This section really lacks stickies so why not start with a topic to index some linux distributions?

Many people don't know which distribution to install just because there are too much choice, I think we can help there.
Don't make it as long as the story as your life; the goal is too give an *idea* on which distribution will fit someone better.


Slackware:
Latest stable version: 12 (see this topic)
Latest developpment version: 12; updates approximately twice a year
Philosophy: Keep It Simple, Stupid; packages without dependancy checking
Pros:

• lightweight and fast
• up-to-date
• configuration does not rely on graphical tools; useful when your graphical server is dead...
• ultra-stable
• 110% customizable

Cons:

• installer lacks good repartionning tools (but has good partionning ones)

OpenSuSe:
Latest stable version: 10.2
Latest developpment version: 10.3alpha5, 10.3 stable planned for 04/10/07
Pros:

• up-to-date
• yast2, the easiest and most featured linux installation and configuration tool
• nearly perfect hardware support, including tv output, bluetooth, infrared, laptop power-management (better then XP's)
• all imaginable softwares have suse packages

Cons:

• a bit heavy
• too many dependancies sometimes

i shall add some more i dont have much to say about them though

Fedora Core
Latest Stable version: 7
Includes KDE and Gnome
(it used to anyway)
Based off Red Hat
it uses the RPM packaging system
easy to use installer

Debian
Latest Stable version: 4
Includes Gnome
KDE?
It uses the deb packaging system

Ubuntu
Latest Stable version: 7.04
Includes Gnome
K\X\Ubuntu linux is based of Debian
It uses the deb packaging system
LiveCD based installer

Kubuntu
Latest Stable version: 7.04
Includes KDE

Xubuntu
Latest Stable version: 7.04
Includes XFCE

Mandriva
Latest Stable version: 2007 Spring
Formally known as Mandrake.
Easy to use, nice installer.
Includes KDE and Gnome
(it used to anyway)

Puppy:
Latest stable version: 3.01
Latest development version: 4.00; updates about twice a year
Philosophy: Old hardware/speed and responsiveness with ease of use
Pros:

• Fast
• Easy to use
• Good old hardware support
• Good community

Cons:

• Single user runs as root

PCLinuxOS:
Latest stable version: 2008
Latest development version: ?; updates about ? a year
Philosophy: Ease of use
Pros:

• Modern up-to-date software
• Easy to use
• Good hardware support
• Good community

Cons:

• RPM not quite as widespread as DEB

Knoppix:
Latest stable version: 5.1.1
Latest development version: ?; updates about biannually
Philosophy: KDE focused Live CD
Pros:

• Range of included applications
• Fairly easy to use
• Good hardware support

Cons:

• Hard disk installation isn't recommended

Linux Mint:
Latest stable version: 4.0
Latest development version: 5.0?; updates about twice a year
Philosophy: from freedom came elegance
Pros:

• Very easy to use
• Great hardware support

Cons:

• Proprietary software

MEPIS:
Latest stable version: 7?
Latest development version: 8?; updates about once a year
Philosophy: Ease of use
Pros:

• Good software
• Easy to use
• Good hardware support

Cons:

• Commercialism

Sidux:
Latest stable version: 2008
Latest development version: ?; updates about biannually
Philosophy: Making Debian easy
Pros:

• Software Compatibility
• Easy to use
• Good hardware support

Cons:

• Support

KanotiX:
Latest stable version: 2007
Latest development version: ?; updates about biannually
Philosophy: Installable Knoppix
Pros:

• Easy to use
• Good hardware support
• Software range

Cons:

• Support

DSL:
Latest stable version: 4.3
Latest development version: ?; updates about once a year
Philosophy: Old hardware/speed and responsiveness
Pros:

• Fast
• Small size
• Good old hardware support

Cons:

• Support

Debian Live:
Latest stable version: 4
Latest development version: 5?; updates about biannually
Philosophy: Stability
Pros:

• Stable
• Wide range of software

Cons:

• Slow development