Choosing Linux Distro(Basic)

This is a basic article for those who want to go LINUX way. A Linux distribution is also called GNU/Linux distribution. Is a member of the family of Unix-like software distributions built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions consist of a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players and database applications.There are currently over three hundred Linux distributions. Most of those are in active development, constantly being revised and improved.

Because most of the kernel and supporting packages are some combination of free software and open source, Linux distributions have taken a wide variety of forms from fully featured desktop and server operating systems to minimal environments. Aside from certain custom software a distribution simply refers to a particular assortment of applications installed on top of a set of libraries married with a version of the kernel, such that its "out-of-the-box" capabilities meets most of the needs of its particular end-user base.One can distinguish between commercially backed distributions, such as Fedora as REDHAT, OpenSUSE asNovell , Ubuntu byCanonical Ltd., and Mandriva Linux.


Some known distributers are:

1. CentOS-A distribution derived from the same sources used by Red Hat, maintained by a dedicated volunteer community of developers.
2. Debian-A non-commercial distribution maintained by a volunteer developer community with a strong commitment to free software principles.
3. Fedora-Which is a community distribution sponsored by Red Hat,and widely used in academy side.
   
4. Gentoo-A distribution targeted at power users, known for its FreeBSD Ports-like automated system for compiling applications from source code.
5. Knoppix-The first Live CD distribution to run completely from removable media without installation to a hard disk. Derived from Debian.
6. Linux Mint-A popular distribution based on and compatible with Ubunt,its also lightweight version.
7. Mandriva-A Red Hat derivative popular in France and Brazil for its native support and wide spread user community.
8. OpenGEU-Derived from Ubuntu: The project's goal is to combine the power of GNOME desktop with the eye-candy of Enlightenment 17.
9. OpenSUSE-Originally derived from Slackware, sponsored by the company Novell .And now it has grown to a great extent.
   
10. Pardus-Developed in Turkey, as a product of the Pardus Project. It was named after the Anatolian Leopard.
11. PCLinuxOS-A derivative of Mandriva, grew from a group of packages into a popular, community-spawned desktop distribution.
12. Red Hat Enterprise Linux-Which is a derivative of Fedora maintained and commercially supported by Red Hat.
13. Slackware-One of the first Linux distributions, founded in 1993.This was created by the famous Patrick Volkerding
    
14. Ubuntu-A popular desktop distribution derived from Debian, maintained by Canonical and its predicted that it will be at the top of linux distributors in next few years.
    
15. Kubuntu-The KDE version of Ubuntu.