which linux distro should I choose and why ?

[anyweb]

I wouldnt recommend Gentoo to a linux noob, it's certaintly not noob-friendly

 

and I have no idea about archlinux either,

 

if a noob is about to try linux for the first time i'd advise them to chose a popular, well supported, easy to install distro like (in no preferred order)

 

* ubuntu

* fedora core

* suse linux (opensuse)

 

all of the above are well documented, well supported both via official and non-official forums and relatively easy to get installed/working

 

cheers

anyweb