Finally making the transition from Windows to a Linux. I’m pretty sure it’s been asked several times but which Linux OS would you recommend a beginner to use? I’ve seen Ubuntu and Mint as a good start. Not looking to do much. Game here and there (not too worried about Linux compatibility), streaming, editing videos. If I break any rules. I’m sorry.
Mint 100% to start with, install Nvidia drivers if you have an Nvidia graphics card. Install and run a game though Steam or whatever and if all the hardware works and you can get the refresh rate you want you’re good to go.
If not, install Fedora KDE and do the same.
If you still have issues on Fedora make another post here with some hardware details and say what you tried.
Just a question: why fedora KDE? I’ve used fedora for a few years but always with gnome. Really liked it. What would be the advantage with KDE? Or what actually is the difference ?
The defaults are more similar to Windows, Gnome is really good too, more aesthetically pleasing also IMO.
Thanks! Yeah I prefer the gnome one. I think it’s heavier resource-wise but for people expecting an OS to look “like an OS” (people who prefer not to use a terminal) it’s great. I think I’ve used KDE Like 10 years ago but I am not sure if it was KDE.
the difference is really just having kde desktop, which some prefer over gnome
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mint
Fedora.
Start with Mint. You can always try something else when you’re more comfortable with Linux.
I have been using Mint for a long while now, and I’ve been very happy with it. Can’t say I’ve felt the need to try anything else…
Mint is also one of the biggest distros which is a factor in getting help. Any problem you may have, chances are, somebody already posted the solution.
I should really give mint a try. I like Ubuntu for both of these reasons, even if it does have snaps.
I agree, for a new user everything including installing nvidia drivers is in a GUI. And if you run into issue due to the size of both Mint and its base Ubuntu, searching for the problems usually results in a solution.
Go with Mint until you learn more about how Linux filesystems work and then you can go wherever you feel comfortable. Mint just has a really easy install.
What is there to learn about Linux filesystems? How is it different from a Windows filesystem, from the perspective of an average user?
Lesson one: files Lesson two: folders Here’s your diploma.
You will probably come across having to fiddle with rights, which isn’t really a thing on Windows
I use Arch BTW. Haven’t had to fiddle with rights in the last 10 years.
I’ve had to do it a bit on Mint. I have a couple of programs that only come as AppImages and need to be redownloaded everytime there is an uppdate, which means I have to set the rights again. It’s also been a thing when setting up qbittorrent and jellyfin.
Linux filesystems exam time:
section A basics
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what does CoW stand for?
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evaluate through pros and cons which you personally would pick: Btrfs, ZFS, F2FS, bcachefs, OverlayFS, aufs, Nilfs2, JFFS2, UBIFS
section B btefs
- what exactly happens when running this command, including how qgroups, compression, and recursion interact?
btrfs balance start -dusage=5 -musage=20 -c zstd \ --bg /srv/vms && \ btrfs qgroup limit 50G /srv/vms/guests/win10- explain the effect of the following command on device allocation, RAID reshaping, and metadsta distribution:
btrfs device add -f /dev/nvme2n1 /home && \ btrfs balance start -mconvert=raid1 -dconvert=raid1 -sconvert=dup /home- describe what this snapshotting pipeline does, including send stream structure, parent selection, and how receive-side overwrites are handled:
btrfs subvolume snapshot -r /opt/app /opt/.snaps/auto-$(date +%s) && \ btrfs send -c -p /opt/.snaps/last-full \ /opt/.snaps/auto-$(date +%s) \ | ssh backup 'btrfs receive -f /backup/opt/incoming'- what actions occur on the filesystem when this defrag call is executed, especially regarding extent sharing and how compression interacts?
btrfs filesystem defrag -r -v -czstd:15 \ /var/lib/docker/overlay2- analyze subvolume management sequence, including how default-subvolume selection influences mount behavior:
btrfs subvolume delete /mnt/root/@old && \ btrfs subvolume snapshot -r /mnt/root/@clean /mnt/root/@ && \ btrfs subvolume set-default 256 /mnt/root
section C zfs
[…]
/s
Answer for all questions: the average user doesn’t care, won’t run any of those, won’t know what fs is on their system because they will choose the default what the installer suggests. Same as they have no idea about all the ntfs or exfat details of their windows system.
That’s for sysadmins.
These days I don’t even care what fs I use, I just let the distro choose its default, I simply make sure encryption is enabled.
It’s really touching that you consider me to be a sysadmin, because I use Linux and know how my fs works. I’m actually kinda proud of myself. My arch install has been working for many years.
Are you saying that you use arch btw?
I use arch btw. Do you also use arch btw?
I used to use arch btw, but then I grew old and moved to Fedora. Then I saw the light and installed Bazzite on everything, even my coffe machine. It’s got RGB now.
You should install Bazzite, save your soul.
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Mount points instead of drives
“What’s a mount point? I just click on the disk icon on my desktop, it shows up when I plug in the USB thingy.”
- Average user
CachyOS?
+1 for cachy
I am a cachy user, and this is the worst possible advice. Arch based distros are not for brand new Linux users.
You’re wrong. Proof by counter example: SteamOS
Uh yeah that’s a bad example as most users will just use SteamOSes Big Picture?
“Your example proved me wrong so it is a bad example!” LOL
steamos users on the deck will rarely if ever interact with what arch linux makes arch linux, so yeah it is a bad example.
If someone has the competency to format a bootable USB Drive, potentially go into BIOS and change boot order and turn off SecureBoot, there is a basic level of computer literacy that exists. Pair that with KDE which is basically just the windows interface, Octopi and Cachy Update, where do don’t even need to run any console commands and just input your password. The ideas that Arch is scary and too complex are dated at this point with how some of these modern distros are packaged.
I guess I just don’t expect most beginners to want to read the breaking changes. Like when firmware packages recently changed, pacman paru yay and octopi don’t tell you about those breaking changes. You just get an error when you try to update. If you read the notes, you know to uninstall the old package, install the new ones, problem solved. What about using meld to merge pacnew? I don’t expect someone in their first week of Linux to figure it out. Even if they can learn it, I don’t expect a lot of users to want to.
Maybe I need to have more faith in people? I stuck to Ubuntu derived distros for about a year before I took on Fedora, and then eventually EndeavourOS where I learned the ins and outs of managing an Arch based system. I learned a lot, and I learned it gradually, which worked well for me, so I don’t try to throw other new users in the deep end of the pool.
The ideas that Arch is scary and too complex are dated at this point with how some of these modern distros are packaged.
I get where you’re hinting at and its difficulty is definitely overblown in the sense that some newbies may actually thrive on Arch. Thus, if anything, I’d propose that (very) eager-to-learn newbies should perhaps even consider Arch.
However, as long as this convoluted mess continues to be the expected ‘workflow’ for updates[1], Arch can not be considered beginner-friendly.
By contrast, a distro like Bazzite just defaults to care-free[2] auto-updates in the background; a pattern every noob recognizes from their phones.
Let’s not ignore that Arch expects you to update regularly. ↩︎
To be fair, if you’ve layered anything, then that might have compromised the integrity of upgrades. That being said, it’s a minor concern that mostly seems to be affect major system updates only. So that would mean you’d have to pay a bit more attention once every 6 months or so. Which, at least IMO, is very sane. And -again- only applies if you’ve actually layered stuff. It’s smooth sailing otherwise ↩︎
Cachy user here. Nope.
Anyone who says Cachy is good for a newcomer is taking their knowledge for granted. Most people getting into Linux for the first time are climbing several learning curves all at once. There are simpler distros that allow you to learn at a more reasonable pace.
The only time I would recommend CachyOS to a newcomer is if they have bleeding-edge hardware and aren’t afraid of a challenge.
Mint is popular for beginners. I went with Debian KDE because I wanted something a little more minimalistic and boring. Fedora and OpenSUSE are also good options.
If you want to stick with a Windows-like desktop, pick a KDE distro over GNOME.
If you want to stick with a Windows-like desktop, pick a KDE distro over GNOME.
I like KDE Plasma, too. Thankfully, most desktop distros have it in their repositories, so even if they use GNOME or some other desktop by default, you can install and switch to KDE after the initial OS install. I’m pretty sure this includes Linux Mint.
Switching desktop environments can be tricky, it’s better to do a clean install - especially for dotfiles which can cause bugs, and get the distro spin that you want from the get-go.
I’ve never had logging in with a different desktop environment cause problems. (And I wouldn’t expect to. The desktop session selector on the login screen is there for a reason, after all.) Your comment makes me wonder what desktops you tried that stepped on each other, and what bugs you’re referring to.
In any case, if I had an experience like what you describe, I would simply re-create my user account and its home directory. Going through a whole OS install as you suggest would burn a lot more time with no advantage, which doesn’t seem “better” to me. To each their own, I guess.
Remember as well that your “distro spin” approach is only possible if such a spin exists. Example: If someone wants Linux Mint for its beginner-friendly community support, but also wants to try KDE Plasma, they can. But they’re going to have to install Plasma after the base OS, and switch.
https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=297558. this is just the first thing that came up, i’m sure there are hundreds of similar bugs. bottom line is when you install two things next to each other that aren’t being actively tested together, you’re bound to run into issues.
My recommendation is that if there are no spin with your favorite DE, you simply do not use that distribution as it’s not being tested against.
Sorry you had bad luck there.
My recommendation is that if there are no spin with your favorite DE, you simply do not use that distribution
I guess that’s one way to be sure, but to me it seems excessively limiting. I have switched desktops on Debian-based distros, and the only tidying up I remember being needed was removal of the old desktop’s packages (to de-clutter my application menus) and a reboot (to launch the new display manager).
My recommendation to a new user would be to try whatever distro/desktop combo is appealing, and if it doesn’t work out, either do some troubleshooting or just move on to another one. It might not be a path as well tread as the distro’s default, but it might work fine. You’ll never know if you don’t try.
as it’s not being tested against.
That’s untrue in at least some cases. Of course, different distros have different policies and people maintaining their desktop packages, so YMMV.
@imecth @TheMilk @salacious_coaster @who This #linux bot which boosts everything linux is its own worst enemy, isn’t it?
I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Generally you should be considering which desktop environment(DE) you want to use as well, cause it’s the main thing you’ll be looking at.
Mint is a good beginner, no fuss distro that runs the Cinnamon DE by default. It’s also based on Ubuntu, built on top of the normal version of Ubuntu.
Ubuntu has several different options for DEs distributed as ‘flavors’ - Ubuntu itself comes with GNOME, but there’s also Kubuntu which has KDE, and multiple other options available.
If you’ve got the time and a free USB drive, I’d recommend making bootable media for a few options to try them out - both Mint and Ubuntu(as well as many other different distros) have live environments to play around in when you go to install them, and it’s worth trying out a few different DEs to see which one you like.
Mint but only bevase thays what i did 2 did two years aho and had no issues.
I habe since changed to LMDE bevase why use Mint which is based on Ubuntu whic nis based on Debian, just cut oit the middle.man…plenty of supoort in their forums as well for the few issues I had.
PopOs and Zorin I’ve also seen mentioned
LMDE does seem to have keyboard issues though it seems.
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I use KDE neon, I’d never recommend it to my friends though because quirks pop up every now and then and disappear after a couple of weeks.
I’d tell them to use Kubuntu which is just much more stable and is the same thing without quirks.
I considering moving to Hyperland on Arch which I’d recommend even less.
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I shifted from Neon to Kubuntu on my work machine. Figured that Neon was a good shout because it’s the official KDE distro, only to later discover that KDE now consider it to be end of life, and are working on a reacent.
Kubuntu is basically the same (from my perspective), but has continuing support.
Neon is still alive and well but there’s going to be another reference implementation of KDE coming soon so I’m getting worried.
So I use zorin and I feel its the best for typical windows users and anyone who just wants to install and get to immediately using thier pc. So basically its the lazy distro. Lot of software out of box including wine with play on linux so right after installation you could run or install windows programs if you wanted to (I would check out linux alternatives first). That being said my personal opinion if someone wants to run games is to dual boot a gaming distro or install a gaming distro and use it as your main one. Further I don’t recommend dual booting windows. If someone wants to keep windows around my sugestion, if they have it, is to install linux on your last older laptop. Anyone who had a machine that did not outright die and upgraded in the last ten years will be pleasantly surprised how well linux runs on older hardware compared to windows on newer. Once you have weaned yourself 100% off windows and realize how useless it is then install on the current laptop. Given if you don’t still have your older one then by all mean dual boot. I initially did that but have reversed the setup and now have linux on my better laptop as I was so annoyed with windows wasting the good one.
It’s hilarious that there were a bunch of articles recently about “omg, so many Zorin downloads!” Then the only person I’ve ever seen even mention it gets downvoted. Makes me think it was just some astro turf campaign.
oh it certainly was some sort of astroturf. Previous to that my comments I felt like I was the only one who would mention it. Seems like the thing with zorin 8 being spammed has had a sorta streisand effect but I still like it. Also someone keeps commenting all the versions cost money so there is a kind of reverse astro turf going as well. Its kinda funny given its an irish company and with the popularity of european things. Its just the way things are.
Idk why nobody knew about it until recently, ime (and I’ve never used Zorin), I feel like even before the recent (likely paid advertising) campaign I still saw it almost once or twice per thread, usually something like “I’d go mint, unless you need cutting edge then Fedora, or if you really need it to look like windows then there is Zorin,” some saying “I haven’t used it but I hear it’s windows like” and stuff. I’ve seen stuff like that consistently for the last 4 or 5 years since I switched and I was the one asking distro advice and being told mint, fedora, zorin, or pop. It has never been the top answer but it was always there, lurking in the shadows.
yeah I likely did not read through and thought I was the only one back then.
Pick any of the more popular ones at random; it really doesn’t matter that much.
Bazzite for a first try. If you never hit a wall needing to make system tweaks, stick to it in the long term. Otherwise, I’m really liking Fedora. KDE/Gnome is personal choice.
It’s been asked a million times, and it’ll be answered every time, and the answers will mostly be “Mint, Fedora, FedoraKDE, and if you wanna game Bazzite.”
The real advice that gets posted less, regardless of distro:
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Back up your important files to an external drive, often. It’s entirely possible you’ll fuck up an install beyond repair (or beyond what you know how to do at the time) and you end up reinstalling. If you can just put your important files back and be up and running, nothing of value is lost.
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Don’t be scared of the terminal, it’s incredibly useful. Look up a few YT vids like “bash basics” or “linux terminal for beginners” or something and follow along like it’s a class, you’ll soon be comfortable enough to use it when you need it, and you will, and you may come to love it. It’s not as bad as windows cmd! Be careful when using sudo or su, that’s when you could really screw up the system (but mostly it’ll be fine just be careful.
And most importantly, have fun!
Here’s an absolute classic unix koan about the terminal:
One evening, Master Foo and Nubi attended a gathering of programmers who had met to learn from each other. One of the programmers asked Nubi to what school he and his master belonged. Upon being told they were followers of the Great Way of Unix, the programmer grew scornful.
“The command-line tools of Unix are crude and backward,” he scoffed. “Modern, properly designed operating systems do everything through a graphical user interface.”
Master Foo said nothing, but pointed at the moon. A nearby dog began to bark at the master’s hand.
“I don’t understand you!” said the programmer.
Master Foo remained silent, and pointed at an image of the Buddha. Then he pointed at a window.
“What are you trying to tell me?” asked the programmer.
Master Foo pointed at the programmer’s head. Then he pointed at a rock.
“Why can’t you make yourself clear?” demanded the programmer.
Master Foo frowned thoughtfully, tapped the programmer twice on the nose, and dropped him in a nearby trashcan.
As the programmer was attempting to extricate himself from the garbage, the dog wandered over and piddled on him.
At that moment, the programmer achieved enlightenment
Source: https://catb.org/~esr/writings/unix-koans/gui-programmer.html
I need Peter Griffin to explain this one
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