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

submitted 7 months 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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[–] koala@programming.dev 1 points 7 months ago

But now with the end of Windows 10 looming, I need to upgrade a family member’s computer to Linux.

Why?

Did they ask for Linux? Do you have authority over them?

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. ... 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.

Issues appear. I would be more focused on setting up remote access than choosing a distro.

I'd choose something LTS that has been around for a while (Debian, Ubuntu, RHEL-derivatives, SuSE if there's a freely-available LTS, etc.).

If you are not against the use of Google products, ChromeOS devices are about the best well-designed low maintenance operating systems. (Not Flex, a ChromeOS device.) But you would be sacrificing Firefox and LibreOffice, which might not be an option. (And technically, it's running a Linux kernel, if I remember correctly.)

[–] Widdershins@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

Biebian

[–] eugenia@lemmy.ml 1 points 7 months ago

I've never had Mint having dependencies issues, particularly when updating it. I don't know what you were doing, but I have put Mint in 20 laptops in the last 2 years (both on mine, and other people's), and no one, no one had a single issue like that. So I'd still suggest Mint.

[–] solrize@lemmy.ml 0 points 7 months ago

Debian with the MATE window manager (looks like older Windows) worked pretty well for my mom after I set it up for her. I don't think she ever figured out that it wasn't Windows.

[–] over_clox@lemmy.world 0 points 7 months ago

You didn't even declare the hardware specs..

Regardless, Mint...

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