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Despite Ubuntu continuing to tear up the headlines as the most likely Linux distribution to bring in Windows users from the proprietary OS nightmare, it should be noted that there is a Linux-newbie- friendly world outside of the one created by the Ubuntu distribution.

In this article, I'll highlight the best of the best. Some of these distributions may be based on Ubuntu code, while others could not be farther from it. No matter what though, in the end, each of them can survive without any help from the Ubuntu community.

Mandriva

Like most RPM-based distributions, I have had a love/hate relationship since the distribution's days as Mandrake. But packaging choices aside, make no mistake, Mandriva is a distribution to be reckoned with.

For people unfamiliar with it, Mandriva is sort of like a Euro alternative to the now Americanized SuSE Linux distribution. Both are available for sale in boxed form, but Mandriva does very well in the EU ever since Novell took on SuSE as their own product some years back.

What does Mandriva provide its users?

Despite laying off one heck of a forum moderator recently, Mandriva forums remain active with users and moderators willing to answer questions. There is also something to be said for being able to buy a boxed edition to support your chosen distribution of Linux.

As for the desktop itself, it is generally simple to use. Providing newbie friendliness for ten years will generally provide the end user with a fairly well rounded experience. Mandriva provides easy installation, KDE or GNOME desktops and remains cutting edge with its choice of the latest FoSS software, Linux kernel and usability updates.

SuSE

A German-born distribution gone American thanks to its Novell-based purchase, SuSE today is, in my humble opinion, one of the better distributions. Like Mandriva, SuSE uses the RPM-package management, which many feels is a hindrance. But once you tie-in recent additions such as one-click software installs introduced recently, any naysayers quickly find that SuSE is a distribution that provides enterprise class on the desktop as well as on the server.

To avoid any potential confusion however, it should be noted that there is a difference between SuSE Linux Enterprise (SLED) and the community arm of the distribution known as OpenSuSE. For the most part, the only definable differences that most users are going to see is age and software inclusion. OpenSuSE is using newer code while lacking some Novell-blessed proprietary applications, while SLED is using older, longer-tested code and provides the option of proprietary applications in with the bundle.

What does SuSE provide its users?

On the cutting-edge front, the version of SuSE that keeps most users interested is known as OpenSuSE. Basically this is the community arm of the SuSE project that just happens to be supported in part by Novell. Understanding this is important as it means that even without Novell's continued involvement, the project has a solid shot at living on to continue providing value to the end user.

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