What version of Linux should i use?

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Craftninja7

Craftninja7

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Feb 1, 2017
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I've been having issues with Windows, and I'd like to try out Linux. I know there's a ton of different versions, and i don't know any of them, what is one that's easy to use, and similar to windows? Thanks.
 
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The best distribution hmm?

I purchased the IBM T500 thinkpad for a linux version I tried many versions. The lappy had a old hdd and I used that to test which version i wanted to use. I first tried PClinuxOS 2016 i could not install plugins on firefox which is a big points lost.

I not a fan of ubuntu but I tried ubuntu 16.04 I do not like the interface witn the side panel. Yes i know it can be changed but not easily hmm MS Ubuntu. I tried ubuntu mate same version felt like i was missing parts of it. The one distribution I choose was Linux Mint 18. I have always liked this distro better than any other. I am thinking of trying
Xfce desktop since I have never used it. How mint does it is very different that other distros i do...
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I would suggest openSUSE. as it comes with many programs already "built in" into the system. Everything that works on Linux mint/ubuntu will work on opensuse. Open suse was built by professionals who also provide paid versions of linux for companies etc.
Never had problems with drivers(printer/webcam) everything just works. Worth a try.
If you have got any old hard drive. try to install it on it.

website: https://software.opensuse.org/422/en
direct link: http://download.opensuse.org/distribution/leap/42.2/iso/openSUSE-Leap-42.2-DVD-x86_64.iso
 
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Personally I like Ubuntu as an alternative operating system.

Like others have said, its in active development, it's used by a lot of people, and you can do pretty much do everything you can do on Windows.

If you would like to try Ubuntu out before fully committing, then I recommend creating a Virtual Machine and installing it on there.

If you're not sure how, check out this guide to setting up a virtual machine step by step:

Hope that helps.

Baz
 
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Linux Mint would be better for a home pc as the multimedia codecs and flash are already configured, also you will have the fewest incompatibility issues with mint. Mint also looks and feels similarly to windows, so I would recommend it as a starting point. Ubuntu will be good if you like a simple interface, and also it has the best community support; you will seldom have an unfixable problem in Ubuntu.
There are many options, but for starters I would go with Mint or Ubuntu, and branch out from there.
 
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To the OP, This recommendation is for the Cinnamon Edition of Linux Mint I believe.
 
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Not really, Mint MATE is basically a lightweight version of Cinnamon, and while there are some differences in terms of functionality, it really is just a matter of personal preference, depends of how you like the way they look.

Actually, now that I think about it MATE was more stable than cinnamon for me, as cinnamon sometimes 'forgets' were all the icons are and I have to restart the x-server to get them back.
 
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Yep, I think you're right.
 
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Zorin OS and Linux Mint are both nice linux distros for people that like simplicity and having something that just looks like windows. Both of these distros are based on Ubuntu, which is a distro that has a lot of support and is well known.

However if you don't like ubuntu/debian based distros you are better off trying Manjaro (Arch-based) or openSUSE (which I think is independent). If you have heard that Arch linux is advanced, that is not the case of Manjaro, it is just based on it and fixes everything without you needing to do anything.
 
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If you want a windows like i interface than mint or Zorin OS. I tried Zorin once. The support on the forums are not that good unless it changed been awhile since i been there. Really you need to do is burn iso on a dvd or create usb installer see hardware the livedvd finds on your system. Use this command in a terminal below to list the hardware and the drivers used. You could save it and post it if you have issues.


lspci -v
 
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I just ran elementary OS for about two weeks and I had a very bad experience with it. I have installed and ran over 40 different Linux distros in the last couple of years and elementary OS seemed the least intuitive distro and the most difficult to use on a daily basis. It has a VERY steep learning curve and does not really perform simple tasks easily. I would recommend against elementary OS.
 
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Have you tried the latest Version i.e LOKI?
 
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Yes, that is what I was running, elementary OS 0.4 Loki. It was too hard for me to figure things that are very simple in Debian and Ubuntu, it was not a very pleasant experience. If a person is not ready for a steep learning curve, then I would not recommend elementary OS to them.
 
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If the system you want to use linux on is a core duo
2 CPU i suggest linux mint mate. I use mate on my t500 ibm which is 9 years old.

I read up on elementary OS in its fourm and the main issue it the file manager used does not mount drives on connection. Odd that a linux os that clams easy use has this type of file manager.
I am sure there are other issues but this stands out.

 
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Linux is not an operating system, Linux is a kernel. There are many different operating systems that are based off of the Linux kernel, these are called distributions, or distros. Properly speaking these distros only incorporate the Linux kernel, but they are based off of the Gnu system, thus they are really Gnu/Linux operating systems.

Because of this, your question really needs to be rephrased in a way that it makes sense. Is there any particular distro that you have in mind, or are you asking about Linux in general?
 
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After trying around 10 different distros, I think Ubuntu Mate is the best. It is extremely well organized, with instructional material so good that someone who has never used a computer before could be up and running in no time. It is the most polished and complete distro I have seen. The forum is similarly well organized and very friendly. you can make it look like windows 7 with the Redmond theme.

I also like Zorin a lot. In fact, those are the two I currently have and plan to keep around. zorin is not quite as stable for me, but that may be my computer more than the OS. Ultimate zorin comes loaded with apps, similar to back when Windows came with a bunch CD's you installed. For example, maps, weather, 20 games, a bunch of graphics programs, and much more. It is the most loaded distro in that regard. you can also do a lot of tinkering to make it look the way you want.

Other versions of Ubuntu are excellent as well. I just heard that they are ditching Unity and going back to Gnome for desktop environment, a move sure to make many happy. Unity is just counter-intuitive, although there are those who love it.

Mint is of course solid and reliable, if getting a bit dated at this point. Every time I try it, I am at first impressed, but quickly become bored for some reason. But that's just me, It remains the most popular distro, which says a lot.

elementary is interesting, there was a time it was my favorite for a while, but you have to add a lot of programs. And it comes with an inferior browser. I believe you have to install an Office suite. A beautiful if minimalist distro.

Fedora is also worth considering. Very popular and easy to use, but I didn't care for the layout. but it's rock solid and cutting edge.

Deepin is beautiful and logically organized. but since it's Chinese, I never got very far with support requests. I tried Manjaro, but didn't like the desktop. However, you can get it with the Deepin desktop. that might be very interesting and worth looking into. The Deepin DE is gorgeous.

Keep in mind the system you're putting it on. If older, you want a lighter distro. there are many to choose from. Linux lite, for example. As well as light versions of most of the big names.

 
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good thing about Linux is its free to use down load and try one if you don't like just grab another
I use mint and / or Ubuntu , but it comes down to your own personal preference and needs

grab some pen drives or dvds and burn some iso to boot up and use on a live dvd or pendrive before you fully install


''You can download the Linux Mint operating system for free. It comes as an ISO file
which you need to burn to a blank DVD. The liveDVD is then bootable and provides a
fully-functional operating system which you can try without affecting your PC. In
layman's terms, when you put Linux Mint on a DVD and place it into your computer, you
can try it out while leaving your current system intact.
Note: It is also possible to write the ISO image to a USB stick or other memory device and boot from that,
or to boot from the ISO image on the hard drive, but these options are somewhat more advanced and the
method presented here is recommended. For help with alternative methods of installing and running Linux
Mint, please visit the forums.
If you like what you see when running the liveDVD you can decide to install the system
to your hard drive. All the necessary tools (partitioning and installation tools) are present
on the DVD.''

https://www.linuxmint.com/documentation/user-guide/Cinnamon/english_18.0.pdf
 
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You can't go wrong with Ubuntu, any version. Congratulations, you made a great choice. Ubuntu is probably the distro everyone should start with. so many others are based on it, such as Zorin and Mint. The Canonical team are outstanding.
 
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