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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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If they are willing and able to learn something with a radically different interface: Fedora.
If they aren’t: Linux Mint. There is nothing easier for a former windows user than Mint and it has a ton of built in tools for any kind of user. Not to mention forums support and massive package repos (+ built in flatpak).
Calling GNOME a radically different interface is kind of overstating it. It basically just replaces the taskbar/dock with the overview
Maybe overstating it some, but it requires a different way of thinking about the desktop to be used to its full potential.
You got the typical recommendations already, my advice would be to avoid most of the niche distros. I just don't think they offer much over something that is more mainstream, especially for your first foray.
The first distro I ran for any significant length of time was Fedora.
Linux Mint for everyday users, Pop!OS for gamers, OpenSUSE or Manjaro for thechy people with already good windows skills.
Why not Ubuntu? I don't trust Canonical. They're a bussiness, and they made several questionable decisions in the past.
I agree except for Manjaro. EndeavourOS is a better Arch derivative I think. There are quite a few reasons but the one that bugs me the most is I’ve had things break because they hold back packages from upstream.
I agree, also the holding back of packages just for the sake of waiting probably doesn't make it more stable, despite what the devs say; also having 300+ packages updated at the same time might make it worse for troubleshooting in case something goes wrong.
As someone who actually started with Manjaro back in 2020 before moving to EndeavourOS after 9 months, I would say that there is indeed a steeper learning curve as you don't get for example a GUI package manager (Pamac is awful and even as a newbie I used it for maybe three days before I started to use the CLI, but a Linux beginner might want one) and the fact it is a true rolling release means you need to do some more research and maintenance, so I wouldn't call Endeavour a distro for absolute beginners, unless one is determined to learn a lot about how a computer works... but again one shouldn't probably use a rolling release then; Manjaro just tricks you to believe it is easier, but it probably is only if you don't use the AUR.
Maybe Garuda is more beginner friendly than EndeavourOS while avoiding most of the problems Manjaro has? Although I've never used it as I don't see any advantage over Endeavour, and I'm not a fan of excessive out of the box theming and Chaotic AUR enabled as default...
Garuda has a Lite edition that doesn't include any of the theming, just vanilla KDE Plasma. It's been my daily driver for a year or two now, I really like it. What sets it apart are the GUI tools for system maintenance and tweaking, in which it'd be easy to mess things up, but they make doing common changes and adjustments easy. I don't know if that makes it good or bad for beginners, I guess it depends on the person.
now that arch has an actual install script, i'm not sure if there's much reason to use an arch derivative instead of just using arch
A beginner wouldn't want to use an install script. Unless it's changed since i used it a few months ago it's much less user friendly than a gui installer like the one ubuntu has
"Sigh*. I've been using Manjaro for two years now and I haven't had problems. Everything always worked smoothly.
I don’t trust Canonical. They’re a bussiness
So are Linux Mint Ltd, System76, Manjaro GmbH, and SUSE S.A., btw.
I agree with you 'questionable decisions' remark but if you want to go to an option by an organization that's not a business, you don't have that many choices in the Linux mainstream.
You can dislike Canonical for whatever reasons, I would like to hear them. Saying "They are a business" is a bit disingenuous since all these distros have a business backing them and commerical interests in mind.
Fedora for coders
And Manjaro for no one. The distro is run by clowns
I really liked Crubchbang back in the day, but since it (and bunsen) have disappeared, after some distro hopping I settled on Lubuntu. It's nice and simple like Gnome 2 or Windows xp. Nothing surprising, and nothing trying too hard. Very intuitive for long time GUI users like myself, with none of the stability issues that plagued actual GUIs from the past.
Ubuntu
Ubuntu is the typical go-to.
Id recommend pop!_os personally.
Fedora is another great option.
The reality is, as a new Linux user, you'll probably hop around quite a bit. I say go for it! Try out everything you want.
Honestly I've been very satisified with ostree-based distros, specifically Fedora Kinoite (Silverblue for GNOME) and it's very hard to fuck it up and it encourages flatpak usage.
Other than that, the recommendations on the article are pretty good.
I installed silverblue for my wife (not tech savy) and is worry free, super stable, auto updates, everything just works, is actually great
Stepping into the labyrinth of Linux distros, are we? It's like choosing your first pet, and equally as exhilarating (and can be as much work for the first time owner).
I'd say, cozy up with Ubuntu ( a current daily Arch and openSUSE user myself).
Why, you ask? Let me paint you a picture.
Imagine Ubuntu as a Labrador - friendly, accommodating, and doesn't chew up your furniture (or in this case, your patience).
First off, Ubuntu's UI is intuitive and user-friendly. It’s like it holds your hand through the twilight zone of the terminal. Also, it's well-documented, with a vibrant community ready to assist when you hit a snag. And here's the cherry on top - it’s Debian-based. This means a massive software repository, making installations a breeze. So you can spend more time enjoying the Linux landscape, and less time wrestling with software dependencies.
So while it isn't perfect (or everyones cup of tea), I still believe it provides th easiest out-of-the-box experience for new Linux users.
As you grow in confidence, feel free to explore the wilder breeds. 😉 Happy journey!
Very interesting read.
As it is based on Ubuntu, do Canonical controversies also apply to Linux Mint?
Well, that depends which one you mean ;-) They've been extremely good about staying away from snaps, which is fantastic, and they never did the 'advertising banners in apt update nonsense. They changed to systemd as well, which was a controversy at the time, but most distros have done that now.
Sidenote: I love the little arrows you had for links, how did you achieve that?
I would recommend Zorin OS. It has a good interface presets in the paid version (Windows, MacOS, etc) and a database with recommendations based on which app you open (e.g. if you try to open a Windows .exe program, it recommends Wine or Lutris).