This is a two year old article that has some still good info: The ultimate Linux starter kit for small business
If Yahoo strips the link try googling for: The ultimate Linux starter kit for small business
Using an Ubuntu variant or Ubuntu will give you the most of everything. The biggest community. The most online support. The largest number of packages (applications). etc.
Installing Ubuntu is a good start. If you do not like the interface then install a different one, like KDE, XFCE, Cinnamon, Mate. LXE, etc. You can switch desktop environments at login. Choosing Mint is a bit more limiting. You get Ubuntu's repositories, but you cannot install Unity, if you want to try that. Using Ubuntu you get top try them all. Other than that it is pretty much the same thing at this point. That will likely change next year.
Ubuntu is going with a new startup init system, systemd (as are most distros). Mint is still divided on it. Ubuntu is using a new display manager soon which will be unique to it (Mir) and Mint is going with Wayland. That will not affect users for a bit, but it is something to think about if you are deciding between Mint and Ubuntu. Ubuntu or GNOME leads and Mint has to decide based on that, having one foot in each camp. The gap is growing making some users edgy. Mint has a solid base and good leadership and it has not let users down thus far. Business users tend to not like change too much so I am mentioning it for that reason. We are in for a bit of flux in all distros. Using the LTS will shield users for five years. Going with six month releases makes you a bit of a guinea pig.
Many business users like openSuSE, but it has fewer users, less support and fewer package choices. However, it is a solid environment. Just be warned that it is a different beast from the Debian derivatives, like Mint and Ubuntu. It uses a different package management system (rpm) and has a different admin approach. My experience is that new users can become frustrated, but experienced ones can be quite happy.
For support, Ubuntu and its official derivatives are tops. They release a new version like clockwork every six months. Mint is about a month behind and their versions will only be LTS releases. But LTS is probably best for business. For the *buntu's that means version 14.04 and do not upgrade till 16.04. The intermediate versions require six month upgrades or you lose support after nine months. That can be daunting for newbies. I am not sure what the Mint equivalent of 14.05 is as I do not use it. Debian would also be a worthy choice, but it is not newbie friendly.
For documents you have lots of choice from OpenOffice.org to GoogleDocs to Evernote, etc. There is lots of cloud support and many backup choices. Security is built in with Linux. Use a strong password and do not waiver in using it. Then you do not need all of the anti-this or that as you do in Windows.
Ask lots of questions and when you do provide as much information as possible.
Good luck!
Roy
On Monday, January 19, 2015 11:32 AM, "Gene Henley mhenley2@verizon.net [LINUX_Newbies]" <LINUX_Newbies@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
As I understand it, there are four editions. I have been advised to" Try different editions and distros and settle on that which" you like best."
Mmmmm. I would,except that I defer to experience. What I react to as "like" may not be the best for business. So, I respectfully defer to
those that know more than I. Again. I am in business in home office, planning to use several work stations. I freely admit my lack of
experience.That`s why I post in "Newbie",and why I will respect and analyze answers to my questions. I have tried Zorin,Mint,and Ubuntu
on a limited number of computers. This is no hobby. I`m serious. I think I`ve found the place for info.
Thanks
Respectfully
Gene H
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