this post was submitted on 24 Jan 2024
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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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Hey all, I've been thinking about making the jump from Windows to Linux as my daily-driver and I've been struggling on what distro to use.

On my laptop I've been using Fedora's KDE Spin for a bit but I can't say I really like KDE all that much. I took that Distrochooser test and 9/10 of the suggestions were all Ubuntu-based or Arch-based for some reason lol.

I would prefer a distro that "just works" but I'm not scared of having to troubleshoot or fix things. I guess I'm just looking to see what everyone else uses and what you all recommend. Thanks!

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

openSUSE Tumbleweed. Or EndeavorOS if you want to join the Arch side.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I like fedora but I'm really loving opensuse tumbleweed on both my desktop and laptop. I have Nvidia rtx cards and support is just a few mouse clicks post-image. I get better FPS now than I did in Windows 11.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

Adding that zorin was great as well but it's Debian-based so driver support was behind enough that some games wouldn't launch for me.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

Anything except Ubuntu and it's direct downstreams

Fedora for my pick.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

@Canadian_Cabinet www.tromjaro.com/ - you can try our distro. Based on Manjaro it has all you need to just use it. Enabled the Chaotic AUR repos, flatpaks, and our repo, thus you can find any linux app via one single place. Click and install. Plus we have a list of some 700 curated apps on our website www.tromjaro.com/apps/ - apps that are trade-free. Meaning no BS, no freemiums, no limitations, purely free apps.

We made TROMjaro back in 2018 and kept it up to date since, plus developed our own tools like a Layout and Theme Switcher. See the homepage to get a more detailed idea about it.

That's all! :)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

If it's KDE that's causing issues you should just be able to install a second desktop environment and try that out.

Otherwise, Debian stable is good. Can also testing or unstable if you want newer packages. Debian "just works" if you're not on day 1 hardware, don't have Nvidia graphics, and can troubleshoot the occasional issue that any Linux distro will bring.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

You could try fedora sway or gnome spins

[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago

Debian stable.

I’m sure someone will link you the install media…

[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago

Universal Blue might be what you're looking for. It's a Fedora-based distribution based on ostree (same stuff for Silverblue/Kinoite). It has the leading edge system components of Fedora with the reliability of flatpak and ostree updates. I truly consider ostree to be the future of the Linux desktop.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago

what about regular fedora on gnome?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 7 months ago

I like Garuda. I use the dragonized theme and it makes it look similar to mac OS. IMO it’s as easy to use as any other justworks distro but is far prettier

[–] [email protected] -1 points 7 months ago (5 children)

Slackware. It just works. Even current is pretty stable

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[–] where_am_i -3 points 7 months ago (2 children)

None of those people have a slightest clue. Your options really are: ubuntu vanilla and maybe pop os.

Everything else will very quickly require you to read through some obscure docs and bash your head against the terminal.

Vanilla Ubuntu, not kubuntu/xubuntu/whateverbuntu is the only polished and documented distro. After a year or two of that you'll be ready to consider this "what distro" question.

[–] nao 1 points 7 months ago

Without the first sentence, this could have been one of the top comments

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[–] [email protected] -5 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

I would prefer a distro that "just works"

Barking up the wrong tree. Most people around here will lie and tell you that it does. It doesn't. None of them do.

Linux Mint is the most common recommendation. I'll recommend Debian.

[–] [email protected] -5 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Go with EndeavourOS. It won’t “just work”, but it will be the best compromise between confusing abstraction and low level frustrations.

Fedora is good but it abstracts a little too much away, this is great when you understand how software works, but it’s very confusing when you’re new to Linux and programming.

Arch is good, but you won’t be able to hid the ground running, you’d have to sacrifice a weekend to learn.

Go:

  1. [Optional] Fedora
  2. Endeavour
  3. Arch
  4. Learning
  • Ghost BSD
  • Void
  • Gentoo

Tinkering with those in that order, after about 6 months, you’ll start to feel at home.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

Also, if it’s just the DE, install sway / i3 and try that for a week. If you liked that it’s on literally every Linux distribution, even the BSDs.

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