Answers to: Which Linux distribution is better for newbies?

Answer by daves dad

daves dad — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 11:17:15 -0400

My dad was new to computers. He could not even use ms-windows. He would phone up every second day with a problem. After a few weeks I noticed that most problems I was struggling with. Like modem stops working, CD seems to write and read, but when ejected is blank.

I installed Ubuntu; I now have to make a special effort to go see him. He never has a problem. Well there was one, he would fill the print queue up with rubbish, then a few days later do a print, and wonder why he got the wrong output.

I recommend a distro that does not give user to much privilege (to break stuff). And maybe a simple kiosk distro, if that is all that is needed.

enable security updates, but not other updates (so it does not randomly break)

Answer by Ron

Ron — Tue, 03 May 2011 10:03:15 -0400

To help clarify the answer, see here:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/914191/storage/How%20to%20Choose%20Linux%20-%20Color.svg

Answer by michaeltristan

michaeltristan — Mon, 02 May 2011 08:23:17 -0400

ubuntu 10.10 simply because of the large user base. for someone starting out, the community surrounding a distro will be it's most valuable resource. it has well maintained forums that are active and geared toward beginners. there may be better software, but i think the beginner needs better community support, which is where i find ubuntu to excell... have fun with that for a while.. then explore your options.

Comment by Jazz on Metcomm's answer

Jazz — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 08:15:03 -0400

Feel free to post a new question for this with additional information and examples. :)

Answer by Freshmeadow

Freshmeadow — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 22:42:39 -0400

I would recommend Ubuntu 10.04 as it is not only Ubuntu, which is very user friendly, but also a long term support release that is one year old now and has matured to become very stable. Plus, it has two years' worth of support left to it.

Comment by jw benson on Metcomm's answer

jw benson — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 13:26:37 -0400

Metcomm: Firefox has an add-on called IEtab which uses the IE rendering engine for sites that do not display correctly in Firefox. I have to remind my wife how to use it when she runs into one of those websites...but she rarely has gone to one of those ;o)

Answer by Metcomm

Metcomm — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 20:01:18 -0400

Slighty off subject in response to jw benson remarks:

I have a similar (identical) issue with my wife also - how do you get around those websites that seem only to render correctly with IE ?

Maybe a new thead should be opened for this ...

Answer by jw benson

jw benson — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 12:47:36 -0400

My wife has problems even with Windows. She only uses the internet or email...

After haveing some problems with her computer, I had to do major Windows XP maintenance to get it running for her. As an experiment, I installed Mint 8 Helena with a clean desktop with icons for Firefox, Thunderbird and Skype.

It's been over 6 months and she has not realized that she no longer has Windows on her computer. For most people that use computers for minimal routine use, one can easily set up a Linux system that "works" without their having to deal with any need to know what OS is running. Using open source software like Firefox and Thunderbird, which work equally well on multiple OSs, makes selection of an OS minor for those who are not nor have any interest in learning about computers. They want just to accomplish a task and "point and click work the same" no matter what engine lies beneath.

Answer by glbeach

glbeach — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 11:45:35 -0400

In my opinion, Ubuntu desktop (or laptop depending on your platform) is really hard to beat. I've installed it for my mother who is in her 80's and she finds it "pretty easy" to use - as well as pretty solid. I'm not putting down the other distros, simply saying that Ubuntu really does a nice job for users - there is a significant Ubuntu community willing to help, and as Canonical has demonstrated, they continue to develop and upgrade their offering. You would not be making a mistake with Ubuntu.

Answer by madpuppy

madpuppy — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 02:27:55 -0400

check out ZorinOS (http://www.zorin-os.webs.com/ ) it is a Ubuntu based distro.

From the website:

"Zorin OS is a multi-functional operating system designed specifically for Linux newcomers who want to have easy and smooth access to open source software. It is based on Ubuntu which is the most popular Linux operating system in the world."

I have tested it and have found quite polished and complete. also, the Gnome desktop has been tweaked to offer a familiar experience to windows users and computer "newbies"

Comment by Phenom on JZA's answer

Phenom — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 12:06:18 -0400

VirtualBox is ghetto. VMWare is better.

Moderator's Comment: The above over-generalized statement is opinion based on personal preference. It also does nothing to contribute to the question nor offer any real answer either.

Answer by JZA

JZA — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:59:26 -0400

I'll suggest you installing a VM first, this way you can taste linux before you have to deal with hard installations and partitioning. Once you are confortable then make the jump. On a VM you can taste different distribution. Mandriva, PCLinuxOS and Mint would be my recomendation.

For virtualization I recomend VirtualBox.org

Answer by teddymills

teddymills — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 03:28:26 -0400

Ubuntu 10.04 is a good distro for new users. It has all the power, admins require and easy enough for newbies.

Answer by hilyard

hilyard — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 05:59:16 -0400

Linux Mint 9 LXDE would be my suggestion for newbies, due primarily to the existing support (as sashi notes) and the quickness and simplicity of the desktop environment. Peppermint is another good one for laptops, especially.

Answer by Kevin M

Kevin M — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 19:27:21 -0400

Given that you're going to install Linux, I would go with Gnome. KDE is for people who want to tweak this, adjust that, and configure another thing, until it fits them like a glove. Gnome, IMO, is for people who want it to just do its job, because dagnabit, they've got work to do.