I will be covering distros in short.
But this is a nice document I use to recommend distros to other people.
Beginner Distros
You don't need any knowledge on linux.
Ubuntu
link: https://ubuntu.com
The elder of the beginner, user-friendly, linux distros.
This is maybe the most common distribution given it's somewhat popular name.
A good beginning.
Fedora
link: https://fedoraproject.org
A simple, comfortable, yet up-to-date distro.
Used by Linus himself.
Pop_OS!
link: https://system76.com/pop
A great distro for gamers, casual users and such.
This distro will hold your hand but also allow you to embark some wild adventures (if that's what you want)
Intermediate
Distro's that can be used as beginner distros but knowledge on linux would be a great help.
Manjaro
link: https://manjaro.org
An arch derivative that "just works" tm.
Advanced
Using this requires knowledge on linux.
Arch Linux
link: https://archlinux.org
My all time favourite distro, it's bleeding-edge and just works given it uses systemd as an init system.
Good docs, big community.
10/10 would recommend.
Void
link: https://voidlinux.org
Using it right now (at time of writing), and it's very nice.
Works well, keeping it simple.
Gentoo
link: https://gentoo.org)
I'm putting it here for now, the docs really hold your hand and the only extra step you're really taking is more configuration.
Expert
Be sure to know how linux needs to be compiled and what to do to get your system to boot.
kisslinux
link: https://kisslinux.org
Maybe one of my favourite distros.
Keeping it simple stupid.
The aren't many docs but with a good understanding of linux you will get there.
lfs
link: https://linuxfromscratch.org
A very good resource to create your own distro... from scratch.
Documentation is really good and extensive, but beware as you will put many hours in this process.
Top comments (3)
Good List. Thanks. By the way, I would also recommend "Puppy Linux" to be added to the list, as it is highly Portable ( Can run on even small Pen Drives ), highly Re-Masterable iso, Can Run on Ancient Hardware too, Can easily make Live CD's out of it too. Here is a link to a Puppy Linux Live CD : sourceforge.net/projects/custom-pu...
No Linux Mint? Strange, looks like it's pretty good for beginners, cause it's the most desktop ready.
I've had personal bad experiences with Linux Mint, but yes it's also a good distro to start with!