LINUX DISTRIBUTION...

Linux distribution is a coherent collection of free software with the Linux kernel (operating system) at its center.

The differences between the various Linux distributions ("distros") are minor: the installation program, choice of the bundled tools/applications, arrangement of a few things on the hard drive (most of Linux is still at the same, standard hard drive location in all distributions). Whichever distribution you decide to install, you will end up with essentially the same Linux.

We mostly use "Red Hat Linux" (also called RedHat or RH) and Mandrake (sometimes called MDK) for the following reasons:

1. They are both very popular (both an advantage for a newbie and a testimony to their quality).
2. They are both general-purpose distributions.
3. They both come with relatively easy setup programs.
4. Both Mandrake and RedHat contributions to Linux are "open software" (this means that all the software written by the packaging corporations and included on the distribution CDs is licensed under the General Public License, GPL, so that it can be legally copied, given away, reused, etc.).
5. Both Mandrake and RedHat can be obtained very cheaply or free if you don't care for commercial support. This is a consequence of (4).
6. Mandrake is based on RedHat, so both are very similar. Software packages for RedHat typically work on Mandrake (and vice versa) without problems. However, Mandrake is a bit more automatized and makes a somewhat nicer desktop than RedHat, and requires Pentium processor on default (RH will run on a i386).

In short, as a newbie, you can safely bet on "RedHat" or "Mandrake" unless you like something else or have specialized needs, or your environment suggests using something else (e.g., if you have an experienced guru nearby, or a bunch of friends who are using Linux, you may want to use the same distribution - makes getting help a whole lot easier). 

CREATED BY : THEVARANI A/P SHANMUGHAM (THEVA)