cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/37358118
this post was submitted on 14 Oct 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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Newbies should just install Ubuntu.
It works and is well supported. Year later go distrohopping.
That’s what I suggest anyway.
Um ackshually Hannah Montana Linux is obviously superior in every way. /s
Mint is better
Truth.
Devuan is best
Objectively not for new users
It depends on the viewpoint:
Is it better a new user is forced to learn how things really work to become a literate operator of the technology he uses or is it better to let him bypass the mechanics with convenient tools at the cost of him never fully grasping how things tick?
Ask a new user, the unsurprising answer is "no".
Honestly i have encountered both situations... especially with older folks (say, 60 - 80 years old) i made the astounding observation that they more often than not want to UNDERSTAND why the computer does this or that.
I'd just recommend Pop!_OS then. NVidia drivers can come preinstalled if you need them (not that it's super hard to install on Ubuntu) and no Snap bullshit - anything you install via apt uses a deb, instead of sneakily installing a snap. Flatpak still remains an option and you CAN install snaps if you want to. COSMIC as it is now, is GNOME reconfigured a bit to be a bit keyboard-friendlier and will soon be replaced by COSMIC the brand new desktop environment. Otherwise it's fairly similar to Ubuntu.
Also, Kubuntu or Mint are Ubuntu with an UI that is more familiar to someone coming from Windows. They work more or less the same.
My partner tried popos and it was awful. Iirc, it didn't even seem to support her multiple monitors? I can't remember for sure, but we had some issues and bailed pretty quickly. She and I both are now rocking Kubuntu, which, as you mentioned, was a much easier transition from Windows for her (and me), though I'd have her try bazzite today if Kubuntu wasn't already set up.
That is an oddity. Wish she'd filed a bug report. Unfortunately there will always be edge cases, but I'm glad to hear Kubuntu is working out. I disagree with Canonical on a lot of things, but I'd still rather see people using (K)Ubuntu than Windows.
What's best for a noob who wants to use pacman/yay/aur?
ArchInstaller. Or Endeavour.
Yeah, when I tried basic Ubuntu about a year ago, it must not have liked something about my two monitors or Nvidia GPU.
The whole desktop was shitting itself, and at one point I could see my mouse on one monitor but the clicks were taking place on the other monitor. It's a nightmare to debug things when you can't accurately click any windows or buttons.
Endeavor and Pop both worked out of the box.
Aside from all controversy around snaps and stuff, which newbies don't have to get into, there's GNOME coming as default.
Desktop environments essentially define how the new user treats the system and Linux as a whole. And I believe GNOME is a terrible starting point, at least for those coming from Windows.
It follows entirely different logic, is very different visually, and overall, adds a lot of extra confusion.
IMO, for a smooth transition, you'd rather offer something based on KDE or at least Cinnamon. Kubuntu will do fine, but it has to be mentioned specifically. Mint will be nice. And then as they explore, they'll find what fits them best.
I direct Mac users to Ubuntu/GNOME and Windows users to KDE or Mint/Cinnamon.
That said I absolutely hate how stock GNOME doesn't have an app drawer. People defend it, but I can't get over not knowing what apps are open and the extra clicks it takes if you're mouse navigating, as well as all the extra animations if you do go that route. And this is from someone that attempts to touch the mouse as little as possible. Not a fan of having to add a 3rd party extension for this. Reason I'm on KDE full-time now.
Fedora is the kitchen sink.
Debian is simpler