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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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Choosing a distro for a technophobe's computer (aussie.zone)

submitted 4 days ago by mycatsays@aussie.zone to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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I'm looking for recommendations.

I have run Linux on my own computers off and on for the last 10 years. I'm not an advanced user, but I'm comfortable enough playing around with different distros and settings to find a good fit for myself and my own devices, and problem-solve as needed.

But now with the end of Windows 10 looming, I need to upgrade a family member's computer to Linux. This device is only used by people whose attitude toward computers is "if it doesn't just work, it's too hard and I can't engage". So this needs to be something that both is not going to break on its own (e.g. while doing automatic updates) and also won't be accidentally broken by the users. As well as not being too steep of a learning curve for Windows users. (Their needs are uncomplicated - mostly just LibreOffice and Firefox, both of which they already use.)

Mint is often recommended for inexperienced Windows refugees. But I've had several things break in the process of getting Mint installed and updated on this machine. That wouldn't be an issue if it were my own computer, but it's not filling me with confidence that this is going to meet the ongoing "just works" requirement for this device. There's no way I'm going to be able to handle long-distance tech support if things break more than once in a blue moon.

Which other distros would you recommend for this use case?

Thanks in advance.

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[–] mycatsays@aussie.zone 10 points 4 days ago (2 children)

There were some broken package dependencies which I had to fix manually (a non-issue on my own device; a major red flag for this device). And after one set of updates, it needed about three tries to boot successfully (requiring hopping into recovery mode to smooth out the wrinkle - again, a non-issue if it were my own device, but...).

As best I can tell at the moment, it's working fine with Mint installed. My concern is what happens next time something is updated or installed and I'm not there to resolve an issue.

[–] frongt@lemmy.zip 7 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Maybe something immutable, then. Solid updates, easy rollback.

What do you do when Windows crashes and you're not there?

[–] mycatsays@aussie.zone 7 points 4 days ago (2 children)

98% of the time when they've had a problem with Windows, they just needed to restart the computer. (It has been impossible to convince them that computers need a full shutdown periodically, and Windows doesn't cope with 'always on'.)

When it's something more than that, they either have to find someone closer to help or wait until we visit. Doing tech support long-distance for people who can't adequately describe the problem is a losing game.

[–] LeFantome@programming.dev 2 points 2 days ago

I put LMDE on my mother’s machine about 8 months ago. I think it has only been restarted twice and once was a power outage. She uses it daily.

[–] dgriffith@aussie.zone 8 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Whatever you setup, also do a reverse ssh connection back to a PC of yours and forward ports for SSH and VNC-or-similar to local ports on your PC.

That way if it still boots you've got a way to fix it remotely and with reverse ssh they don't have to do anything with port forwarding on their end.

[–] Cyber@feddit.uk 2 points 4 days ago

TBH once Mint's up & running and all those updates / dependencies are sorted.out, I've not had a problem with it.

I'm supporting a couple of people that don't do updates, so it just stays static until I get there... when we arrive (ie for a weekend) I'll do a full backup whilst we're all catching up and then at some point I'll do a full update and make sure it's working again well before we leave.

Agree with the other point on enabling remote access - and also setup something (ie syncthing) to get their data somewhere else.