If you want to run Linux on your desktop PC, the choice of distribution becomes more important. Here are the distributions you should be considering and a bit of information about them. More general information can be found in SelectingADistribution.

FedoraCore

The distribution that used to be RedHatLinux, this is the archetypical standard LinuxDistribution, and it's actually very good. Thanks to the BlueCurve theme introduced in RH 8, Fedora Core is very sexy, combines GNOME and KDE very well, and it comes with everything you could want (except an MP3 player -- see FedoraRepositories for that).

Mandrake

Created out of desperation when Red Hat refused to support KDE.

Gentoo

Builds a good KDE or GNOME desktop with a simple emerge.

The following LinuxDistributions (sadly) exist only to pretend they are MicrosoftWindows. Please note that almost no-one in WLUG runs any of these distributions. Choice is a double edged sword. We really recommend you run one out of the above list, but if you feel your needs may be better met, these are all still Linux too.

Xandros

Previously Corel Linux. A Debian based distribution. Commercial, but there's an open circulation edition that's crippled. KDE only, no GNOME.

Lycoris Desktop/LX

Previously known as Redmond Linux (to emphasize it's Windows-clone-ness), this has grown into a reasonable desktop distribution.

Linspire

A 'commercial Linux' by the guy that tried to make money off MP3's. Originally called Lindows OS, it was renamed after pressure from MicrosoftCorporation, trying to pretend they own the word Windows. Designed to be a drop in Windows replacement and they're doing a lot of work on desktop apps (Nvu and Wine.)

Elx Linux

Everyone's Linux. A distro from India that looks so much like Windows it's scary.

Ark Linx

Created by the KDE guy that didn't leave RedHat when Mandrake started, Ark Linux is a desktop distribution based on KDE.

Remember that no matter what you do, LinuxIsNotWindows.

Go get more information from DistroWatch and Desktop Linux