this post was submitted on 29 Dec 2025
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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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Is there a good linux with tech support for less technically inclined individuals? Like ppl just call windows support when they have issues or know they can contact hp, dell, etc. Would they even get help using linux?
Yeah. That's the entire premise of the zorin OS paid tier
Except they only help you with the install IIRC, so basically useless.
Oh. I wasn't aware. I have been running endeavorOS for multiple years so I have only heard about zorin, never tried it. Thx for the cprrenction
you can potentially buy ubuntu or redhat commercial distros. there support is more industry oriented, but i assume they have some amount of beginner friendly tech support. but just guessing here, so please do check before buying anything.
Wasnt asking for myself, was just asking since ppl brought up swapping from windows to linux and thats why the average person wont
sorry, i got confused
Is it a thing that people call Windows or Dell etc. for problems with their PC? I looked quickly at Microsoft's support page and in my country it seems like the only way to contact them is over a chat. But I can understand if the grandma user would prefer a phone call instead of a chat with an AI. Maybe Fedora or Tumbleweed have support over phone? Otherwise I would say all distros have good tech support in forums.
I've been thinking about doing exactly this but for the free and open source applications that I know well. Having a hotline/helpdesk would be way faster and easier for newcomers to make use of than reading forum posts scattered all over the internet that usually assume higher technical skill levels, or starting their own posts. I for one would learned way better this way and in many cases would have been happy to pay (reasonably) for it.
If anyone would like to get involved in setting something up let me know.
Just a heads up, you have apparently never helped any stranger.
Once they know you can help for free, they will expect this of you all the time, for free.
And the questions will be infuriating as ever. If you want to try it, just go to a beginners forum like gutefrage or your equivalent shitposting site and just answer every question on linux. No skipping.
Trust me, or if you dont at least just get a second phone number for it so you dont have to migrate to a second one once you decided that it takes a way too big toll on your mental health
Yeah I don't mean for free. I think that's implied by the "happy to pay (reasonably) for it" part of the comment.
The problem with tech support in general is that people want to have a trusted source. If you are successful in your endeavour, then you are that source. Therefore you will be called for everything. Absolutely everything.
Suddenly all people forget how to search online themselves or to actually look at the problem before reaching out. Not even a turn it off and on again mentality. You are now their source and will do everything for them.
Then it degrades from there. Problems become vague descriptions of "acting funny" and you spend far too much time trying to get accurate descriptions and scenarios to understand the problem before even being able to try to troubleshoot it.
All this jaded negativity is just me making a point that reasonable charges won't get you very far. You will need to charge more to cover the time (yours or help) and then you will be deemed too expensive and people won't call.
When I do free tech support for someone who I think could have solved it themselves I just make them solve it themselves by asking questions. "What information do you have?" "What have you tried?" "What does the error say?" "What do you think the error means? Is it giving a hint?" "When did you start having the problem?" "What can we eliminate?" "What did a search search suggest?" "What does the documentation say?"
"Did you try rebooting, reconnecting?"