I use ubuntu too. But very stripped down version.

I'm using CentOS - basically Red Hat without all the branding features (binary compatible). It's stable, you can use RPMs, never had problems with it. I used also Ubuntu - wasn't very stable and made problems installed on anything else than the first partition of the first hardrive (had to configure grub after every kernel update), Fedora (quite unstable, it's the testing playground for Red Hat), Slackware (liked it, but they switched to KDE at some time which I do not like).

If you want Ubuntu without all the crap, use Debian.

But if it is his first time with Linux, maybe something as Kubuntu or Sabayon could make him like it

I onl liked the early versions of KDE, not sure why, I'm actually comtemplating installing Kubuntu 5.04

Oh no, i hate KDE 3 LOL, I love KDE 4, is obvious that Windows 7 inspired on it. You can install Kubuntu 9.10 "KDE 3 Remix" https://wiki.kubuntu.org/Kubuntu/Kde3/Karmic

Im going to test some of these in virtual box.

i like openSUSE for a good kde distro. its supposed to be the best kde distro. but if you like gnome i would go for ubuntu or debian. a lot of linux os's are based on debian.

KDE 4 / Mandriva Linux 2009.0 | Really, I have seen not even one error dialogue from it compared to KDE 3.2 (Yep, still have it )
EDIT: (even though the decision is probably made already) GNOME 2.something / Ubuntu whatever-the-newest-version-is (too lazy, still on 11.04 ) | Even better than my first choice now imo.

I use Ubuntu 10 Alpha. I like it.

Like the most, I prefer Ubuntu as i is very easy to use. Also like gnome more than KDE.

I've been using Arch for a long time, great distro.

I recently installed Debian 5.0. Just to have a play with it. A few years back, I used a dual-boot config windows xp/ubuntu for schoolwork.

If you want an out of the box, less to manage pc then use Ubuntu.

Linux Mint. It has all the drivers I needed, with out installing anything. Printers work even on a LiveCD. Great Built in features also.
Download:

http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

I also use Linux Mint.

I used Slackware for a while then installed Linux Mint, and I must say, it really disapointed me

You lot above stating your distro that you're using REALLY need to read the topic, than second guess what the topic is from the person(s) above you has posted incorrectly



Also, moved to Linux forum, just a tad more suited there

Ubuntu 9.10, but 10.04 LTS is coming 29.april!

Depends on what linux user you are... debian is favorite flavor.

It's all a matter of personal preference. I would suggest trying Ubuntu, Fedora, and OpenSUSE and seeing which one you like best.

I used to run Yellowdog on my PS3 before Sony took away that privilege. It was pretty easy to wrap your head around.

It doesn't really matter what distro you choose in the beginning as ultimately, if you're going to stick around the Linux campfire then you're almost certainly going to try different distros as you go along. In my experience Linux users fall into one of the following categories:

1: New to Linux - everything is new to them so it is all deemed "hard to use". They won't necessarily stray far from their distro's default set of applications or what can be easily provided by the existing package management tools with the default set of repositories. Can easily be scared off Linux entirely.

2: Experienced but not proficient - they have become accustomed to their chosen distro's methods of managing various aspects of their OS and feel somewhat uncomfortable venturing away from it. Typical examples may include people who have become used to SuSE/OpenSuSE's way of managing their OS (ie using YaST) and can manage their SuSE system with ease, changing settings, adding new devices, managing installed applications, etc, etc. Put them in front of a non-YaST-based distro and everything feels quite alien to them.

3: Proficient - they have used enough distros with different configuration/management tools that they are quite happy swapping between distros with some degree of regularity. It only takes them a short while to get the hang of the new distro's controls.

4: Expert - they have used various Linux systems for so long that they've given up trying to use each distro's configuration/management tools and just do things the Linux way - multiple command lines sessions open at all times, text editors (typically command-line based ones) abound, editing configuration files manually.

Most users who stick around seem to progress through the 4 stages, of course at different rates though (some seem to get stuck at stage 3... I like to think they're just taking their time reaching stage 4).

As far as my own distro recommendations are concerned, I would personally recommend the following:
Stage 1: Debian Stable
Stage 2: Debian Testing
Stage 3: Debian Testing
Stage 4: Debian Unstable

I prefer Debain since I enjoy setting things up myself and customizing the OS from the ground up. If you want ease or are looking to get started, Ubuntu (or any variation) is good.

However, you'll learn much from doing things yourself

I'm actually a fan of Fedora and I recommend it.
It is easy to use, user friendly and if you use Fedora 15 you'll get to try out GNOME 3!

I would recommend Ubuntu
It has a easy user interface(gnome) and runs very good on old pc's.
If you like the KDE interface more you can download Kubuntu.

I personally tried both interfaces and i like the gnome interface more because it's easy to use.

but the interface is not so important( for advanced user) because most of the functions are better to reach with the terminal