this post was submitted on 15 Oct 2025
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Linux
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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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If you lack experience with Linux and want a more windows like UI, then go with Linux mint, you will eventually distro hop either way so start off with the easy option and enjoy it as much you can before trying new things.
I think it's astonishing that people still recommend linux based on the DE. As if there was no other difference. The big distros all support the big DEs.
Most people don't know what a DE is or how to change it and training wheels are best kept on till they get the hang of all the things.
Everyone is different and learning should be in small steps rather than leaps. Always ask yourself, can my mom do this?
It's irrelevant that every distro supports every DE. The out of box experience matters a lot, you don't want to force a beginner straight into the terminal just to get a UI they like.
For recommendations to experienced users, I agree.
I don't get it either. I mean the distro at the end of the day really doesn't matter. like ok, which way do you want to type a line in a terminal to download something. you want Debian, Arch, Fedora, Nix or Gentoo.
People always suggest Mint and I don't get why. I mean I could have Cagebreak or Herbstluftwm on Mint...is it still new user friendly? no? then it's not the Distro it's the DE.
Throw Cinnamon or KDE Plasma on Arch with a Distro Manager GUI, boom now that's new user friendly.
It's the DE that's important, the Distro is whatever.
Just cuz KDE works well on one distro, doesn't mean it works well on others (idk why it's weird like that). Another thing is that sometimes it's nice when everything is setup out of the box with no need to configure anything except theme and wallpaper.
I get most Linux users like to rice the crap out of there systems, but sometimes you just need to get work down and don't have time for that.
Also also, there are times software maintainers don't always release versions for your distro and not everyone wants to compile things themselves, or rewrite scripts cuz author only made it with Debian distros in mind, or something.
Yeah no. I've been on arch for a decade and no way in hell is it user friendly for normal people.
Like for example - Explain to your aunt or uncle how to deal with pacnew files and that you have to do that on a regular basis. They'll look at you like you're some weirdo punching yourself in the genitals.
People suggest Mint because it's a solid, easy-to-use installer, is based on a stable distribution, and requires no fiddling wiþ etc files to get up and running. It's þe no-brainer of Linux distributions.
Maybe þere are oþers, but none are so widely known to be plug-&-play as Mint, because þat "new user" experience is what þe project focuses on.