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Ask Slashdot: What's The Easiest Linux Distro For A Newbie?
joseph Kramer -- a long-time user of both Windows and MacOS -- comes to Slashdot with the ultimate question:
I've been lurking here for years and seen many recommendations for a Linux flavor that works. What I'm really looking for is Linux that works without constant under-the-hood tweaking (ala early Windows flavors, 3.1, 95/98). Does such an OS exist? For the record, I am not an IT tech. I just need something to work with the mechanical equipment it controls. Any recommendations?
When it comes to Windows and MacOs, he describes himself as "fed up with their shenanigans." So leave your best answers in the comments. What's the best way for a newbie to get started with Linux?
When it comes to Windows and MacOs, he describes himself as "fed up with their shenanigans." So leave your best answers in the comments. What's the best way for a newbie to get started with Linux?
It's linux. And there isn't any tweaking you need to worry about.
* Carthago Delenda Est *
I just need something to work with the mechanical equipment it controls
Apparently you just don't need a run of the mill desktop linux distro, but some special purpose to control some hardware, right ? The good news is that all linux systems are more or less equivalent for that. The bad news is: what is you equipment ? Does it support Linux ? Do you need to write software for it or are you provided drivers ? If the latter you should ask your hardware provider what they recommend, not us.
Non-Linux Penguins ?
No, Linux is something fundamentally different from MacOS.. open.
You say you don't want to spend time tinkering. As we don't know what specific software/hardware you will run, only general advice can be given. So generally speaking, if you go with the flow and use the most used distro, that will maximize chances that any 3rd party software you use will work with it. Even if something goes wrong, you have the largest chance of being able to Google your way to a solution. So, then consider Ubuntu (or another mainstream Linux distro).
How is that a problem.
Normal people do not want to do this.
What is with this obsession of Linux users to want everyone to be "advanced users"?
It's precisely because of that, that Linux doesn't have a bigger marketshare, because of the Terminal that obsessed linux fans refuse to get rid of and the toxic community.
Because then it wouldn't be leet enough for them and they wouldn't be able to pick up chicks with their hax0r terminal skillz.
This is one of the things that annoys me too. I use Mint the whole time, and while it is lovely and user-friendly 95% of the time, I still find myself Googling for solutions to strange problems like not being able to save a custom resolution setting, only to find dozens of condescending forum posts on similar subjects pointing out that I obviously hadn't run [insert several cryptic terminal commands] before trying to do what I wanted to do.
Because then it wouldn't be leet enough for them and they wouldn't be able to pick up chicks with their hax0r terminal skillz.
This is one of the things that annoys me too.
Ain't that the truth! As much as I love Linux, when I have a problem, it becomes a real pain in the ass.
One group I have to deal with has twice now come out like crocodiles on a wildebeest to me when I reported a problem. In both cases, I've reported problems with updated distros and their software, and was called stupid, to go learn how to use Linux because it was obvious I never used it before, mismanaging my dependencies, and on and on. Then the distro producers put out a new distro. And it works. I was right, there was an issue with the distros - although the software should be more forgiving. Crickets chirping except for one guy who still said it was my fault.
The thing that is sadly hilarious is that this software comes out for Windows, OSX and Linux.
The first two, you click and install, and get to work. The Linux version is hours of screwing around. I enjoy compiling software, but mystery dependencies and inconsistent installs is a real pain in the ass.
And exactly like these folks want it to be. They like 1999, and don't want to leave it. The goal is to do work, not simply get the software to work.
Otherwise, Mint with Snynaptic to hit the software repositories is pretty good. If the software you need can be picked up through the repositories, you can bypass the ancient computing hell.
The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
Why should that make you wonder? I "love" my jeep, but I have AAA, know a great mechanic, and I don't even change my own oil. I can change a tire and put gas in the vehicle... but the reason I love it has nothing to do with servicing it myself. I didn't assemble the thing myself, nor do I care to know how the parts all fit together. I just want it to work and if/when something needs maintenance or a recall, I want an alert and easy-to-follow instructions... even if those instructions are to get someone else to service it.
I can't speak for the grandparent post, but for me, that's how it is for Linux. I like what it DOES for me, and I like that it isn't backed by any singular for-profit company that wants to display ads on my machine or mine my personal data for profit.
If/when Linux becomes completely point-and-click or touch-screen / voice only input for settings and servicing, it'll finally reach desktop and tablet ubiquity. Android got a lot of things right that Linux has yet to figure out... Android is technically Linux w/ its kernel, but it's definitely not the same OS as Ubuntu... and it really shows from its market share in everyday user interface land.
The terminal has its place, but it should be a last resort. Windows and Macs have GUIs for just about every setting under the sun. Windows even has "fix me" buttons to click on Microsoft's site for various bugs so one can download a script and run it without ever touching a terminal session... though lately, the most common "fix me" type situations are even embedded into the OS in a troubleshooting section under Windows 10.
There's really no excuse for any help discussion to begin with "first open a terminal and type sudo...." anymore. It's 2017, and we have advanced AI with machine learning algorithms. Please, someone help the Linux community move into the mid 1990s with GUIs. It's really the primary thing that's holding back Linux desktop and mobile acceptance. Servicing Linux when something breaks should be very user-friendly and easy. Breaking things should also be more difficult to do. Self-checks and self-healing should be a regular cron job, updating video drivers should be simpler and there should be an easy option to revert to last-stable... rather than being greeted by a blank screen upon reboot if something broke.
TL/DR
I love an OS when it works like I want it to, but I hate that Linux takes little care in catering to average, modern computer users that are not IT workers. Things should just work, and when the don't work, they should be easy to fix w/ point and click.