this post was submitted on 22 Nov 2023
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Linux

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

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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stolen from linux memes at Deltachat

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[–] Neil@lemmy.ml 184 points 1 year ago (10 children)

Arch user here.

My recommendation to noobies is always Linux Mint even though I don't use it.

I use Arch, btw.

[–] stinerman@midwest.social 67 points 1 year ago

Yeah I think Arch is fine, but I'd never recommend it to a new Linux user.

[–] ProtonBadger@kbin.social 24 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Indeed, besides most linux distributions are fairly equally lightweight and can be customized. I tried 4-5 distros this past January (Arch being one) when I got my new gaming laptop and they all booted in ~9.5 sec for example, and perform equally well in general, they had fairly similar RAM load with the same desktop environment.

Arch is about managing the system as a hobby, which is fine.

One problem here is that new users install Endeavour/Garuda but don't know how to manage updates safely about pacnew/pacsave/etc. So the system might slowly "rot" without them knowing about it because new components use old configs, etc..

I also recommend Mint to new users. I don't use Mint, nor do I use Arch.

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[–] PhoenixTwoFive@iusearchlinux.fyi 15 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Hey, you're on the wrong Lemmy instance. :P

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[–] entropicdrift@lemmy.sdf.org 10 points 1 year ago

I use both, but Mint is strictly better if you want a no-fuss system that just works and will continue to do so

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[–] SamsonSeinfelder@feddit.de 93 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Isn't archwiki one of the most comprehended wikis for Linux distros out there? If anything, the arch-wiki (to me) has often too many answers for the same problem than the other way around.

[–] skullgiver@popplesburger.hilciferous.nl 42 points 1 year ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

[This comment has been deleted by an automated system]

[–] sederx@programming.dev 15 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (7 children)

Is actually great since it forces you to learn which saves you much more time in the long run.

But most people can't see past their nose.

Edit

Can't believe somebody got offended by this...

[–] hansdampf@feddit.de 33 points 1 year ago (5 children)

couldve stopped at the first sentence, but had to keep with the stereotype i guess ;)

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Is actually great since it forces you to learn which saves you much more time in the long run.

It is great when you have time to learn, but when you are trying to troubleshoot while understand basically nothing of the wiki ... it is not good.

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[–] christian@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I switched like ten years ago because I wanted to learn the details, but in all honesty I still feel like I barely understand anything. Not sure how normal this is, maybe I'm unusually dumb, but I feel like what I've really learned is how to troubleshoot and solve issues by reading documentation and tinkering, rather than understanding what I'm actually doing. I've had a stable system for years but I kind of feel like if a typical arch forum poster looked my system configuration for five minutes they'd be like wtf are you doing.

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[–] stinerman@midwest.social 21 points 1 year ago

I run Debian and I regularly look at the Arch wiki.

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[–] baduhai@sopuli.xyz 56 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Wiki do not have answer

?? The arch wiki is one of the greatest Linux resources out there. Sure there may be situations where it doesn't have the answer for something, but for a new user? It has all bases covered.

[–] Kushia@lemmy.ml 12 points 1 year ago

It's actually really great.. if you know how to interpret and apply the information on it to your situation and adapt as needed. A good new user experience it does not make however.

[–] Tlaloc_Temporal@lemmy.ca 9 points 1 year ago

On one hand, the archlinux bbs had the only exact reference to the issue I was having. On the other hand, no one could replicate it enough to figure anything out. :/

[–] MiddledAgedGuy 9 points 1 year ago

I agree. I don't use Arch (I have in the past) but I use Arch Wiki heavily.

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Weird shot at the Arch wiki, which is truly great. I turn to it regularly despite not using Arch.

[–] GBU_28@lemm.ee 47 points 1 year ago (7 children)

heres the thing: as a decade+ software dev, I never want to even think about my distro.

I just want Linux terminal style commands, and Linux style ssh shit to just work in the most middle of the road way as possible. I'm trying to get a job done, not build a personality.

[–] Kushia@lemmy.ml 9 points 1 year ago (2 children)

This is me too and why I no longer use Arch btw.

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[–] sharkfucker420@lemmy.ml 30 points 1 year ago

I will always recommend Debian or Debian based distros to anyone new to Linux. They'll find their way to arch eventually

Arch btw

[–] dannii_montanii 29 points 1 year ago

Arch wiki is the reason I started using Arch. After fixing an install from something I found there for like the 10th time I thought "Why not give it a try"

[–] milkjug@lemmy.wildfyre.dev 26 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (4 children)

Ex arch btw user here. I noped out and wiped after thinking I had it all nailed down, then I tried to connect my Bluetooth headphones and I came to a grand awakening. I am too old for this shit.

Installed Tumbleweed and been happy ever since.

[–] al177@lemmy.sdf.org 14 points 1 year ago

Tumbleweed is boring, and that's why it's wonderful.

[–] yum13241@lemm.ee 10 points 1 year ago

Tumbleweed is great, but I prefer EndeavorOS myself.

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[–] SexualPolytope@lemmy.sdf.org 25 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

For a total newbie, Linux Mint or PopOS are probably the best options. But EndeavourOS is getting there. There shouldn't be any issues during the installation if one sticks to the defaults. Only thing is, it doesn't come with a graphical package manager out of the box. But once that is installed (I think anyone will be happy to write a single terminal command, at least), I don't see why it's any harder to use than any other distro.

[–] Aradia@lemmy.ml 24 points 1 year ago

I don't have any issue with Arch, everything works. But when I try other distros, they are mostly messed up.

[–] fl42v@lemmy.ml 22 points 1 year ago (9 children)

Basically, most of the points there fall into some of 3 categories:

  1. Your hardware is crap:
  • WiFi not working;
  • Nvidia failed;
  1. You ability to read/follow simple instructions is crap:
  • WiFi not working;
  • Messed up installation;
  • Nvidia failed;
  • No answer in the wiki;
  1. Lies/outdated:
  • Updater broke system;
  • Troubleshoot everything;
  • No answer in the wiki;
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[–] ipkpjersi@lemmy.ml 20 points 1 year ago

I use Ubuntu. It generally tends to be boring stable, which is kinda what I want out of my OS these days. I can still customize it, and even break it if I really get bored, but it's nice to have things just work for the most part.

[–] ethd 19 points 1 year ago

Ok look I'm not a huge Arch fan either (it's great for learning the ins and outs of Linux but I've gotten to the point that stability is more important than anything to me) but the wiki is the most thorough Linux documentation you can get anywhere. It always, always has the answer, even if you don't use Arch, lol.

[–] Titou@feddit.de 18 points 1 year ago (1 children)

"Wiki do not have answer" that's why the wiki is also used by non-arch users ?

[–] Tiuku@sopuli.xyz 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Ay this is a funny meme and all but insulting the best linux documentation available was unnecessary

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[–] Commiunism@lemmy.wtf 17 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't get the hate arch gets - it's the perfect distro if you want to choose what programs you want to use, it's not meant to be an out of the box experience. Been using it for 3 years, and sure it might take me a couple of hours to set up initially, but after that I don't really have to do anything.

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[–] imgel@lemmy.ml 17 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Only people with time to lose use Arch.

[–] Aatube@kbin.social 12 points 1 year ago (4 children)

i disagree, aur save big time

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[–] Da_Boom@iusearchlinux.fyi 15 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Bruh, if you're going to insist on someone installing arch, at least sit by their side and walk them through it.

Having installed arch multiple times before, I can get a base system with networking and desktop environment up in half a day to a day depending on which DE.

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[–] araozu@lemm.ee 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If the arch wiki doesn't have the answer, I just give up

[–] library_napper@monyet.cc 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The most unrealistic part of this

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[–] java 12 points 1 year ago

Is this from 2010?

[–] Lojcs@lemm.ee 12 points 1 year ago

Arch wasn't my first distro but it was my first daily driver. Found it easier than both mint and Ubuntu personally.

[–] corship@feddit.de 12 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Nvidia?

More like:

Nie-wieder!

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[–] dewritoninja@pawb.social 12 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I always say Ubuntu, to make the haters snap

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[–] ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca 11 points 1 year ago

More Endeavour recommendations

[–] Holzkohlen@feddit.de 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Arch is great, but I'm too lazy to learn how to set it up. Once it's running I think Arch is amazing. I just use Garuda Linux and love it. The Arch wiki is an amazing ressource.

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[–] KingThrillgore@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)
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