As part of my linux blog’s efforts to make Linux more known to the NON IT folks in North America, I have started a Comparison List of the latest Linux Distros that have just been released…
Fedora (9, http://fedoraproject.org)
The natural evolution of Red Hat Linux now turns 9. With each new release, more innovation is added to enhance the Fedora experience. To try out Fedora, download either the Live CD or the Install DVD at http://torrent.fedoraproject.org
Ubuntu/Kbuntu/Xbuntu (8.04)
Currently, this is the most popular Linux distribution. Although it was not made in America, (Isle of Man being the origin,) it is the most versatile of all the distros. Check it out at http://www.ubuntu.com. Kbuntu runs on KDE and Xbuntu runs on Xfce. To learn more about them, go to http://www.kbuntu.com and http://www.xbuntu.com
Mandriva (2008 Spring)
What was once a modification of Red Hat Linux, it turned into an All-In-One distro with a community that rivals both Fedora and Ubuntu. Although it is based in Europe, it is still worth considering as an alternative to Fedora (which is based on Red Hat.)
openSolaris (1.0, opensolaris.org)
The OpenSolaris project is an open source project sponsored by Sun Microsystems, Inc, that is initially based on a subset of the source code for the Solaris Operating System. It is a nexus for a community development effort where developers from Sun and elsewhere can collaborate on developing and improving operating system technology.
openSUSE (11.0 Beta 2, opensuse.org)
Like Fedora before it, The openSUSE project is a community program sponsored by Novell. Promoting the use of Linux everywhere, openSUSE.org provides free, easy access to the world’s most usable Linux distribution, openSUSE. The openSUSE project gives Linux developers and enthusiasts everything they need to get started with Linux.
The goals of the openSUSE project are:
* Make openSUSE the easiest Linux distribution for anyone to obtain and the most widely used open source platform. * Provide an environment for open source collaboration that makes openSUSE the world’s best Linux distribution for new and experienced Linux users. * Dramatically simplify and open the development and packaging processes to make openSUSE the platform of choice for Linux hackers and application developers.
pcLinuxOS (www.pclinuxos.com)
PCLinuxOS was originally based on another distribution under the name of Mandriva and shares many features of Mandriva such as the Control Center and the Draklive Installer. Texstar and team would like to thank the developers, contributors and others associated with Mandriva who may have indirectly contributed to the PCLinuxOS distribution.
linuxMint (5, linuxmint.com)
Linux Mint is one of the surprise packages of the past year. Originally launched as a variant of Ubuntu with integrated media codecs, it has now developed into one of the most user-friendly distributions on the market – complete with a custom desktop and menus, several unique configuration tools, a web-based package installation interface, and a number of different editions. Perhaps most importantly, this is one project where the developers and users are in constant interaction, resulting in dramatic, user-driven improvements with every new release.
I hope everyone downloads and/or buys a Live CD or Install DVD soon and discover LINUX! 
(Linux CDs/DVDs are sold at http://on-disk.com or http://cheapbytes.com in the US.)
As posted on linuxtoday.com…
