1. Ubuntu– Ubuntu is my number one pick amongst Linux Distributions. Based on Debian, it is easy to use, even for beginners and easy to install for those that have never installed Linux before. It has great support for most hardware and comes in many variations, including a Server Edition. As well as being a great distro, the community behind it is as impressive. The Ubuntu Forums as well as the many other communities on the Internet can help you solve even the most difficult problems. Another great feature of Ubuntu is its package manager. Ubuntu uses Synaptic to install software and has an “Add-Remove” style application that makes it easy to search for, and install applications and manage package sources without (unless you want to add customs sources) editing any config files. Ubuntu is also very powerful, allowing the user to accomplish any task that can be accomplished with Windows and then some. The default Desktop Environment is Gnome but it can also be configured to use KDE (and if you are the adventurous type, you could install any Environment that you prefer – My second pick is Debian (No surprise since my first pick in based on this). Debian, Like Ubuntu is an easy to use and configure Package Based distribution. The installation is not as pretty as with Ubuntu but should be easy enough to follow for most first time Linux Users. Debian is also not as User Friendly as Ubuntu and requires a bit more Linux knowledge to take full advantage of its power but none the less, it is a great OS/Distro and relatively easy to use once you get your feet wet. Debian also does not include the same level of Support that Ubuntu does with respect to Automatic Updates that, with Ubuntu are supported for 18 Months on each new release.
2. Debian- My second pick is Debian (No surprise since my first choice is based on this). Debian, like Ubuntu is an easy to use and configure, package based distribution. The installation is not as pretty as with Ubuntu but should be easy enough to follow for most first time Linux users. Debian is also not as user friendly as Ubuntu and requires a bit more Linux knowledge to leverage its full potential but none the less, it is a great OS/Distribution and relatively easy to use once you get your feet wet. Debian also does not include the same level of support that Ubuntu provides with respect to automatic updates that, with Ubuntu are supported for 18 months on each release.
3. BackTrack 3- I am not sure that this Distro is appropriate for this particular post but I am choosing it as my Number 3. BackTrack is a Live Distribution (Although it can be installed directly to a hard drive) that is primarily used for Security and Auditing purposes. Unlike the two distros mentioned above, this is intended for those with a bit more knowledge of Linux (as well as Networking and Security amongst other things). The reasons that I like this Distro so much are many. For one thing, it makes auditing security and penetration testing very easy as it is built with all of the tools one would expect for tackling such tasks. Secondly, it can easily be installed on a USB Key or CDRW and booted quickly – giving you time to “Get in and Get Out!” Thirdly, this distribution provides a great platform for those interested in learning more about the internal workings of applications, protocols, services, wireless and in general a computers operation as they relate to exploitation and development/testing.
4. CentOS- Based on RedHat, CentOS (Community ENTerprise Operating System) is another great distribution. Like RedHat, it is package based Distro and uses RPM Packages for installation. It also has a server edition and a large community of Developers and Contributors for support. I like CentOS because it brings me back to my early days with Linux since Red Hat was the first Distribution I had ever used. CentOS like most other Distros is fully open source and free to the public for download. While I like CentOS, I am not a fan of the Desktop Edition and primarily use Cent as a means of testing software in a server environment.
5. SuSe - So here we are; my least favorite flavor of Linux. I will probably catch some flak for this one but here goes. I Hate SuSe! although there are many things to Like about it including its ease of Installation and use and pretty graphics. The trouble arises when you try to compile something from source – What! No Compiler? That’s right, as of the last time I installed this hideous chameleon on any of my hardware, there was no compiler installed by default. Once a compiler is installed, get ready to drive down the dependency superhighway for a week to get anything useful installed. I also do not like the fact that it likes KDE and looks too much like Windows. I suppose for someone new to Linux, this is an ideal candidate for a first distribution but anyone that uses Linux for anything other than a Windows Replacement probably feels the same. The reason it is on my top 5 favorites is because it was easy enough for my Wife to use for an entire year not having any knowledge of Linux.

Well, those are my 5 cents. If you have a favorite Linux Distribution that you would like to add to the list – Feel free.