Maybe I'll be first to answer this time.  We really need a FAQ for this one.

First rule on choosing your first distro:  Use the one your friends use or 
that someone you know uses.  They can help you easier that way.

Next rule: Go with one of the popular ones.  That would be Red Hat, Mandrake, 
SuSE, Debian, Lycoris.  These all have easy installs and easier interfaces 
for administration duties.  This is by no means an all inclusive list.  Go 
here for the top ten: http://www.distrowatch.com/top.php?1

Mandrake 9.0 just came out and they are shooting for easy use.  Many on the 
list are fans.  Red Hat 8.0 is due out next monday with a newly "simpified" 
(I have not seen it) desktop.

Other than that, personal preference or technical needs rule.  My first was 
SuSE and it worked well.  I use Red Hat now because it is the one the 
management at my company has heard about.

A review of some of them is here: http://www.linuxberg.com/distribution.html

Whatever you choose, someone here probably uses it and can help you.  BTW, 
bring your computer to the Install Fest on Saturday and someone will be there 
to help you install the distribution of your choice!

Disclaimer: All of the above is my subjective opinion and is not meant to 
imply that your opinion on the best distro is wrong.  Flame not intended by 
this message buy I am wearing my foil suit anyway.  ;^)

Alan

On Thursday 26 September 2002 08:05 pm, Michael Knee wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I'm just getting started with Open Source, although I have several years
> experioence with Solaris and HP-UX.  What does the group think are the
> strengths and weaknesses of the various distibutions (Red Hat, Mandrake,
> SuSE)?
>
> Michael knee