I would definitely recommend SuSE, Mandrake or Fedora for a first time linux user. The ubuntu/debian/gentoos of the world are not designed for people who are still learning linux, IMHO.
I really have to challenge that one, Yuri. I guess you haven't used Ubuntu, and you're judging it by this conversation thread?
I'd agree with the Debian and Gentoo summary, but Ubuntu is specifically designed for click-and-go operations. Also, Ubuntu has the same sort of commercially-backed sponsorship as SuSE and Manfrake do, in order to make sure this happens.
Ubuntu is on it's first release - so teething problems will be found. But it really *is* click-and-go on a very wide range of hardware, with the packages that belong to the 'main' repository (which is basically the only one enabled by default).
If the Ubuntu user *chooses* to enable 'universe' and install KDE, they are *unsupported*, and therefore the results they have shouldn't be compared to the stock system. In some ways it's a shame that so many people give the advice to move away from the supported configuration so readily.
Sure, Mandrake have more packages available - they've been at it for longer. KDE will be in the next Ubuntu release in 5 months time, I expect - it's on the roadmap, anyway.
-jim
