Linux gurus -- Help

[Stetson]

It's nothing bad here, just want to learn how to use it effectively.

Which version is best for a beginner? 
Are there any tutorials?
Dual boot or build a new PC with just that as an OS?

The last time I touched Linux or Unix was 2001 so I have a steep learning curve.  I remember ls -l, chown and grep.

[mtnbkr]

Any of the current Ubuntu distros should be fine.

Don't know of any tutorials.

I'd build a VM using VirtualBox and not even bother with hardware unless you have a specific need.

Chris

[Fitz]

Dual boot is pretty easy to set up these days. I haven't used it in a hobby enviroment in quite some time. If your computer supports hardware virtualization, then a VM is a great option

As for distro: get a good book, and use whatever distro comes with the book. Some of the Linux books you can find in the computer section of, say, Borders or B&N are pretty good.

Each distro has ups and downs.

I hear that Ubuntu is pretty n00b friendly

[Nick1911]

Personally, I love Fedora.  All distros have their ups and downs, though.

If you choose Fedora,  here is a really solid setup guide that will get you going: http://www.mjmwired.net/resources/mjm-fedora-f17.html

[AZRedhawk44]

I started on Mandrake about 15 years ago.

Was a Red Hat fan until 2002 or so.

The Novell/SuSE merger had me excited and I went SuSE for awhile, working for a place that was heavy into NDS/eDirectory.

Since about 2005 or so though, Ubuntu has been my choice.

Download the Ubuntu Live distro.  Boot off a USB thumb drive and learn on it.  No hardware required, no drive space consumed, no virtualization needed.

[RevDisk]

It's nothing bad here, just want to learn how to use it effectively.

Which version is best for a beginner? 
Are there any tutorials?
Dual boot or build a new PC with just that as an OS?

The last time I touched Linux or Unix was 2001 so I have a steep learning curve.  I remember ls -l, chown and grep.

1. Nearly any. Seriously. They near all have graphical interface installers. I use CentOS, but I'm heavily a server guy. Ubuntu is not a good server OS, but is used by a server OS because plenty of folks comfy with the desktop version. Ubuntu has a friendly environment for new users.
2. Hundreds
3. Go with virtualization

[lee n. field]

It's nothing bad here, just want to learn how to use it effectively.

Which version is best for a beginner? 

If you can't handle Ubuntu, you can't handle anything.  Ouuu.  Except for that abortion of a default user interface.

Are there any tutorials?

Dunno, probably.  Check Ubuntu's website.

Dual boot or build a new PC with just that as an OS?

Take your pick. 

The last time I touched Linux or Unix was 2001 so I have a steep learning curve.  I remember ls -l, chown and grep.

You have the hard stuff, some of it.

Lots of stuff is much easier now.  I haven't had to wrestle with getting odd hardware to work, for a long time.

[RevDisk]

Are there any tutorials?

Video series for beginers:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL86CB94C68F628D19

Long collection of tutorials:
http://ubuntu-tutorials.com
http://www.howtoforge.com/
http://www.ubuntututorials.com
http://idilix.net/ubuntu-tutorial

PDF (quasi official manual for Ubuntu):
http://files.ubuntu-manual.org/manuals/getting-started-with-ubuntu/12.10/en_US/screen/Getting%20Started%20with%20Ubuntu%2012.10.pdf

[roo_ster]

Pro tip:
Learn to manually edit configuration files and avoid GUI config tools like hte plague.  The GUI config tools will change and leave you stranded when versions change, but the config files the GUIs act as intercessors for change at a much reduced pace.