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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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New to Linux? Ubuntu Isn’t Your Only Option (www.howtogeek.com)

submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

218 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Ubuntu's popularity often makes it the default choice for new Linux users. But there are tons of other Linux operating systems that deserve your attention. As such, I've highlighted some Ubuntu alternatives so you can choose based on your needs and requirements—because conformity is boring.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 9 months ago (2 children)

So, it's beginner friendly as long as someone helps you out with the installation after checking up on all the stuff you will need to run.

In other words, it's not beginner-friendly

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (2 children)

I've only recently switched to Debian after a couple decades with Ubuntu (because snaps) and I had a few issues during installation.

The net install failed to configure my wifi so I had to download the DVD/CD install. That worked but then I had to manually nano several config files to fix about 5 broken things for some reason.

I installed it recently on a different system, and went with the Live option (gnome) and it installed 10x easier and smoother than Ubuntu. It installed in about 4 minutes (on a new/fast computer).

So I would say Debian Live is VERY beginner friendly, but the other install methods are all messed up for some reason. Ubuntu's default option is the Live option so I think that if Debian just kinda hid the other options on their website it would be 100% beginner friendly...

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I would reckon your original hardware also played a big part if it worked swimmingly this time around. I've installed half a dozen Debian- and Arch-based OSes on 3 different PCs and four different hypervisors at different times, and run a few more live CDs to boot, and my experience is that there is simply some hardware/emulated hardware that Linux in general refuses to play nicely with.

Debian does make it harder if there are no free drivers, but my non-free wifi cards (an intel and a broadcom) don't play nicely with any of the OSes' defaults

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

The two PCs were identical hardware btw, so in my case Live just worked 10x better.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

I'm just gonna copy from my other reply to ulterno

Once again overestimating beginners. Any OS installation is inherently not beginner friendly, and requires helping them, regardless of Debian/Arch/Nix/windows/Big Sierra Lion Yosemite III, Esq. Jr. MD or whatever Apple’s calling it nowadays.

I find Debians defaults during installation very beginner friendly, set and forget type stuff. It won’t use the hardware to full potential, but that’s up to advanced users to decided after they’re comfortable with the training wheels.