Linux Mint is a operating system for personal computers based on and compatible with Debian. While at the core Linux Mint is mostly based on Ubuntu, the design of the desktop and User interface are considerably different. These differences include a distinct desktop theme, a custom Linux Mint menu and the MintTools, a collection of system tools designed to make system management and administration easier for end users.

  Absolute is a desktop-oriented Slackware -- lightweight but stable. Secure, in that only root user can install software and configure the system. Basically an IT or system-builder's friend in that it can run nicely on old hardware. Very easy for users to get things done because of the software selection and utilities and documentation -- yet difficult for them to mess things up. http://www.pcbypaul.com/absolute/

  www.cosoft.org.cn

  Ubuntu is a free computer operating system based on the Linux kernel. Its name comes from the Zulu word ubuntu, loosely translated as "humanity" or "A person is a Person Only Through Other Persons". Ubuntu's goals include providing an up-to-date, stable operating system for the average user, with a strong focus on usability and ease of installation.

  The Oracle Corporation (NASDAQ: ORCL) is an American multinational corporation specializing in the development and marketing of enterprise software products — particularly database management systems. In 2007 Oracle ranked third on the list of largest software companies in the world, after Microsoft and IBM.

http://www.oracle.com

  Novell Inc. NASDAQ: NOVL is a global software corporation based in the United States specializing in enterprise operating systems such as SUSE Linux Enterprise and Novell NetWare; identity, security and systems management solutions; and collaboration solutions. Together with WordPerfect, Novell was instrumental in making the Utah Valley a focus for high-technology software development. Today this area has many small companies whose employees have previously worked at Novell.

  Red Hat, Inc. (NYSE: RHT) is a company dedicated to free and open source software, and a major Linux distribution vendor. Founded in 1995, Red Hat has its corporate headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina with satellite offices worldwide.

http://www.redhat.com/