The purpose of this article - to answer questions new to Linux, which they may have.

What is Linux?
If taken literally, then Linux - just the operating system kernel, but since kernel by itself - nothing, then it needs the program. If we take the kernel Linux, add to it the software (eg, various desktop environments, software for recording CDs, browsers, etc.), configure it to work okay, and let it its name - get the distribution.

Since both the kernel Linux, and most programs written for it are distributed under the GPL, then absolutely any user (or developer) can get the source code required him to produce and use it to create your own program, or to change existing ones, provided that it will distribute its product with the same conditions. And because each developer their own opinion on how it should look like OS, as there are such opinions from developers, so there is a distribution (and there are many).
Well, since the result is a huge amount of distributions, we must somehow distinguish the fact that they are working on the kernel Linux. For this condition at the end of its name attribute to the word "Linux" (eg Kubuntu Linux or SuSE Linux) or "GNU / Linux" (Debian GNU / Linux), although there are exceptions, where the sonority of the name of a word written in the front, or not write at all Smile

With a distribution to start and how to get it?
Because many people, so many opinions, the ideal distribution does not exist in principle, so when choosing a distribution is necessary to start with yourself and ask yourself: What do you want from the distribution?

As shown, the most commonly used by Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Mandriva, Slackware and Gentoo.

The first 4 distro designed for those who do not want to repeatedly edit строительство и ремонт помещений configuration files manually compile software from source, etc.
The last 2 - on the contrary, for those who want to learn more about Linux.

It is also necessary to be defined and appearance. Most commonly used KDE and GNOME.

Here is the KDE 4.3:

But since Gnome 2.26:

Upgrade to Ubuntu contains Gnome, distribution Kubuntu - KDE, many other distributions, or just have both, or can be installed on the choice during installation (but this does not mean that it is impossible to install Kubuntu in Gnome, it just does not come with it .)

You can also pass a special test: Linux Distribution Chooser
But like any computer-based test, he could not give an absolutely correct result, however it can be used to choose your first distribution.

Now, on methods of obtaining the distribution:
1. If the distribution is paid (GPL license does not prohibit commercial use of Linux), then the way it will get its money buying through online stores (eg, LinuxCenter.ru), although in some cities there are also shops specializing in Linux. Therefore, the start is still a free distribution, at least if you suddenly something it does not like it, you will not regret it for the money spent.
2. Download the official site. Search the site distribution is quite simple - in most cases, they look like . Org (for example, kubuntu.org)
3. Get the mail. By this method spread distributions Ubuntu and Kubuntu. After ordering at the official site, after about two weeks, you will be sent free CD-version of the distribution.
4. Get some friends.