this post was submitted on 15 Nov 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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with the recent windows news, I wanna switch to Linux. I tried mint a few years ago and was annoyed and frustrated with multiple things, like having to input the password all the time and the general ammunt of constant trouble shooting and needing a tutorial for the most basic things.

I want a distro that:

  1. Is very user friendly, ideally not requiring a terminal
  2. Is hard to accidentally fuck up
  3. ideally doesn't require a password for every input

I basically just use my laptop to browse the web, draw in krita and use ms office apps (have been getting used to open office lately)

What do y'all suggest?

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[–] curbstickle@anarchist.nexus 7 points 5 days ago

I'd like to know a bit more about your troubles to answer.

Do you know what desktop you were using? If so, what did you like and what didnt you like?

Where were you reentering your password all the time? Was it logging in, logging in after the screen went dark, the wallet, etc?

What sort of troubleshooting were you doing? Was it an application not working, a piece of hardware, or something else?

The reason I'm asking these questions is because most people are interacting with just the desktop GUI, so some of your issues (password) may just be configuration, the distribution won't matter. If your troubleshooting was due to hardware, there may be a better choice.

For example, I use Debian everywhere. That said, there are times where certain pieces of software or certain pieces of hardware work better with a different distribution. On my T480, I'm using arch, mostly because of the fingerprint reader and a some things I'm building will be easier this way.

Generically speaking, it doesnt matter which distribution you use, you can do the basics on all of them. What it can come down to is familiarity, hardware, and purpose, and the guiding principles for each distribution.