Links
Linux Distributions
If you are curious about Linux and would like to try it on your own computer, risk-free, you can run it from a CD to get a taste of what it's all about. Obviously you cannot expect the same speed of operation as if it were running off a hard disk, but these are worth experimenting with before committing to a full install.
Try - Ubuntu - their "LiveCD" not only allows you to sample linux, it also contains Windows versions of some of the free software mentioned on this site.
For most purposes, the configurability and ease of maintenance of Gentoo is hard to beat. This is our standard deployment for those reasons.
On the other hand, if deploying on a low-powered system, the well-known Debian is first choice; it is also designed with continued system maintenance in mind.
For sheer ease-of-use from a MS Windows refugee's point of view, Mandriva (formerly Mandrake) is an excellent choice; it has been put together in a way that makes things easier for ex-Windows users.
Note that ALL of the above can be downloaded perfectly legally for no cost. If you don't have a broadband connection or would prefer to get a CD, these can be purchased very cheaply (around £2/cd) at the Linux Emporium who offer great service.