These are probably REALLY stupid questions, but here it goes:

All these different names...Madrake, Fedora, RedHat - are all of these "flavors" of Linux? I assume that since it is open source, there are quite a few widely distributed versions that are more popular than others?
Secondly - how hard is it to find the software and applications you all need or want to run on your systems?

Sorry again if these questions aren't really worth of your time...I just figured I'd ask some of the resident experts and people in the know...

Thanks...

JB

Since you are starting with Linux you might want one of the more "mainstream" distributions & that would be a RedHat based distribution.

You have the choice between Fedora & Mandrake.

An easy place to find ISO files is -> LinuxISO

Make sure you read all the sticky threads before asking questions as most of the early problems you will run into have allready been answered.

Have fun.

I will definitely do that Didou...many thanks...

This is a very useful place if you are moving from Windows world and don't quite know what to look for:
http://linuxshop.ru/linuxbegin/win-l...en/table.shtml