I know Linux has multiple OSs.  Of the Linux products, which is most user friendly for a novice computer hack?  And how do the OSs - Linux and MS(any others) - stack up against each other?  No opinions please.  I need facts, verfiable reviews and resources.  Thanks in advance for your help.
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For the average user, especially for corporate compatibility, Microsoft OS is the best choice. For the "power" home user or corporate power user, Linux (probably Red Hat, see RedHat.com) is the best choice. There are very good alternatives, these days, to MS product choices that are, for the most part, very compatible (see OpenOffice.org) and free. Linux now offers the stability, useability, and flexibility not found in any OS brought to market by MS. I'm not, however, "bashing" Windows - it is a good product for the average consumer. For linux, I strongly recommend Red Hat -- mostly because I am a RHCT ;) but they do have a strong corporate / support offering.
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The best thing is to download and install it on your own and work on it, not book require, there is too much LINUX information on the web, after all LINUX is open source and so is everything that you need to learn it.\n\nSUSE Linux is really good.\nRED HAT Linux is the most popular one though.
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Windows is easier, but requires many updates as soon as you install it.  \n\n- Bad things about Windows\nWindows requires Anti-virus\nWindows requires Anti-spyware\n\n- Bad things about Linux\nLinux is difficult to learn and experts don't come cheap.  There are no community courses on how to use it, so you have to learn from books on your own. \nIt is difficult (at times) to install new programs, new users and manage user permissions. \nIt is often difficult to add new devices.  Check to see if there is a Linux driver before buying it. \nI fear that the Linux file system is half-baked and unreliable when compared to Windows.  But many overcome this by installing RAID\n\n- Good things about Windows\nThe NTFS file system is awesome\nWhile Windows is not free, maintenance is easy, and it is easy to find someone to help. \nMuch more plug and play devices and programs\nMicrosoft Office is much more connected with other office programs and is much more sharable with others. \n\n- Good things about Linux\nSafe, secure and reliable.  Install the programs that you want and it simply works!\n\nIf you intend to WORK in computers, you will never be unemployed if you know Windows.   If you know only Linux, you might find that there are not enough customers for you.  \n\nGood luck and Happy Computing!
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Install Linux, it is free!  Windows 98 is not free, if you get a copy of it that would be software piracy and therefore illegal.  Linux is better anyway, and it is time for you to learn a new operating system (really, it's not that hard)!
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There are plenty of OS's out there. Linux is just the most popular besides windows. For the average user though, there is no use in going outside linux/OsX/Windows.
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If I had to choose between Windows, Mac, and Linux for security, id pick Linux.  Everyone says mac is secure, but in reality it isn't.   They were hit with, I believe, 38 spyware.  mac only fixed 16 of those.  Now the reason why everyone says mac is secure is because no one wants to target a company with 20% of the market.  Why make a $50 when you could make $1,500?   People target windows not because there less secure, but because they make more money hacking it.  Apple is getting hit, and they do have anitvirus and spyware programs now made just for apple.  \nLinux would be your best bet on security, but, if they become a bigger company, people will hack them too.  \n\nI personally use windows because I figure, they know whats up, they have updates all the time, and they know how to get things fixed when they are breached.  If you have a good firewall and antivirus/spyware program, windows is perfectly fine.  And in my opinion, its easier to use.  Ive used both mac and Linux, and I keep coming back to windows.  And its not because im a Microsoft fan, its actually quite the opposite.  I don't like microsoft, but they are the easiest to use, they have the most programs for it, they are the cheapest, easier fix, everything.  Windows is just more user friendly.  \n\nWindows Vista is coming out, and its supposed to be really secure.  It starts up in different places which makes spyware almost impossible to actually get in.  Its not impossible, but the theory behind it defiantly makes for a more secure system.  The only problem is its a resource hog.  You need a system with a minimum of 512mb ram.  Plus, I believe theres 7 different versions of Vista coming out, so you can get the one best suited for your situation.  \n\nIn the end, its what you want.  All operating systems have draw backs.  Its just which one your most comfortable with.
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I found a lot of problems with Windows and I found the solution that works best for me, Ubuntu Linux.\n\nUbuntu is a great way to go. It is free, and they will even send you free CD's if you can't download it for some reason (if you are asking a question here, I assume you are already online). For me, the best part of Ubuntu is the community. There is a great community of people from around the world, that are very polite and happy to help answer any questions that you have: http://www.ubuntuforums.org\n\nEven though Ubuntu is currently on version 5.1 (Breezy Badger), http://ubuntuguide.org which was written for version 5.04 (Warty Warthog), is still a great guide that is very helpful as well.\n\nBest of all, you can get Ubuntu in Gnome, KDE, and more. If you want, you can even choose which version to use when you log in (requires additional installation).\n\nThe Synaptic Package Manager makes it VERY easy to install additional programs.\n\nThere is a live CD is you would like to try that first:\nhttp://mirror.mcs.anl.gov/pub/ubuntu-iso/5.10/\n\nGive it a try, I am sure that you will like it. I installed Ubuntu as a dual-boot about 4 months ago, and I eventually removed Windows a month ago. All of my Windows problems are solved, and I am here to stay.
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MS Word 2k is better, though it may take a little bit more space, plus you have to pay for it around 70 bucks? though that's for the new ones- xp and 2003 i think.\n\nGet Open Office, it's originally made for Linux by Sun Microsystems (the company that invented Java lol), but they  have several versions for Windows, its a whole suite so you get a wordediting, chart editing, presentation editing, etc. 5or 6 things total that completely substitute Windows Office, plus its all free, just download it from http://www.openoffice.org, download is like 90 mb, then extraction 92 mb or so, and installed it's 250 mbs total, though Win Office 2003 is about a gig, Open Office, is less space taking, has all same features, is a lot easier to use, is a lot faster, hardly ever crashes.\n\nIt takes about 20 mintues to install it ( for novice users), took me about 5 minutes, I have been using the windows version for several monthes now, it takes a little bit of time to get into it after using the Windows Office, but it's a lot better, also go to http://www.download.com and http://www.softpedia.com to look for specific word editing programs, there are many free, good small programs for editing them, there's just less support for third party editing.\n\nIn the end Open Office is the best.\n\nIf all the Office Suites were listed Win Office would be first only because you have to pay for it, Open Office would be second just because its freeware, but it deserves to be free.\n\nMore thatn 8 thousand man hours went into making Open Office, so it's  been made almost perfect.\n\n\nIf you need help with anything else email me:\nlevlozhkin@gmail and @yahoo, also I'm on yahoo messenger, aim messenger- REEFORMED and at msn messenger - REEFORMED\n\nFeel Free to talk to me, or ask for help and advice, in Linux  and Windows, not Mac though (only mac I have is 8.6 version which died almost a year ago, and since then I haven't even turned it on)\n\nLev \nHope this helped
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If you want to play games windows is the best OS at the moment but Linux is the better OS for just about anything else especially the internet.\nIf your interested in linux, I would suggest you download a copy of suse 10.1 from: http://www.novell.com/products/suselinux/?sourceidint=productsmenu_linuxprofessional\nand take your time to learn how to use it, it's got good documentation and easy to use, if you install it to dual boot with windows you will eventually have the best of both worlds. I only use linux now and have learned more about using a computer with it than I ever did with windows.
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linux lacks the basic third party support of windows and it isn't easy to use but it is free...\n\n\nwindows is a massive uncaring corporate piec of software crap with huge security issues and nothing is ever free with windows....i personally think mac is the way to go...
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I know a few people with non genuine versions and they have been online for years. You aren't a fool. No one expects a computer to contain a os that isn't authentic. Do you know much about changing the os? Try Linux. Look on Ebay for a version with temporary support, it will cost a little but not anywhere near what it costs for Windows. SUSE(a type of Linux) comes with 30 days support when bought in box form. That is the only real drawback with Linux is the lack of official support but there are forums you can pose questions for great answers and most everything is being written for the Linux system also these days. Give it a go if you can't get the Windows to work properly, the great thing about Linux is that once you bought the system, you can put it on whatever computers you want, unlike Microsofts os. Linux want to be spread around the world. They work towards the free and equitable access to the internet and computers for all.
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do not even think using .Net in linux becouse this platform made by microsoft to make sure all users and developers being windows user .. \n\n.NET is like the core of microsoft now , and i do not think so they give linux his core ..
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Check out these sites --\nhttp://www.gentoo.org/\nhttp://forums.gentoo.org/\nhttp://www.linuxquestions.org/\nread as much information as you can find on these and then in Yahoo search, type Gentoo, click go and see if you can find other informative sites.\n\nLast, but definitely not least, be sure that Gentoo is the right distro for you. Go here -\nhttp://www.linuxquestions.org/linux/articles/Home_Use/Choosing_a_Linux_Distro\nand read the article on choosing a distro. There are links in the article to other sites that can offer help in your search.\n\n(If you need further help, the linux community of users has many avenues of assistance. Join the forums of several linux sites and read what they have available. Then formulate your questions and post them.)
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Vmware and using a live distro although very good don't quite run linux to it's full potential, if you really want to try it properly install it as a dual boot with windows, it can always be removed at a later date.
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Do yourself a favor by considering upgrading to one of the many Linux operating systems out there. They are now easily available and quite user-friendly. Linux is not proprietary but open source and costs next to nothing. Many British computer Linux magazines usually come with a CD loaded with software and a Linux OS.  The software is usually accompanied by a write up. Check it out. Support is always quickly available at the on-line Linux message boards.\nAlternatively, one can do a Linux search on-line and find the information and downloads  required.\nIf Linux is new to you, learn as much as you can about it and the different kernels that it operates under. You can then decide which one suits you best. Ubuntu Linux is becoming quite popular.\nIn spite of all that, give it a try by downloading Knoppix Linux from one of the many mirrored sites and go to town. It comes complete with an office suite, web browser etc. and is all loaded onto one CD. It runs off the CD so doesn't affect your existing OS. The good thing about it is that it's solid, stable and secure (the 3-S anchor) and, viruses and malware aren't a problem. Incidentally, their word processor should be compatible with MS Word. It's also Firefox compatible.\nGood idea to start learning this is by going to http://www.Linux.com and branching from there.\nIf you're serious about considering the Linux option, I recommend that you purchase the trade paperback 'Moving to Linux' by Marcel Gagne (2006 Pearson Education). It comes with a customized Knoppix CD.\nGood luck.
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I use Linux all the time, I don't in fact have microsoft windows on my laptop at all.\n\nIf you are serious about trying linux I would suggest Suse 10, you can download it for free or pick up a copy from some computer mags or google "buy linux" for a load of sites that sell cheap linux CDs & DVDs. If you get it as a iso file you will have to burn it to a set of CDs.\n\nThere are a couple of things to think about, first of all it is not like Microsoft Windows, it's better in my opinion but does take a little while to learn, so you would be wise to set it up to dual boot with windows while you learn how to use it, Suse will do this almost automatically when you boot from your installation CD, you will also have access to all your windows files with linux. You don't get virus on linux, usually the worst thing that happens is an application will crash once in a blue moon but you don't have to reboot & can carry on using your computer, you never have to defrag and if you install software you don't have to reboot (some linux machines run for years without rebooting) and it comes with about 1500 free programmes, including an office suite to rival Office XP, a couple of very good CD/DVD burning programmes, several internet browsers, desktop publishing, audio players and graphics programmes. Secondly (and this is a slight problem) your internal modem most likely will not work with linux because these are winmodems and need processor power to work, although you can pick up a very good external serial modem on ebay for about £25 try a US robotics 56K modem & to be honest a serial modem works better than a winmodem.\n\nOne thing I did find out about Microsoft windows is that when you buy a computer you only get an OEM copy of Windows which is sometimes slightly damaged, you don't get a full copy, you don't own it Bill Gates only allows you to use  it, even if you get Linux for free it belongs to you to do what you like with it.\n\ngo to http://www.novell.com/products/suselinux/?sourceidint=productsmenu_linuxprofessional\nto see more about Suse, if you are interested in trying it email me.
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When you're starting out with Linux, the best thing to do is buy a used budget price box from eBay and use it to test and install different Linux distributions ("distros"). Be sure to get one with at least 128Mb RAM, and at least a 600mhz processor with 10Gb hard drive or more. You'll soon learn how to run a "Live" Linux CD/DVD to evaluate it (just set the bios boot order to only boot from the CD drive), and you will learn a lot about Linux and HAVE FUN with the world's greatest operating system.\n\nJust surf over to http://www.distrowatch.com to see all the different flavors of Linux which you can get - all at very small prices.\n\nThe Linux community is very friendly and welcomes ALL beginners and refugees from Microshaft :)\n\nGood luck, and welcome to the real world of LInux.\n\nhttp://www.desktoplinux.com\n\nhttp://www.cheeplinux.com\n\nhttp://www.linuxforums.org\n\nhttp://www.distrowatch.com\n\nhttp://www.linuxtoday.com\n\nDC :)