Melbourne PC User Group 'Mainstream' Linux Distribution Disks

The 4 distributions listed below are among the most popular. They will require a reasonably modern machine with 512MB RAM minimum, 1GB RAM recommended. They have full featured desktops, and are able to take advantage of many 3D video hardware setups, including Intel i865 or later on board video chipsets.

Typically these distributions include the OpenOffice Suite (Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Presentation and Database functions), the Firefox Web Browser, an email program and software for digital photos. Extra software can be easily added after the initial installation using a package manager.

	Gnome Live/Install CD or KDE Live/Install CD or Install DVD	FEDGLICD FEDKLICD FEDIDVD	Fedora - The goal of The Fedora Project is to work with the Linux community to build a complete, general purpose operating system exclusively from open source software. Development is done in a public forum. While quite stable with a full suite of applications, Fedora often includes leading edge software enabling users to evaluate the latest and greatest.
	Gnome Live/Install CD or KDE Live/Install CD or Install DVD	MANGLICD MANKLICD MANIDVD	Mandriva - Mandriva Linux (formerly Mandrakelinux) was created in 1998 with the goal of making Linux easier to use for everyone. It has a good set of applications, and its own system management utilities provide convenient access to both desktop and system configuration. One of the distributions well suited for Linux beginners.
	Gnome Live CD/Install or KDE Live CD/Install or Install DVD	OPSGLICD OPSKLICD OPSIDVD	OpenSUSE - The openSUSE project is a community program sponsored by Novell. Promoting the use of Linux everywhere, this program provides free, easy access to openSUSE, a complete Linux distribution. OpenSUSE has a very polished desktop and a huge range of extra applications from which to choose.
	Ubuntu Live/Install CD or Kubuntu Live/Install CD or Xubuntu Live/Install CD	UBULICD KBULICD XBULICD	Ubuntu - Ubuntu is a complete desktop Linux distribution freely available in a number of different formats, with the main difference being the desktop environment offered. Ubuntu has a GNOME desktop, Kubuntu has a KDE desktop, and Xubuntu has an XFCE desktop. When installed, the user can download another desktop environment and use it without re-installation. Very popular as a beginners distribution, with essential desktop software such as the Openoffice suite, Firefox browser and an email program.