Distros

PCLinuxOS, originally based on Mandriva, is a desktop-oriented Linux distribution that aims to be attractive, fast and easy to use. It runs in Live mode so you can try it out before installing -- just boot your PC from this DVD and select it from the boot menu. See the magazine's disc pages for more information and an installation guide. (Quick reminder: the 'guest' account password is 'guest', and root password is 'root'.)
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Based on Debian, SimplyMEPIS 8.0 is a Linux distribution designed to have the best hardware detection and pre-configured user experience. It runs in Live mode -- just boot up your PC from this DVD and select it from the boot menu. There's more information in the magazine's DVD pages. (Quick reminder: the 'demo' account password is 'demo', and root password is 'root'.)
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Slackware is the longest-running Linux distro, and favoured by many for its simplicity and cleanliness. Slack doesn't have heaps of graphical config tools and wizards, but its packages aren't loaded with patches and therefore you get a very 'pure' Linux flavour. Here are two ISO images for burning to CD-Rs to install, plus a few Slack package management tools. See the magazine feature for more info on what makes Slackware great, and the 'slackbook' PDF for a complete guide to the distro.
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Zenwalk is a GNU/Linux operating system, designed to provide the following characteristics: modern and user-friendly (latest stable software, selected applications); fast (optimised for performance with an Xfce desktop); rational (one mainstream application for each task); complete (full development/desktop/multimedia environment); evolutionary (simple network package management tool - netpkg). To install it, read the disc pages in the mag, then boot your PC from this DVD and hit the down arrow key until you can select it from the boot menu.
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