what Linux OS thingy should i use

[btwong]

I have a spare p4 2.4 ghz machine lying around, and i am wanting to put a linux distribution on it so i can use it for a server, webserver, email, normal every day use applications except for games (which my +3500 can take care of).

What i am wanting to know is, what distribution (or is it kernel) should i use? Redhat, Debian, Gentoo, SuSe, or whatever else.

I did comp sci at Uni, and know a little bit about the Unix world, but haven't dabbled in it for a few years.

So i want one that is not too complicated to install and setup, but i still want it a bit of a challenge, so that i can learn more complicated things as i go along.

I long to use only Linux, and get rid of XP altogether (please soon support more games Linux!).

So can anyone suggest some dists to go for?
thanks for all the help...

(btw.. i couldn't find any other threads on this...)

[MisterFlibble]

Fedora Core 5 is quite nice... freshly out too.

Ubuntu is a good desktop distro as well.

If you don't have copies, have a look on your ISP's file download section/ftp server. They usually have them for free.

[stinky]

FreeBSD for a server, for a desktop probably Ubuntu.

[simon_marklar]

i found gentoo's install to be a dream come true. for the first time X worked out of the box without any tweaking.

[wolfpac181]

i found gentoo's install to be a dream come true. for the first time X worked out of the box without any tweaking.

EH????? x out of the box???
last I saw gentoo was a horror to install.

My picks are Ubuntu, Fedora Core, PCBSD, and CentOS. For the newbies.

[kré]

kubuntu for the win

[btwong]

well Fedora Core 5 had 2 votes, so thats what it shall be... now off to find it...

[simon_marklar]

EH????? x out of the box???
last I saw gentoo was a horror to install.

My picks are Ubuntu, Fedora Core, PCBSD, and CentOS. For the newbies.

yeah man. gentoo live install. put the disk in, booted the machine, clicked a couple of buttons, went and got lunch, came back to a working X installation. If i wasnt the only IT guy here i would of thought someone was playing a joke on me.

[ewe2]

If you're just after a server box perhaps CentOS or Debian is more what you need.

[exekewtable]

ubuntu is great for servers.

[Sasq]

going to have to say SuSE, running the 10.1 beta 8 here, with the new pretty xgl stuff from novell.
I use it as my primary work system - I dev java apps - 10.1 final is due about the 13th of april. rock solid, easy updates, pretty well 'just works'
ubuntu is more popular currently as a desktop system, I just find SuSE easier to work with, google the packman package instructions for MM stuff and your pretty well good to go.