this post was submitted on 04 Sep 2024
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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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Is Linux (dumb)user friendly yet? (lemmy.ca)
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by Noved@lemmy.ca to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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So I'm building a new computer before the end of the year and lemmy is obviously pushing me towards Linux.

I am not computer savvy, I have a family member that will help me set up my PC, but I do not want to be calling/messaging them every day when I want to open a program.

Basically my question comes down to: can I operate a Linux PC these days without needing to troubleshoot or type code.

I use my computer about once a week for a few hours I would say, so any time spent troubleshooting is time wasted.

Thanks!

EDIT: since a lot of people are asking what programs I typically use, I'll just list my most used programs.

Word, Excel, ect(I'm fine with alternatives)

Spotify

Gimp (would have been a make or break, so I'm glad it's supported)

Brave browser (browser is a browser)

Steam

Discord

I would say that while I could figure out how the kernels work, I'm at a point with computers these days where I don't have the time. My priorities fall with a seamless daily experience. If I have the time to figure something out I can, but ideally my day to day usage being unbotherd is what I'm after.

A lot of the comments so far have been helpful! I'm definitely going to give Linux a fair shot with my new build, probably start with Mint.

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[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world 40 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (3 children)

I assume you're talking about Desktop Environments. Yes, of course. KDE and Gnome rival MacOS as far as usability goes. The better part is that other software development groups port their software over to Linux as well and make it as seamless as possible.

People run into confusion here when people flood the comments on user questions like this, so let me shut that down right now.

If you need something that is a straight Desktop Environment, get a distro with KDE or Gnome, and a known OS that will have a lot of user base getting questions and answers if you even run into any.

Fedora or Ubuntu. Don't listen to anyone arguing for their preferred favorites.

Don't listen to performance comments.

You want a solid, no issues, not needing to look for help kind of distro. It's those two, no question, and they both have KDE and Gnome variants.

That's really about it.

[–] thayerw@lemmy.ca 21 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

I would maybe add Linux Mint to that list, but otherwise you're spot on. Fedora and Ubuntu are the easiest and most robust systems for novice computer users.

[–] JustEnoughDucks@feddit.nl 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Depends. If someone is gaming with new hardware, don't use a distro that doesn't update the kernel quickly and regularly.

Almost every problem with hardware on mint is solved by going through the process of updating the kernel or switching to a distro with up to date libraries.

It's fine for a lot of people, but it doesn't "just work" outside of the use case of only browsing the internet and word documents.

This is coming from someone who used mint for 4 years. There was about a dozen times where the software on the software center was so out of date that it simply didn't work and I had to resort often to using random ppa's which often broke other things. Definitely not user friendly.

That being said, Cinnamon is probably one of the most user friendly DEs for people switching from window. It is very nice.

[–] thayerw@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 months ago

Fair points. I've only ever taken Mint for a quick spin and that was a decade ago. I just see it constantly recommended as one of the most user-friendly distros, thus the maybe recommendation.

Personally, I'm all in on Fedora Atomic for my hosts and (mostly) Arch in my containers.

[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world -5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Linux Mint is Ubuntu with specific changes.

[–] Feathercrown@lemmy.world 8 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

That's how all distros work. They exist so that you don't have to make changes yourself.

[–] wulf@lemmy.world 13 points 2 months ago

Fully agree with this. There will be a slight learning curve since it will be different from what your used to, but it's friendly enough to figure out.

If you know the windows program you want to use just search something like "Linux alternative for x" (sometimes there is specific KDE or Gnome progs)

[–] subtext@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Only thing I might add would be potentially Bluefin. It is Fedora with Gnome, except Atomic. It markets itself as:

The best of both worlds: the reliability and ease of use of a Chromebook, with the power of a GNOME desktop.

It’s been fantastic for me with automatic updates and everything installed through flathub so you don’t bork your system with any misconfigured installs.

https://projectbluefin.io/

[–] subtext@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

Also: should you wish for something with Fedora literally in the name, Fedora Silverblue and Fedora Kionite are the upstream—published by the Fedora Project—versions of Bluefin that use GNOME and KDE, respectively.

Either could be an excellent choice should you wish for

Atomic

The whole system is updated in one go, and an update will not apply if anything goes wrong, meaning you will always have a working computer.

https://fedoraproject.org/atomic-desktops/silverblue/

https://fedoraproject.org/atomic-desktops/kinoite/