OS choice between: Debian, gNewSense, and OpenSolaris

"Based on the description of what you do, I would also recommend Ubuntu. There is little difference in the software available for Debian, gNewSence, & Ubuntu as they are all debian or debian branches.

Personally, OpenSolaris would be my last choice, due to limitations on support and package availability. It uses a unique package management system. Yes, it's been around forever, but that doesn't mean it's better. It's unix ""base"" is no stronger or weaker than any other.

Frankly, there is massive overlap between the many flavors in the *nix family. Your run in a desktop, become a KDE or Gnome, or other fanboy and run more or less the same apps no matter what distro you pick. So what's the big difference? For you as the person who has to fix it when it breaks it's the details of the system files and drivers.

The layout of /etc tends to vary from distro to distro. Some things are the same, but when fixing something on your machine, you'll have the best chance of getting accurate information from others using your distro. Personally for me, that's why I tend to stick with more mainstream choices. Picking from your list, that would be debian.

If you notice, no one has answered your 'simple IDE' question. It's because an IDE is more about what language your developing in that what OS you are running. For example if your coding in Ada or Jovial, I would definitely recommend Understand."

"""Totally Free"" means your choice number 2 will be LESS user friendly. Ubuntu is great because all the non-free stuff (binary graphics or networking drivers and so on) just work, as compared to trying to find a (possibly non-existent) free alternative.

I'd say go with Ubuntu if you're not well versed in *nix. It's easy to set up, and even if you find yourself wanting something different in a while, it will have allowed you to get your feet wet with a minimum of fuss."