways, the OP said he's looking to install linux on an old computer to play around with. In that case, I would recommend getting something that will force you to get your hands dirty.

Well that means you're a clueless idiot. Why don't you leave the conversation to those who *gasp* actually have some Linux experience under their belt before you go ahead and spew your worthless rhetoric around?

It's pretty evident, you never have, or are too stupid / arrogant to run Linux.

Also, no, grabbing a distro like Gentoo that WILL force you to get dirty is not a wise choice unless you like ripping your hair out. Picking a well documented, supported distro Like Ubuntu or Fedora is much more advised as when you do run into road blocks you'll be able to get sufficient help with your problem, and learn at an easier pace.
 
Well that means you're a clueless idiot. Why don't you leave the conversation to those who *gasp* actually have some Linux experience under their belt before you go ahead and spew your worthless rhetoric around?

It's pretty evident, you never have, or are too stupid / arrogant to run Linux.

Also, no, grabbing a distro like Gentoo that WILL force you to get dirty is not a wise choice unless you like ripping your hair out. Picking a well documented, supported distro Like Ubuntu or Fedora is much more advised as when you do run into road blocks you'll be able to get sufficient help with your problem, and learn at an easier pace.

OP: don't mind rage, it's just that time of the month for her. Anways, you're not gonna learn shit if the hardest thing you have to do is click "install package" so get something that will be a little more fun.
 
OP: don't mind rage, it's just that time of the month for her. Anways, you're not gonna learn shit if the hardest thing you have to do is click "install package" so get something that will be a little more fun.

Coming from the guy who's never used Liunx. YEAH that's the advice I would take.