[MediaMole]

I think you're a little behind the times on user-friendly Linux. Red Hat is only available as a server-focused, and very expensive distro. Fedora has replaced Red Hat as the desktop focused, free version. I would recommend SuSe as an RPM based desktop distro.

Debian wouldn't be my first choice either for a user-friendly distro. Ubuntu is derived from Debian and smooths off Debian's rough edges.

Linspire and SuSe are the only two distros I have seen in stores in some time.

[Prime Choice]

Linspire and SuSe are the only two distros I have seen in stores in some time.

I suppose it depends on where you live. Out here in SoCal, I've purchased OpenBSD and Slackware at the local Fry's. I've also found Red Hat (or, as you correctly pointed out, now Fedora) on the shelves as recently as six months ago.

I never much cared to SuSE. Just a bias of mine. Never tried Linspire since I'm pretty happy with Slackware.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Xandros should be included as a candidate....built to coexist with Windows....

For slower and older machines VectorLinux,...slackware based can be a good choice....

Many like PCLinuxOS and Mepis....

Link for PCLINUXOS:

If you think all Linux distributions are made the same... think again.

ANOTHER RESOURCE is :

DISTROWATCH

NOTE....THERE AIN'T JUST ONE!!!