“windows 11 upgrade ready!” “your computer is eligible for windows 11!” “download windows 11 now!”
Linux is a whole new head-smashing aggravation, but it’s free and it won’t try to sell you AI malware bullshit.
Be patient with yourself. Be patient with the nerds who are trying to help you kill Windows.
Why are you recommending arch to people who have never used Linux
EndeavourOS is strangely approachable! Posting pictures of Tux and expecting everyone to joyfully dive in is just going to frustrate folks. Where do you start newbies off?
Something Debian based but probably not Debian itself, it doesn’t even come with the latest Firefox version due to needing to be extremely stable. This is for several reasons including the rolling release nature of Arch. Linux Mint is probably fine.
Though with the older kernel that’s packaged in with it’s latest version, all new latest generation (this year) computer parts can rarely have driver issues when the latest release is nearing it’s end. Still a very solid option whose default desktop, Cinnamon, is familiar to those switching from windows. Additionally, just like Linux lite and to some degree Ubuntu, it has graphical tools for many things.
Remember, the average person will be scared by a terminal, so allowing them to, at least initially, only use it with commands copy pasted from guides when absolutely necessary, is important. Now, if someone already has at least a bit of experience using a terminal on, for example windows, that isn’t just copy pasting commands, then it’s not nearly as important but those people are almost always developers.
An option is also just straight up Ubuntu, it’s the most popular making it easier to find help, or something like Zorin OS as it comes prepackaged with features like Windows program compatibility and the ability to make the desktop resemble Windows or MacOS.
It’s best to push people past choice paralysis by just choosing for them, though keep in mind their priorities while doing so. This is why some advise to just always recommend Linux Mint.
A quiz to help people choose a distro if you don’t know the recipients priorities/wants and needs:
Dispel perceived difficulties when possible. For example, mention that if they use Steam for gaming, they could seamlessly play many of the games on there through Proton or that you don’t need a command line to install chrome because distros like Ubuntu literally have an app store these days.
Also, I didn’t know EndeavourOS makes Arch more approachable! That’s nice.
The Ubuntu app store, what a phrase! There you have it folks, Linux Mint or Ubuntu! Or take the distro quiz, amazing.
I know it sounds like something Linux people would never do but I’m pretty sure anyone can install gnome-software, on which Ubuntu’s store is based, or KDEs Discover thing. They’re just graphical tools that let you treat the software repositories like an app store. You can even hook them up to Flathub for the full App Experience.
