I know this question gets asked a lot around here but I want to get familiar with linux. I have looked at all the different distrobutions but I am so overwhelmed by how many different flavors of linux there are. I'm looking for a version where you don't need 20 books in order to figure out what your doing. I'm sort of familiar with debian as I have a Raspberry Pi but I still don't have much of a clue about what I'm doing. So if anyone can help I'd be very happy.
Linux Mint. Has most everything pre-installed, based on Ubuntu (which, in turn, is based on Debian) and has a traditional desktop layout. Pretty easy to jump right in. I use it as my every day driver on my laptops.
Mint is definitely the best for starting, in my opinion, but then again I haven't tried every distro there is, so I'll leave that to Zoltan to let you know what the best overall is.
I think there are enough posts on this forum dealing with that question.
The bottom line is: start with any distro you like, once you get more proficient, you're going to be distrohopping and customizing your distro anyway. No two linux users have the same install, it's not like Windows or other console operating systems, it's pure freedom baby...
Well thanks for the input, I think I'll start with mint, hop over to SteamOS when it comes out.
I think Zorin is pretty good for new users.
Linux Mint is a good option. I can also recommend Elementary OS (Ubuntu based), they have a very polished DE (imo obviously). http://elementaryos.org/