The first step I think is Linux Mint, after that Fedora KDE. Linux Mint as a starter I find it to be closest kind of experience to Win even if I use and adore Fedora KDE.
That being said I feel that for a newcomer the initial consideration should be the desktop environment, in the end there are so many amazing distributions out there but the first contact is the way the distribution looks like and how close it comes to windows in that regard.
Debian variants, Fedora, or Mint, Debian having install files make it easier for non-tech users who want to get things outside the store, Fedora is very secure/stable, Mint is just very easy to use in general for Windows users especially.
not gonna recommend yet, but just yesterday I switched to Ubuntu and deleted windows for good. So far it's really good, but there's a mix-up between snaps, apts and flatpaks
ZorinOS, It's what got me back into Linux after a couple of years. Now running Arch, but Zorin is great for beginners, or Fedora since I've always had amazing luck with Fedora.
fedora atomic. KDE for those coming from windows. I think SteamOS is a great example of how an immutable system can give stability where users just want a system to work.
But if you mean the other kind of beginner, who wants to use Linux, not fully understand it: #Fedora.
Fedora has such a lovely, helpful community, which is also always thankful for bug reports and contributions. It is not only easy to use but a showcase for an inclusive Open Source community.
And for those, who boot their PC only for their yearly tax return: Linux Mint. Looks ugly and is borning. But sometimes that's what people need.
I've got a few distros for beginners I recommend: - Tuxedo OS - Bazzite, Aurora, and Bluefin - Pop!_OS (but not until 24.04 or whatever the first version with COSMIC is called is released) - Linux Mint (but only the Cinnamon version and only for some users because of some issues with Cinnamon and the software store)
I don't recommend for beginners: - Ubuntu or any of their official flavors - Zorin OS - Manjaro - Anything Arch based - Any distro without a graphical package manager
I started my Linux journey around 15y ago with Ubuntu and it would still be my advice to newcomers. It has a huge community, dozens of tutorials and questions answered for any issue you could possibly imagine. I have used Fedora for a while and felt the difference regarding community support. So I'd recommend vanilla Ubuntu Gnome for a start.
openSUSE only because of Yast2 system configurator that is perfect for beginners. I know Ubuntu system tools . It is a mix with Gnome setting tools . And editing files without checks instead of grafic tools still required. Mixes are not optimal for beginners who need unique surfaces and full covered settings. I'm not a beginner. But Yast2 is for both beginners and experts the best.
I have been a Windows user for many years but am a recent #Linux newcomer. Now retired I have been investigating various distros that a) I can understand and use without too much of a learning curve and b) will run on my ancient laptop reasonably speedily.
I have tried a number of lightweight distros to try to improve performance but they just leave me confused. #Mint does what I want and it's easy to navigate.
Just tried #Zorin and decided against as it's a bit of a resource hog. My old laptop was struggling. I also found the interface a bit basic. Good to explore other distros though.
For a newbie, it already includes your drives, firmware, media codecs, and repositories. No matter if you are using Nvidia, Amd, or Intel, your GPU works upon install - In that regard it is easier than Windows.
You can install, remove, or update apps through the store. You can also upgrade your whole OS through the store - It is integrated like Windows Update, and notifies you when it has updates. You can download a 3rd party setup file (Rpm) and double-click to install, just like you would a Windows setup file. Control Panel (settings) are all point and click too.
Django
in reply to It's FOSS • • •GolfNovemberUniform
in reply to It's FOSS • • •spageektti
in reply to It's FOSS • • •ThinkRoot
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Headless Hessian
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Mischievous Loner
in reply to It's FOSS • • •bitterhalt
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Juanjo Salvador
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Dani
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Pedro J. Hdez
in reply to It's FOSS • • •mainstream distributions as Ubuntu, Opensuse or Fedora for three reasons:
1. Software is quite up-to-date
2. Guaranteed online support due to its larger user base.
3. Security. Something that is often forgotten when it comes to recommendations.
For very basic users, I would never recommend the installation by themselves but by someone with the necessary knowledge.
It's FOSS
in reply to Pedro J. Hdez • • •Jakob Thoböll - R.I.P. Natenom
in reply to It's FOSS • • •For Newbies, my (not very well researched) suggestion is still Mint.
My own usage is Fedora. Next projects will be based on Debian.
Li0nhead
in reply to It's FOSS • • •metrics_unredacted
in reply to It's FOSS • • •#fedora #linux
💙 Fedora Silverblue
cwansart
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Arianit D 🌻
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Back To Analog
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Martin Hamel
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Fedora Atomic Desktops | The Fedora Project
fedoraproject.orgIt's FOSS
in reply to Martin Hamel • • •:-)avid
in reply to It's FOSS • • •… I know I know.
But, breaking your system is a nice way to learn new things!
It's FOSS
in reply to :-)avid • • •Karol „Improbite” Riebandt
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Vini, o Healer
in reply to It's FOSS • • •bbbhltz
in reply to It's FOSS • • •From what I've read?
Fedora
Mint
Ubuntu
After some experience...
Debian, Arch, MX
It's FOSS
in reply to bbbhltz • • •Waitwut
in reply to It's FOSS • • •The first step I think is Linux Mint, after that Fedora KDE. Linux Mint as a starter I find it to be closest kind of experience to Win even if I use and adore Fedora KDE.
That being said I feel that for a newcomer the initial consideration should be the desktop environment, in the end there are so many amazing distributions out there but the first contact is the way the distribution looks like and how close it comes to windows in that regard.
It's FOSS
in reply to Waitwut • • •Snaxcident
in reply to It's FOSS • • •mmphosis
in reply to It's FOSS • • •DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.
distrowatch.comCenbe
in reply to It's FOSS • • •georgebmillion.com
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Aodh the sorcerer
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Mariaje Pérez
in reply to It's FOSS • • •#linuxmint #zorinos #linux
tulili :v18:
in reply to It's FOSS • • •YourShadowDani
in reply to It's FOSS • • •75watt
in reply to It's FOSS • • •shur3d
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Successfully installed and recommended this year: Universal Blue Atomic Releases based on Fedora
Flatpak and brew all the way, always up to date and indestructable
#KDE > #aurora > https://getaurora.dev/
#gnome > #bluefin > https://projectbluefin.io/
Bluefin
projectbluefin.ioGeorgeee🏳️🌈 (powered by ai)
in reply to It's FOSS • • •It's FOSS
in reply to Georgeee🏳️🌈 (powered by ai) • • •Ourouk
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Nobara/Garuda for my gamer nephew.
Cachyos for devs friends.
It's FOSS
in reply to Ourouk • • •Ryan
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Jan Vlug
in reply to It's FOSS • • •#Fedora #GNOME #Wayland - which is the default Fedora desktop.
Very clean, non-distracting and easy to use.
Prophet
in reply to It's FOSS • • •It's FOSS
in reply to Prophet • • •nob0dy
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Karsten Johansson
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Felix
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Linux from Scratch.
But if you mean the other kind of beginner, who wants to use Linux, not fully understand it: #Fedora.
Fedora has such a lovely, helpful community, which is also always thankful for bug reports and contributions. It is not only easy to use but a showcase for an inclusive Open Source community.
And for those, who boot their PC only for their yearly tax return: Linux Mint. Looks ugly and is borning. But sometimes that's what people need.
cameronbosch :endeavourOS:
in reply to It's FOSS • • •I've got a few distros for beginners I recommend:
- Tuxedo OS
- Bazzite, Aurora, and Bluefin
- Pop!_OS (but not until 24.04 or whatever the first version with COSMIC is called is released)
- Linux Mint (but only the Cinnamon version and only for some users because of some issues with Cinnamon and the software store)
I don't recommend for beginners:
- Ubuntu or any of their official flavors
- Zorin OS
- Manjaro
- Anything Arch based
- Any distro without a graphical package manager
It's FOSS
in reply to cameronbosch :endeavourOS: • • •rsp
in reply to It's FOSS • • •MrGrumpyMonkey
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Sherlock Hawk
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Tulio Lazarini
in reply to It's FOSS • • •XAG.info 💻📱⚙️🖥
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Linux Mint Debian Edition LMDE
Sauber, Stabil, FOSS
#LMDE #FOSS
https://www.linuxmint.com/download_lmde.php
Download LMDE 6 - Linux Mint
www.linuxmint.comImagineee
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Ԏєηυкι, 手抜き🚀🐧♏ 🔭 ⚫⚪
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Fadikkop
in reply to It's FOSS • • •It's FOSS
in reply to Fadikkop • • •Bob Downie
in reply to It's FOSS • • •As others have suggested #Mint.
I have been a Windows user for many years but am a recent #Linux newcomer. Now retired I have been investigating various distros that a) I can understand and use without too much of a learning curve and b) will run on my ancient laptop reasonably speedily.
I have tried a number of lightweight distros to try to improve performance but they just leave me confused. #Mint does what I want and it's easy to navigate.
It's FOSS
in reply to Bob Downie • • •Bob Downie
in reply to It's FOSS • • •It's FOSS
in reply to Bob Downie • • •Bob Downie
in reply to It's FOSS • • •It's FOSS
in reply to Bob Downie • • •Hedders
in reply to It's FOSS • • •It's FOSS
in reply to Hedders • • •Gytis Repečka
in reply to It's FOSS • • •It's FOSS
in reply to Gytis Repečka • • •Linux Is Best
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Ultramarine Linux (KDE Plasma). - It just works.
For a newbie, it already includes your drives, firmware, media codecs, and repositories. No matter if you are using Nvidia, Amd, or Intel, your GPU works upon install - In that regard it is easier than Windows.
You can install, remove, or update apps through the store. You can also upgrade your whole OS through the store - It is integrated like Windows Update, and notifies you when it has updates. You can download a 3rd party setup file (Rpm) and double-click to install, just like you would a Windows setup file. Control Panel (settings) are all point and click too.
It's FOSS
in reply to Linux Is Best • • •