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[-] lvxferre@mander.xyz 89 points 4 days ago

Download a new OS // Download the operating system you want to install. Search for Linux distributions for beginners to get some suggestions.

I feel like it's better to actually list/suggest a few beginner distros than to tell people to look it up.

[-] ICastFist@programming.dev 25 points 4 days ago

Linux Mint (XFCE desktop) is the best for beginners coming from Windows, in my opinion. Linux enthusiasts will fawn over KDE because of customization, but they ignore that the vast majority of people don't want to spend months tweaking pixels, widgets and animations, they just want to use the computer.

[-] lvxferre@mander.xyz 25 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

My point is that the site should be recommending a few newbie distros, instead of telling the newbie to search it. Specially because the choice of a distribution isn't that meaningful in the long run, but newbies struggle picking one.

That said I agree Mint would be a good choice. Not sure on Xfce; I'd probably recommend Cinnamon instead, as it looks a bit more modern (even if myself would rather use MATE or Xfce than Cinnamon).

[-] Velypso@sh.itjust.works 21 points 4 days ago

Windows user: I'm thinking about switching to Linux, mind helping me out Linux User?

Linux user: ok, so what you want to do is just figure it out yourself.

Windows user: finds debian and fucks everything up wow Linux is terrible, I'll stick to using Windows 11.

[-] lvxferre@mander.xyz 11 points 4 days ago

Speaking on that: a lot of people act as if promoting Linux means simply "to get others to install it". And they ignore that the newbie will need help the first days, weeks, even months. Then the newbie gets burned out and switches back to Windows.

That probably explains why some people manage to retain even tech illiterate people using Linux, while others struggle to convince even tech literate ones to switch.

[-] JennyLaFae 1 points 3 days ago
[-] HayadSont@discuss.online 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

While your endorsement is definitely well-intentioned, I'm unsure if it correctly reflects the project's health^[Unsure if I'd be able to word my criticisms better than this.]. I'd argue we've got (a lot) better resources on the fediverse. Like, e.g. this excellent guide: Understanding Linux and choosing your first Linux distro, v2.0

[-] JennyLaFae 1 points 2 days ago

That's excellent, I found the distrochooser recently while coming back to linux and was happy when it recommended the same distro I used years back

[-] endeavor@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 days ago

I have gnome and KDE fedoras on my two pcs. Gnome is a lot more work to tweak it and add some basic functionality(lmao at enabling right click to create new file). KDE is just fine out of the box. Nobody is forced to tweak KDE, you can if you want to.

KDE also has fun stuff like kde connect that lets you connect your phone to your pc and receive and answer to texts and other notifications, send clipboards and files. Something that is a ridiculous upgrade in QOL and its insane windows does not have it. Gnome also gets it but you need to install extension manager and search for it.

[-] brb@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 days ago

Mint looks pretty dated tho. I would go with Kubuntu because it looks pretty similar to Windows and is sleek and modern even without any customizations

[-] ProvableGecko@lemmy.world 3 points 4 days ago

Why do you suggest Mint over Ubuntu?

[-] ICastFist@programming.dev 12 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Mint in any of its default offerings feels significantly more familiar to a Windows environment than default Ubuntu, Lubuntu (LXDE desktop) or Xubuntu (XFCE desktop), making the migration "less painful";
The ISO image is ~1GB smaller \

[-] accideath@lemmy.world 9 points 4 days ago

Ubuntu is developed and controlled by a corporation (canonical) and they have some non ideal practices (like pushing snaps heavily instead of the more open flatpaks or native apps). Mint takes what’s good in Ubuntu and cleans it up a lot.

[-] DannyMac@lemm.ee 7 points 4 days ago

Snaps probably 😆

[-] Revan343@lemmy.ca 6 points 4 days ago

Because fuck snaps

[-] Broken@lemmy.ml 2 points 4 days ago

As a newer Linux user I think the priority in communication should be use Mint and then have some general information about how Linux isn't Windows, with some key differences and how to do things. I know that's more complicated than just saying it, but a "simple" get started guide would ease transition a lot.

[-] gandalf_der_12te@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I think it doesn't actually matter what distro you use.

It's like whether you're wearing red socks or blue socks. As long as you're wearing socks, so you don't get cold.

[-] lvxferre@mander.xyz 2 points 2 days ago

Myself mentioned a bit below that the choice of a distribution isn’t that meaningful in the long run. But I still think that some distros should be recommended - otherwise the newbie simply says "Hannah Montana Linux, Justin Bieber Linux, Ubuntu Satanic Edition... bleeergh I can't choose, I give up".

damn Ubuntu Satanic Edition sounds cool.

[-] lvxferre@mander.xyz 2 points 2 days ago

A shame the project was discontinued, the visuals were fucking cool. (Yup, it was a real distro.)

[-] endeavor@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 days ago

I went fedora which is not a beginner system and even fedora is easier than windows.

Common suggestions are: mint, pop os, endeavourOS. But it doesn't matter, they are all functional OS that let you do everything.

[-] Zoop@beehaw.org 6 points 4 days ago

Yeah, I agree. Especially since there's SO much information out there that'll come up if they try to search, and lots of it isn't good, and tons of it is conflicting with each other. It's best to make it as easy and simple as possible. Like just suggest Mint or something.

this post was submitted on 12 May 2025
508 points (100.0% liked)

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