This is too complicated to be covered in TrinityOS. You'll find lots of help elsewhere though!
Here are a few comments that talk about what Linux distribution might be right for you.
One thing I've been asked over and over is regarding users trying out Linux with an old Linux CD that was given to them. With the new 2.2.x kernel out, all new Linux distributions BLOW AWAY the old ones in terms of ease of setup, performance, hardware compatibility, etc. So, I recommend that you get a new copy a given Linux distribution and give that a look. And you can't tell me it's expensive when you can get almost ANY Linux distribution for under $3.00 US a CD from places like http://www.cheapbytes.com.
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* What do I use? I currently use Mandrake v6.1 and 7.0 but I'm worried about Mandrake's direction *
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So, with that behind us, here is a few notes:
Redhat, currently in its 6.2 version, is a modern Linux distribution that has a strong installation program and has some great system administration utilities too. One of the best parts of Redhat is its increamental RPM package installation and upgrade system. Another major reason for going with Redhat is its support for the new Glibc2 libraries. Redhat is constantly upgraded and is well supported in the Linux community.
Redhat is a good choice for the Linux newbie that wants Linux running with all kinds functionality without a lot of work. It comes with everything from TELNET/FTP to Microsoft and Novell file server emulation. If you are already a UNIX snob, you might find Redhat's layout wierd (unless you are a Sun Solaris (SYSV) person - the /etc/rc.d/rc2.d layout is similar).
*BUT*, many people don't like Redhat. Why?
1. Redhat has a LOT of extra software built-in. Yes, you can choose the "Custom" installation process and get rid of most of the options (recommended) but a FULL install is 1.5+GB!
2. If you want to *learn* UNIX (not specifically Linux) in the classic LINUX step-by-step fashion and truly understand it (the hardest but BEST way (IMHO)), Redhat probably wouldn't be my first choice! Yet, I do have to admit my opinion is slowly changing though.
3. Redhat changes the entire behavior of how Linux is set up and configured compared to other distributions like Slackware to be more easy to use, modifible via scripts, etc. Unfortunately, Redhat's GUI tools don't easily tell you what it is going to do to your config files. If you want to learn UNIX in a classic fashion, go with Slackware or, to a lesser extent, Debian, SuSe, etc! Those distributions are a LOT more plain and easier to initially figure out.
Version 6.x has enhanced the installation program for easier use and they have updated almost ALL of the tools such as Apache, Samba, etc. Also, the ASCII, NCURSES, and X-Windows versions of the "linuxconf" and "control-panel" GUI interfaces are getting VERY cool!
Mandrake Linux, currently at version 7.0, is a close derivative of Redhat Linux with some changes and add-ons. The main difference between Mandrake and Redhat is that Mandrake is compiled for [ Pentium ] or newer machines. Redhat is currently compiled for Intel 386 (i386) processors. With the Pentium optimizations alone, Mandrake yeilds anywhere from a 10-20% performance increase over RedHat on new platforms.
Next, Mandrake has been adding more customized tools to their distribution. With these tools, like the "Mandrake Updater", administration is easier. If you like GUI tools, Mandrake has them!
One thing I do want to mention is that Mandrake 7.0's new installer called "Drak-X" has some *SERIOUS* problems. I won't go into deep details but both the Xwindows and Ncurses versions of Drak-X's partitioning utils failed to understand some simple partition layouts, etc. Not only that, it just doesn't give you the flexibility of installer methods like Redhat v6.2 does. BUT, it does give the user the option of different default security settings, etc. This is good but I'm very worried about the direction Mandrake is going. Enough said for now.
Slackware, now at version 7.0 is one of the original Linux distributions and it is still one of my favorites. It definately isn't as slick in terms of installation or functionality compared to Redhat but it's laid out in a clear manner. Its INIT scripts (the scripts that are executed to bring the system up) are laid out in a very readable fashion (BSD-style) and everything is obvious (in the open). Slackware will be a comfortable fit for the UNIX guru peoples out there. Like Redhat, Slackware uses a software package system (pkg) for modularized system upgrades. Though it isn't as fancy as Redhat's RPM system.. it has almost all the same functionality. Though patches do come out for Slackware, Redhat's community usually has patches available FASTER.
Though I haven't used Debian much, many people out there seem to like it a lot. It has been best described to me as as a distribution that old Slackware users will LOVE that hate Redhat. Interestingly enough, Corel's distribution and also Storm are based on Debian.
Anyway, Debian doesn't include the kitchen sink in software like Redhat but it's laid out in a good manner and it has it's own RPM-like installation/upgrade system called dPKG with GUI frontends like "apt" or the older too, "dselect". One thing to note about Debian's package system is that it can automatically determine a package's dependancies (what other programs are needed to get this particular program to run) and automatically download AND install the required packages. In this respect, Debian is still untouched in ease of use.
Debian is quite modern and it does support the new Glibc2 library system.
Like Redhat, Debian is reported to be constantly updated and well supported. Many people argue that Debian is even better updated than Redhat though they are considerably slower to release new distributions compared to the other vendors.
Caldera, now at v2.3, is the most commercial of all the Linux distributions. They initially pulled ahead of the pack with a better installation program and auto-installing hardware modules but everyone caught up pretty quick. Caldera is understood to have the easiest installation program of ALL the distributions.
Caldera differentiates itself by trying to meet the needs of the corporate market. For example, they have completed a port of Novell's NDS directory services to Linux. Pretty cool!
SuSE, currently in version 6.3, is a fairly new distribution from Germany. I had previously tried their 5.x version but there was so much embedded German text in it, it bothered me so I gave up on it. I recently installed version 6.0 and it seems much better. Its installation program is pretty good though I think Redhat's is somewhat better. But, SuSE has a nice configuration tool called YaST and they were one of the first to come with the KDE window manager.
There are other Distributions out there to pick from depending on your hardware platform (Dec Alpha, Motorola PowerPC, etc) such as:
TurboLinux - popular in Japan / Network clusters
LinuxPPc http://www.linuxppc.org - for PowerPC machines
LinuxPro http://www.wgs.com/
LinuxWare http://www.trans-am.com/
MkLinux http://www.mklinux.apple.com/ - For 680x0 and PPC Apples
Stampede http://www.stampede.org/
You'll have to experiment and ask other Linux people what distribution they like and WHY! Personally, I'd recommend to get one of those multiple Distrobution CD sets from places like http://www.cheapbytes.com and try them out yourself!!
For more Distribution details, check out:
http://www.linux.org/dist/english.html
http://metalab.unc.edu/LDP/HOWTO/Distribution-HOWTO.html
http://www.linuxgazette.com/issue31/hughes.html