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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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Obligatory Distro Choice Question (lemmy.zip)

submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by NorthWestWind@lemmy.zip to c/linux@lemmy.ml

29 comments fedilink hide all child comments

EDIT: Ended up going for Kubuntu anyway. Installed it with separate / and /home so in case they want to explore more there's the option.

I daily drove Linux for about 6 years and finally managed to convince some of my family members to try it!

However, I realized I don't have a lot of ideas about beginner distros. I have some requirements that led me to some decisions, but there doesn't seem to be a fit-all option:

Minimal maintenance -> Debian-based (stable release)
High compatibility -> Debian-based (.deb seems more convenient than say, AUR)
Familiarity -> KDE Plasma (looks like Windows, very customizable)

It's for a Thinkpad X1. The main purpose is going to be academics.

All of that points to Kubuntu, but I worry about the Canonical Snap store stuff.

Everyone recommends Linux Mint for starters, but it doesn't come with a KDE Plasma flavour. I know I can install it myself, but the integration is gonna be bad and they're gonna bug me a lot.

I use Endeavour OS personally, so I'm somewhat familiar with Arch-based system. I guess .debs can be installed with debtap, but that feels like a whole another hacky solution. I have done university courses with my Endeavour OS laptop and I know quite a bit of software comes in .deb but not AUR.

What should I pick for them? And should I get more input from them? If so, what should I ask about?

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[–] Paradoxeuh@jlai.lu 4 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I've been there. My mom is not able to do anything. All distros I tried broke at some point. A sound issue or a WiFi issue, easily solvable with one command line but totally impossible for my mom to even do it when I explained. I ended up installing an immutable distro, Bazzite. It has been 2 years, 0 issue. It's the longest ever. So my recommendation for noobs is to go immutable. They don't need to tweek the system anyway.

[–] Die4Ever@retrolemmy.com 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I've heard Bazzite has issues with updates sometimes though. I feel like their release cycle is too fast and they aren't able to keep up with testing at that pace.

[–] Paradoxeuh@jlai.lu 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I never had any issue. I think problems are mostly if you use it on handled devices like a steam deck. Then yes, I heard it was unstable. But on a computer for simple usage ? It's perfect. But my point was more about immutable than Bazzite. There might be better flavours.

[–] Die4Ever@retrolemmy.com 2 points 3 days ago

maybe one day there will be an immutable Kubuntu