Recommended Distro for New Linux Users (2013)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by whs

I think there are 2 major obstacles that will prevent Linux from a wide usage:

1. There are far too many distros. Anybody who wants to start with Linux is completely disoriented. If these guys could agree on 3 or 4 distros and scrap all the rest, it would be a lot better. And bundling their development resources would allow for lot better developments.

2. There are still too many functions that have to be executed thru the command line.

---

As odd as it may seem from your perspective, there are many seasoned Linux users who consider both of those as major strengths for Linux, not obstacles. I like having lots of options to choose from, and tend to use the command line more and more as I go forward using Linux. The best way to not let all that drag you down is to pick a popular distro for new Linux users (any of the top 3 or 4), then just forget about all the others until you are totally ready to try another, and of course leave the command line stuff be until you have some experience under your belt.

Quote:

---

There are far too many distros. Anybody who wants to start with Linux is completely disoriented

---

Down south here we would call that, "Sounds like a personal problem to me."

Quote:

---

If these guys could agree on 3 or 4 distros and scrap all the rest

---

Again, sounds like a personal problem to me. One cannot decide what is best for me. Glad I have a choice.

Quote:

---

Anybody a bit less interested than me and with less computer background would have long given up on Linux.

---

And that is fine by me. But> I am a uneducated tattooed outlaw linux biker who knows nothing about computers.
I liked it better when only outlaws rode Harleys. When the doctors,lawyers,and everybody else I would not have a drink
in a bar with got involved. Well, it helped my motorcycle business but the runs got more boring.

Oh yeah, I voted other. Fuduntu. Because Hardware Specs play into what I recommend plus the persons posting knowledge. I run AntiX and Puppy because I want to. Not because I have to settle on just 3 or 4 choices.

That is why I think many choices are good in Linux and command line don't scare me. Now my wife. She scares me. ;)

Well, you keep the mess and prevent Linux from being attractive to a greater audience. I do this only for fun. After 52 years in computers (as a profession) and after more than 50 operating systems I know what to choose. But what about Joe Blow around the corner that sees a computer for the first time. I would probably recommend he buy a Chromebook.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by retired1af

Phooey! Make 'em learn with a Gentoo stage 3 tar ball! :D

---

Wow... not only throwing them to the wolves, but you're making sure the wolves are hungry!:twisted:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by whs

1. There are far too many distros. Anybody who wants to start with Linux is completely disoriented. If these guys could agree on 3 or 4 distros and scrap all the rest, it would be a lot better.

---

I guess one could say the same thing about Ben & Jerry making so many flavors of ice cream.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by whs

But what about Joe Blow around the corner that sees a computer for the first time.

---

That was pretty close to my story. I had been using Windows XP for about 3 month when I started playing around with various LiveCDs. Before that, I couldn't tell you the difference between a search engine and web page.


That said, I think Mint makes or a great novice-friendly distro.

Quote:

---

That said, I think Mint makes or a great novice-friendly distro

---

Mint isn't bad, but I like Zorin better.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by whs

Well, you keep the mess and prevent Linux from being attractive to a greater audience. I do this only for fun. After 52 years in computers (as a profession) and after more than 50 operating systems I know what to choose. But what about Joe Blow around the corner that sees a computer for the first time. I would probably recommend he buy a Chromebook.

---

Joe Blow who has never touched a PC in his life isn't going to be running Linux. If he's rich enough, he'll most likely get something from Apple. Or he'll just go with a Windows machine.

My father is one of those who's barely computer literate. There is absolutely no way I'd recommend a Linux machine for him. Never. I've created a system image for him with detailed, step by step instructions on what he needs to do if he borks the machine. He can restore the image, but there is absolutely no way I'd attempt to teach him the ins and outs of a new OS.

I'd have to go postal on someone if it was decided to limit the number of distributions to 3 or 4. Who gets to decide? The clueless? No thank you. I'll make my own decisions thankyouverymuch.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by whs

Mint isn't bad, but I like Zorin better.

---

And that's exactly why I'm glad that there are so many choices out there.;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jayd512

And that's exactly why I'm glad that there are so many choices out there.;)

---

That is a perfectly valid argument for the insiders. But if you approach Linux for the first time, the amount of distros will really disorient you and you look at them like at the wall of China. And that took more than 100 years to conquer.

This is a very good read (if occasionally preachy) that may answer a few of your questions.

Yeah, that was one of the first things I read.