Hi,
I am using windows XP now i want to switch to Linux.
Only bcoz i thought i cud use free software as possible as i can.
Currently there are only three things which im using are illegal
1. OS (Windows XP)
2. Photoshop CS2
3. Dreamweaver 8

Im working as a web developer.

Can any plz suggest me which linux is best for me?
Following are my needs
1. Watching movie
2. Music playback
3. Web Development
thats all.

Im asking this bcoz i only have very little experience with Linux
I tried Redhat enterprise 4, Ubuntu (5,6,7), Fedora (6,7) , Suse 10, Mandiva, and also live cds like Knoppix

From these i like Redhat and knoppix(bcoz everything is pre configured)

When i used fedora i was very much disappointed bocz
i tried install my graphics driver for nvidia chipset, i followed the instruction like goto to run level 3, change that, change this etc
and in the end it told me that it does not have source code for
the kernal and so i cannot install my driver

Also can u suggest me an alternative for photoshop and dreamweaver in linux (dont like gimp) ?

Plz help me
Thanks in advance.

Redhat is easiest to use I would say.

Will it support my chipset drivers etc?

also i need to watch movies

can i install codec packs?

can u explain a bit more?

Plz

thanks for ur reply

They don't make dreamweaver or photoshop for linux.

But you can use them using Wine or find an alternative.

I suggest you give SimplyMEPIS (http://www.mepis.org) a try.

Many Thanks Xlphos,
I have downloaded portable photoshop and dreamweaver. I think I can use them with wine.

Can you plz tell me some thing abt video and audio playback
i need to play all type of video like divx, mkv, avi etc.

Also my chipsets are GL40 and GMA4500MHD.
Are these chipset drivers included in All latest Linux distributions?

Thank you crb3 for your reply.
I haven't heard abt the distribution u told me. That is bcoz i wasnt Linux freak . Anyway im going to give it a try.

I just read some features of MEPIS and it sounds good to me.

Plz help me with this too.

Ubuntu will cover all your needs. I tried opensuse, debian, fedora, ubuntu, linux mint. for multimedia ubuntu and Linux mint for server DEBIAN( god I love debian) and opensuse.
Ubuntu will search for codecs and install them for you without u need enter single line in terminal.
-------
But listen to me: install fresh XP, try to use tiny XP, then download ubuntu or linux mint and install it as host OS, simply by insetrting CD in CD drive and follow the steps. then u have both os.


Ref. Distrowatch.com

I like Ubuntu too. Its my favorite flavor of Linux.#

Try MPlayer.

Ubuntu is currently the best linux distribution after Mandriva and OpenSuse. It is suited for users new to linux, and are thinking of migrating from windows to linux.

Ubuntu releases a new version every 6 months thereby you are always updated to the latest softwares, better driver support etc. And it comes pre-installed with the basic softwares required for internet browsing, watching movies, listening to music etc...

The link below is very useful to get you started with ubuntu.
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/

If it's your first distro i would go for ubuntu which is very user-friendly