this post was submitted on 24 Oct 2023
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Linux
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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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I can't think of an arch base that does not require fiddling of some sort. In a similar way, desktop Linux is more or less the enthusiast OS. You are kind of like the car person of computing. You do need to be comfortable with messing around with the system to get what you want.
I can think of a few nin-arch bases that require much less messing around with, but they are more "boring" than arch. I use Mint with auto updates and time shift backup. It doesn't get more boring than X11 on a stable Ubuntu core. Flatpak install OBS and steam and set your computing on cruise control.
If you demand more excitement that a decades old DE Pop_OS shares a similar stability with some newer trimming. I also had a lot of success with Nobara if you want a non-Ubuntu core and desire something slightly with a little more pizazz.
He didn't say that he wants something Arch-based.
15 years ago, yes. But nowadays, Linux is super user friendly compared to those old days. IMO, even more than Windows! My mum for example uses Mint and does agree with that.
Especially the new coming immutable distros like VanillaOS or Silverblue are really easy to use for casual users imo.
You are absolutely right today is a far cry from 15 years ago, but just looking at raw marketshare Linux is like 3% of gaming machines. large portions being steam deck. Linux is excellent in a lot of ways but having what I would call mainstream popularity is not one of them. Though with continued effort on the part of the community to make everything better and MS for making everything worse, who knows what the future holds.
I have a very very positive picture for future of Linux in my mind.
For the entire history of Linux, it was basically an OS reserved for IT-guys.
But nowadays, I see some change coming.
I, for example, don't come from the IT space at all and use Linux casually, because I find it easier to use and more original than Windows (while not as locked down as MacOS), love the community, and much more.
But, there is always the hen-egg-dilemma.
Almost no casual users use it because it sometimes is a bit too techy (e.g. troubleshoot something with the terminal), and at the same time, nobody designs the OS in a way it appeals to normies, since only techies use it.
But, I, like many others, try to change that. I often suggest new features for better accessibility, and sometimes talk about it in RL to clear up some of the misconceptions. With success! :)
I jumped on that waayyyyyyy to early convincing people to install Ubuntu or Mint on their machines in 2007. I learned a lot unscrewing up a lot of machines. The winding path of learning.
thanks for the info, (arch is not required lel), ill consider the ol mint in the future again
Can always install xanmod if you want a newer kernel and more recent improvements. There are plenty of ways to make it more exciting, difference being you get to choose those from what I would consider a rock solid base. Many distros sort of foist the making things exciting upon you because all of the sudden you'll want to use a printer and become dismayed that your network printer doesn't just work, or that Bluetooth isn't doing what you want, or you'll run into an issue and find only a disorganized discord for support. When your beard turns gray you tend towards the boring because, at least for me, editing esoteric configs to make my printer works has lost its excitement.