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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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I started with ubuntu-based distros (Zorin and Bodhi in particular) and I think one of the greatest challenges I faced as a new user was understanding the various different ways of installing programs: apt and apt-get, ppas, gdebi package installer, compiling from source… and more later came snaps, flatpaks and appimages. This dispersive situation makes the entry bar too high for some users. On Arch based distros instead you have the AUR which includes almost any software available on linux and with graphical installers like Pamac new users are eased in this wild world. So in the end I’d say Manjaro would be my top recomendation, it’s nice community and huge noob-friendly documentation are a plus. Probably with XFCE, because it’s intuitive and easily customizable.
I second this. It is really difficult to get along with the different package sources.
I can recommend EndeavourOS which is basically ARCH with an UI installer. As a desktop environment I can recommend KDE because you can customize a lot.
If you just want to use it, Ubuntu. If you want to learn, Debian.
I would say ZorinOS
Zorin looks very interesting in YouTube vidoes. I wonder why only a few people mention it.
For Windows users, definitely Linux Mint, because Cinnamon. For MacOS users, Deepin or CutefishOS.
IMO KDE Plasma is more Windows-like than Cinnamon.
No. Definitely not. Did you even try both out? I did. KDE is confusing and is not like Windows at all. But Cinnamon just works like Windows. Icons, File manager pop-up, almost everything the same! It’s the best for a Windows user.
I think Pop!_OS is really great for new users.
Fedora, Flatpaks are so easy to use!
You can use Flatpaks on other distros, for example on Debian. And also snap, etc.
Yep, I used Arch for a couple years, but Fedora having them by default and making them easily findable via GNOME Software is why I use and recommend it
But Fedora comes with Flatpak pre-installed.
Fedora, Flatpaks are so easy to use!
Zorin if you come from Windows, elementary if you come from Macintosh.
My only problem with Elementary is that the software store has so few apps.
IMO it has quite a few native applications which is pretty rare for a distribution of its size, then you have everything flatpak has to offer and you could install any .deb, which is enough for me. Sure, you don’t get as many stuff as the AUR has but Arch is for pros anyway.
And you can easily install apps from the Ubuntu repo, since it’s based on it.
The Store is just a list of curated apps, at least it’s not locked to it.
What is your new user gonna do with it?
If they just want it to work and be secure, but not feel the cogs, you might be interested in looking into Chromium OS or Fedora Silverblue.
If they are a tech, you might wanna go with a flavor of Ubuntu.
If they are willing to become proficient and experienced with GNU/Linux as a distro as a tech, maybe something like Arch ou Debian?
I guess they are going to use Facebook, Google Meet, LINE, a word processor, and a spreadsheet.
In that case, I would recommend Fedora Silverblue :)
Fedora 😍 it is really stable and everything is working out of the box. No need to start hacking in terminal after installation.
How about the media codecs?
You can choose to install them in the setup.
Kubuntu. KDE Plasma is as Windows like as Mint’s Cinnamon but looks more modern and fresh, imo. And Kubuntu is Ubuntu so you get all the support from the large Ubuntu community.
I wish there was a Mint KDE distro.
ubuntu, better support, best forum for newbies, easy to use, good repos
But currently is very intrusive and not really privacy-respectful, I think it can break itself sometimes. But their support is really good. Its distro-daughters should be the real answer.
+1 really can’t go wrong with Ubuntu
Linux Mint, I would say.