Ubuntu still the most user friendly distro?

PaulieG · Apr 6, 2021

So, I'm looking to use a linux distro on 2 of my WCG crunchers. I haven't tried anything Linux in 7-8 years. Is Ubuntu still the most user friendly when moving away from windows 10? Just an fyi, I don't even know enough about Linux to be dangerous. Any help is greatly appreciated.

TheLostSwede · Apr 6, 2021

Mint maybe?

night.fox · Apr 6, 2021

I also think it is mint but you could try Pop OS as well. Still ubuntu based

PaulieG · Apr 6, 2021

Sorry guys. I was skipping over words this morning. Fixed.

R-T-B · Apr 6, 2021

I'd say yes, that or one of the official alternative desktops (kubuntu, etc).

bug · Apr 6, 2021

Ubuntu is all Gnome3 now, which is quite alien coming from Windows. You may want to look at OpenSuse instead.

R-T-B · Apr 6, 2021

bug said:
Ubuntu is all Gnome3 now, which is quite alien coming from Windows. You may want to look at OpenSuse instead.

hence me advising kubuntu. I agree gnome 3 was made for aliens.

bug · Apr 6, 2021

R-T-B said:
hence me advising kubuntu. I agree gnome 3 was made for aliens.

Kubuntu is still a strange beast. If you want Ubuntu with a KDE face, Neon is the way.

R-T-B · Apr 6, 2021

bug said:
Kubuntu is still a strange beast. If you want Ubuntu with a KDE face, Neon is the way.

I honestly did not find it that strange. But I suppose I am more adaptable to weird desktops, lol.

abactuon · Apr 6, 2021

Ubuntu was a promising "startup". But it didn't work out. Now it's just a regular Linux distribution. No better than others.
Arch Linux the most ineresting.

bug · Apr 6, 2021

R-T-B said:
I honestly did not find it that strange. But I suppose I am more adaptable to weird desktops, lol.

It's not strange visually, but under the hood. It eats a lot more resources than Neon (I've read once it's because it doesn't get rid of unnecessary leftovers from Ubuntu - haven't checked myself). Ubuntu also packages ancient Qt versions which are always a good source of bugs. Neon trims all the fat and packages the latest Qt, making it a much better distro overall. Fwiw, I've used Kubuntu for over 10 years, Neon for about 2.

WatEagle · Apr 6, 2021

also manjaro kde is good... installing it on my laptop while writing this

PaulieG · Apr 6, 2021

I appreciate how some of the distros are more interesting etc but what I'm looking for is ease of use coming from Windows. I want it to require as little as possible to get comfortable with it. Visually, I'm fine having the desktop looking different etc., but I want to avoid needing to do extra work to have the OS be functional for everyday activities.

bug · Apr 6, 2021

PaulieG said:
I appreciate how some of the distros are more interesting etc but what I'm looking for is ease of use coming from Windows. I want it to require as little as possible to get comfortable with it. Visually, I'm fine having the desktop looking different etc., but I want to avoid needing to do extra work to have the OS be functional for everyday activities.

Ubuntu can do all that, if you can get to terms with Gnome. If you can't, the best KDE distros are OpenSuse and Neon (Ubuntu derivative).
Manjaro mentioned above is also nice, but idk whether it fits your "everything should just work" requirement.

I think that's the gist of it.

Edit: Tbh, many things are easier to do in Linux than they are on Linux (e.g. setting up a VPN connection, updating all your stuff with a simple CLI command). But not all. And there will always be peripherals that are no more than paperweights on Linux, because of lack of drivers.

PaulieG · Apr 6, 2021

bug said:
Ubuntu can do all that, if you can get to terms with Gnome. If you can't, the best KDE distros are OpenSuse and Neon (Ubuntu derivative).
Manjaro mentioned above is also nice, but idk whether it fits your "everything should just work" requirement.

I think that's the gist of it.

Edit: Tbh, many things are easier to do in Linux than they are on Linux (e.g. setting up a VPN connection, updating all your stuff with a simple CLI command). But not all. And there will always be peripherals that are no more than paperweights on Linux, because of lack of drivers.

When you say "if you can get to terms with gnome", what do you mean?

SomeOne99h · Apr 6, 2021

I guess he means if you have no problem with having gnome as a desktop environment.
Pop!_OS (a Ubuntu-based one) is easy and simple too. It is my choice when I am going to install Linux, I just need a laptop.

Pop!_OS by System76

Imagine an OS for the software developer, maker and computer science professional who uses their computer as a tool to discover and create. Welcome to Pop!_OS.

pop.system76.com

ZenZimZaliben · Apr 6, 2021

Ubuntu is still the easiest to use. A nice mix/cross between Mac OSx, Windows, Android.

Liquid Cool · Apr 6, 2021

PaulieG,

+1 for ubuntu if you're looking for ease of use. I'm not a fan of the desktop(since leaving unity) environment, but use it anyway ~ for that very purpose.

Everything..."usually" just works.

Best,

Liquid Cool

Solaris17 · Apr 6, 2021

If you want Ubuntu with enough interesting can give ubuntu budgie a try.

Ubuntu Budgie

Your favorite new Ubuntu Distro

ubuntubudgie.org

Ubuntu in general I would say is the go to if you want simple in a lot of aspects, its pretty friendly and very well documented.

bug · Apr 6, 2021

PaulieG said:
When you say "if you can get to terms with gnome", what do you mean?

I mean I've tried for years and it still feels awkward to me. Last I tried it took me like 10 minutes to figure out how to make the file explorer go to the root folder.
It's not a bad desktop environment, many people are fine with it. I just think coming from Windows, you won't feel at home with it.

Still, you can download whatever distro you want to try, put it on USB stick and run it from there. That should be enough to figure out if Gnome is made for you or not, before committing to a full-fledged install.

ThrashZone · Apr 6, 2021

Hi,
Forget about the little linux spawns stick with the bigs like mint mate or I use 20.1 mint cinnamon
Linux hasn't gotten any easier sadly.

WatEagle · Apr 7, 2021

bug said:
Still, you can download whatever distro you want to try, put it on USB stick and run it from there. That should be enough to figure out if Gnome is made for you or not, before committing to a full-fledged install.

whithout the hassle to create a live you can also use https://distrotest.net/index.php to try it live really fast and easy

PaulieG · Apr 8, 2021

WatEagle said:
whithout the hassle to create a live you can also use https://distrotest.net/index.php to try it live really fast and easy

I've never seen this before. It's perfect. Thanks!

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Ubuntu still the most user friendly distro?

PaulieG

Moderator

TheLostSwede

night.fox

PaulieG

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R-T-B

bug

R-T-B

bug

R-T-B

abactuon

bug

WatEagle

PaulieG

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bug

PaulieG

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SomeOne99h

Pop!_OS by System76

ZenZimZaliben

Liquid Cool

Solaris17

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Ubuntu Budgie

bug

ThrashZone

WatEagle

PaulieG

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