I'm experimenting with Linux for the first time and trying to figure out what the differences are between different distrobutions. I'm trying them out live disks and have got my eye on Debian, Ubuntu, and Fedora. First of all, what is the difference between KDE and GNOME? and what are the differences between these distrobutions? It all seems to be the same to me, as it looks like all of them can be customized the same way. They all just seem to have different default settings. Hmmmm...

I prefer Gnome. But then I really like K3B over Brasero when it comes to a disk burner. KDE programs usually start with the letter 'K'. I like the Shisen-Sho mahjong game that came with KDE 3. KDE is now up to 4.6 now in versions. Debian has a stable version called Squeeze. Before they had Lenny and at one time Sarge. Ubuntu came from Debian. Fedora is a well built OS from Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Debian and Fedora are what are known as major distributions. Then you have hybrids of different major and minor distributions. For instance, Mint uses stuff from Ubuntu and Debian but then can remind one of Fedora, too. Fedora is an offshoot of Red Hat. I am really liking this Mint 10 codenamed 'Julia'. There are over 4000 flavors and growing daily. And we haven't even mentioned BSD. Yep. Lets not even mention it. I don't want to confuse you. It sure confuses me.
If you get a chance go to Distrowatch.com I am there daily reading and listening to the stuff when I am not downloading a new distro. I really like burning ceedees and DVDS. It really is an obsession with me of late.
At Distrowatch.com you can get screenshots of the desktop and read the release information. Check out those podcasts. They are really interesting to listen, too. Especially the 'Going Linux' podcast. They do evaluations from the laymen's and more knowledgeable Linux's users' point of view.
I am off to download this new Pinguy distro.

So one difference is that they come preloaded with different applications? Can't you just install any linux app on any distro whether it be gnome or kde? And can't you customize your desktop all the same ways for any distro whether gnome or kde?

Ok, that helps

Just my personal opinion, that KDE seems to be visually more pleasing, but I also find it more crash prone. Not that it will, but I did have hickups using Kubuntu, although I really liked graphical interface.

KDE and gnome are the big two 'desktop environments' in the linux world. They aim for feature richness and pointy clicky ease of use. They run on top of the X window system (xorg, right now) which is the base of gui heaven. Some see them as bloated resource hogs and opt for something lighter, such as xfce or lxde. Still, others don't see the need for the silliness of an 'environment' and use a simple window manager such as icewm or, my favorite, fluxbox.
It's true that linux is linux (pretty much). So, simply put, a guy could make a debian install look and act like a mepis, with time and patience. Distibutions put their own little tweaks into their kernels, modules, software apps all the way up to the look and feel of whatever gui they might offer.
I think one of the best bits of advice you could take is don't be in a hurry. Play with some live CDs and get a feel for what YOU like/ dislike about what they offer.
Have fun!