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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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Obligatory Distro Choice Question (lemmy.zip)

submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by NorthWestWind@lemmy.zip to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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EDIT: Ended up going for Kubuntu anyway. Installed it with separate / and /home so in case they want to explore more there's the option.

I daily drove Linux for about 6 years and finally managed to convince some of my family members to try it!

However, I realized I don't have a lot of ideas about beginner distros. I have some requirements that led me to some decisions, but there doesn't seem to be a fit-all option:

Minimal maintenance -> Debian-based (stable release)
High compatibility -> Debian-based (.deb seems more convenient than say, AUR)
Familiarity -> KDE Plasma (looks like Windows, very customizable)

It's for a Thinkpad X1. The main purpose is going to be academics.

All of that points to Kubuntu, but I worry about the Canonical Snap store stuff.

Everyone recommends Linux Mint for starters, but it doesn't come with a KDE Plasma flavour. I know I can install it myself, but the integration is gonna be bad and they're gonna bug me a lot.

I use Endeavour OS personally, so I'm somewhat familiar with Arch-based system. I guess .debs can be installed with debtap, but that feels like a whole another hacky solution. I have done university courses with my Endeavour OS laptop and I know quite a bit of software comes in .deb but not AUR.

What should I pick for them? And should I get more input from them? If so, what should I ask about?

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[–] FunnySalt@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 4 days ago

LFS + twm FTW.

You seem to have a good sense of what disros are out there. I think any beginner friendly distro with wherever user friendly DE it comes with will probably be fine.

I'd say maybe stick with a deb or rpm one which most are anyway, for the compatibility point you already made. If you/they need something that's otherwise not available in your distro's repos, there's probably already packages or third party repos available.

But the ask is a recommendation. I find myself generally recommending Fedora, despite not having used it myself for years. It's easy to install, you can choose your DE, it's stable, has a good release cadence, and is easy to upgrade and maintain.