Linux

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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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Choosing a distro for a technophobe's computer (aussie.zone)

submitted 2 days ago by mycatsays@aussie.zone to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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I'm looking for recommendations.

I have run Linux on my own computers off and on for the last 10 years. I'm not an advanced user, but I'm comfortable enough playing around with different distros and settings to find a good fit for myself and my own devices, and problem-solve as needed.

But now with the end of Windows 10 looming, I need to upgrade a family member's computer to Linux. This device is only used by people whose attitude toward computers is "if it doesn't just work, it's too hard and I can't engage". So this needs to be something that both is not going to break on its own (e.g. while doing automatic updates) and also won't be accidentally broken by the users. As well as not being too steep of a learning curve for Windows users. (Their needs are uncomplicated - mostly just LibreOffice and Firefox, both of which they already use.)

Mint is often recommended for inexperienced Windows refugees. But I've had several things break in the process of getting Mint installed and updated on this machine. That wouldn't be an issue if it were my own computer, but it's not filling me with confidence that this is going to meet the ongoing "just works" requirement for this device. There's no way I'm going to be able to handle long-distance tech support if things break more than once in a blue moon.

Which other distros would you recommend for this use case?

Thanks in advance.

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[–] aaravchen@lemmy.zip 2 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

I experienced that only when doing expert things on my system like trying to install new drivers. I've been using 4 different immutable distros for a few years and literally the only "breaking" thing was when UBlue distros moved to Fedora 42, which no longer allowed you to use the ostree admin unlock --hot-fix hack to directly modify your system and made you build your own modified variant using their GitHub template repo.

I'm actually moving my wife to a UBlue distros specifically because I set it up remotely and it just auto updates.

I will warn however that Flatpaks can be a nightmare for basic things like browsers if you want to do things like use a webcam, microphone, or, god forbid, a USB device. Make sure you manually set that up in the (probably flatpak) you're using before handing it over (probably by using Flatseal).

[–] panda_abyss@lemmy.ca 1 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago)

I had difficulty getting 1password set up on fedora atomic.

I think there are still gotchas where you need a relatively experienced person to set up for you.

If you’re setting it up for somebody else, ask them to go through 5 things they mostly do with you so you can make sure they work.