Linux and You

This web-page is under-construction, probably extremely biased, and will likely never be 100% comprehensive. Take my suggestions with a grain of salt.

'I'm a newbie, what's Linux?'

Linux is, properly, a free and open source kernel upon which several different distributions are built.

Colloquially 'Linux' is used to refer to these distributions in full, which is what I am going to do henceforth.

Any given Linux distribution will broadly achieve the same thing: providing an interface between you and your computer so you can do Computer Things; checking emails, surfing the web, writing horrible website html etc. etc.

Why install Linux in the first place?

Any choice that is not Microsoft or Apple is a good one. I personally installed Linux because I will do anything to avoid Windows 11.

What Linux distribution should I install then?

The answer to this one depends on how experienced you are at computer, and partially what operating system you're migrating from. Let me break it down:

The Distribution (Distro)

This is the part that, for lack of simpler terms, runs the computer. It is a curated selection of programs on top of the Linux kernel that manage everything under the hood.
Most distributions are (largely) interchangeable and your choice depends on how frequently major updates are released and how far removed from 'upstream' you are. More on that later.

The Desktop Environment (DE)

This is the part you actually interact with. This is what controls how your application windows are drawn, how you interact with the settings, if it's on the screen the DE is responsible for it.

Most distributions come with a selection of desktop environments, any given desktop environment on one distribution will behave similarly on any other distribution.

That doesn't answer the question.

But it does provide context! If you are seriously considering a move to Linux, the context helps with matching what you want to a distribution and DE that will get you most of the way there.
Starting with popular DEs:

The Big Players

• KDE Plasma
• Similar in look and feel to Windows out-of-the-box
• GNOME
• Similar in look and feel to MacOS out-of-the-box

If it exists, it probably comes bundled with both or either of these Desktop Environments.

Lesser-known DEs

• Cinnamon
• Linux Mint's flagship DE, aims to recreate the experience of using Windows out-of-the-box.
• Xfce
• A mature DE aimed at being lightweight and full-featured. Highly customisable.
• LXQt
• A newer lightweight desktop environment, supports multiple compositors.
• Budgie
• Budgie offers several default layouts that re-create the look and feel of Windows-like desktops, MacOS desktops, and the Unity DE used by Ubuntu.

Your exact choice depends on how much RAM you're willing to allow the DE to have over everything else on your system. If you are a RAMillionaire, you probably won't mind the higher usage that KDE, Cinnamon and GNOME have.

If, like muggins here, you are using something that only barely qualifies as a computer; LXQt or Xfce may be more appropriate.

If even these are out of the question, or you aren't intending to use the computer via the usual graphical interfaces; you aren't obliged to install a DE, just be warned that you will have to get good at using the command line.

NOTE: As of writing the jury is still out on Budgie's memory usage, assume it's similar to the big boys.

Okay, so what about the distributions?

This depends on how familiar you are with Linux and/or how willing you are to troubleshoot by yourself.

If any of these interest you, you can look them (and many more) up on DistroWatch.

I have absolutely no experience with Linux and don't relish the thought of troubleshooting:

1. Linux Mint
• Undisputed champion of beginner friendly. Has three flagship editions that come pre-packaged with different desktop environments:
• Cinnamon Edition - Heavier resource usage but more fully-featured
• MATE Edition - Medium resource usage with less fresh features
• Xfce Edition - Lightest resource usage but fewer features
2. Zorin OS
• A distribution that aims to be easy to use without requiring much knowledge. For a small one-time fee the Pro edition comes with additional applications installed and e-mail support for setting up your system. The base and Pro editions allow you to customise the desktop layout, though the Pro edition has more to choose from.
3. Ubuntu & its Flavours
• If you've heard anything about Linux there's a good chance you've heard of Ubuntu. The original distribution you could probably install on your grandmother's computer. Has fallen in the ranks somewhat due to Linux Mint existing, and has made some decisions that some might call questionable.
• Comes in multiple 'flavours' which come with various DEs as default. The standard edition comes with a heavily-modified version of GNOME.

I'm fairly computer-savvy, and can manage most issues by myself:

1. Fedora
• I'm not biased just because I use it (/jk). A fairly solid base distribution that has support for a lot of desktop environments; however you want it, Fedora probably has it.
• Honorable mention to the Fedora Atomic project and it's derivatives, which aim to provide the same solid foundation in a format that is (short of active meddling) nearly impossible to break. One notable downside is being locked to a single DE as a consequence of how the atomic distributions are built.
2. Debian
• This is not a choice for the faint-hearted or those who absolutely need the most up-to-date software. In return, however, Debian will run buttery-smooth. Stability is king here, and there's a reason it's the grandparent of a shed-load of other Linux distributions.
  However Debian's stability-focus does come with the drawback of software lagging further behind than other distributions, and new versions of software can take a while to land.
3. CachyOS
• An Arch (we'll get to that) derivative that positions itself as being easy to install and heavily optimised. CachyOS promises speed, security, and stability while drawing from an extremely well-documented and active distribution.

I'm actually rather well-versed in Linux and/or I enjoy troubleshooting.

I'd question why you're here, but that just delays the part the Linux-enthusiasts are here for.

1. Arch
• If you manage to install Arch successfully you will have demonstrated knowledge of how Linux works far better than half the people running Linux.
  Arch requires that you understand how a Linux distribution functions, and will break if you do not handle it properly. In return for your reverence, Arch provides the absolute bleeding-edge of software: you will have the absolute most up-to-date versions of everything you could desire, and if that somehow doesn't have what you want, the Arch User Repository (AUR) - a repository of user-submitted software package recipes - will probably have it for you.
• Arch is also, as mentioned above, extremely well-documented. The Arch wiki is an extremely comprehensive and invaluable resource for package documentation that still has applicability to other distributions.
2. Anything on DistroWatch
• At this stage you have the know-how to hit the 'random distribution' button and make it work. You probably have an opinion about your favourite, and if you think Linux is boring and over-done, try any flavour of BSD and form an opinion about those. What else have you got to lose?

Caution:
Opinion Zone!

If you are tempted to ask "What about XYZ distro" then maybe you will find the answer here.

• I don't like distros who's first and foremost selling point is that they are 'opinionated'. You are free to download whatever you want, I'm not your dad.