What is the best way to learn Linux operating system?

I have always used Microsoft and desire to learn Linux. I am a programmer by occupation, but everything is done via Windows.


Also, which is the best Linux Distribution?

What is the best way to learn Linux operating system?
Ubuntu 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 always happy to help answer any questions that you may have: http://www.ubuntuforums.org





Even 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.





The Synaptic Package Manager makes it VERY easy to install additional programs, and most of them are free.





There is a live CD (which runs from the CD, but is slower), if you would like to try it without having to install it to your hard drive first:


http://mirror.mcs.anl.gov/pub/ubuntu-iso...





Give it a try, I am sure that you will like it. I installed Ubuntu as a dual-boot about 7 months ago, and I finally removed Windows about 4 months ago. I am here to stay.
Reply:The best way is to download a version of Linux and start using it. The Linux homepage (http://www.linux.org/) has a lot of good info, a link to free training, downloads, etc.





As for which flavor of Linux is best - if you ask 7 Linux users, you'll probably get 7, maybe even 8 different answers. I personally like Red Hat, and that's what we use at work (US Navy), but everyone has their own preferences. I suggest downloading one of them, try it out, then download another and another until you find one you really like. Lotsa Luck.
Reply:Learning by doing.


don't mess up with question, "which distro i've to use". U can pick what ever u want. Then if u have question, a lot of forum will answer the question for u.
Reply:The best Linux distro?? This question will different on every people. According to me LinuxMandrake is the best distro i know. It easy to install and configure. But i recomended using Lindows to anyone who never use Linux before. It looks like Windows very much and asy to install.


You can go to http://distrowatch.com/ to check the suitable Linux distros for you.