I’ve used Linux for 16 years, exclusively for the last 12, and I feel that this meme is overblown.
The best distro for beginners is probably Mint or some flavor of Ubuntu. Stay away from Arch-based distros as a first-timer. In fact, stay away from things like Manjaro in general.
If you’ve got a few years experience with Linux? Sure, take Arch for a spin, after reading the wiki and making sure it’s for you. It is, in my opinion, the best of the rolling-release distros.
You think Arch is hard? Try Gentoo. I installed it precisely once, around 10 years ago, and immediately hopped back to Arch because I hated having to compile everything. (Which you can do on Arch, via the ABS.)
Better yet, try Linux From Scratch. It’s downright brutal, and only worthwhile as an exercise if you need to know everything about the land.
@Background Pony #7223
Thank you for this comment! I have been thinking to switch to nix, but if it is that much pain, then nope nope nope. The only reason I have been curious on nix is that it would be less work than with conventional package managers. Because I want to live more irl and fight less with computers.
Nah, to clarify, learning the Nix language and being extremely specific and organized about your config file is the pain.
So you know how in Linux distros, you would do: “sudo apt install steam or sudo pacman -S steam and then you’re largely done with it?
In NixOS, in the config file you’d have to write in the config file: “hardware.enableRedistributableFirmware = true;
programs.steam.enable = true;
hardware.graphics = {
enable = true;
enable32Bit = true;
};”
And that’s just getting started. I honestly can’t tell you what updating the system is like since I haven’t used it after making a successful boot into Hyprland with it.
NixOS is - without a doubt - a powerful distro, but I’m not cut out for it. I’ve been learning Void since then, since I’m starting to prioritize speed and low RAM usage and disk space usage.
And straight advice from me is: Going higher than Fedora or anything based on Ubuntu (like Linux Mint) is gonna result in you fighting your computer. If you wanna minimize that but also want your system to be yours to configure, use Arch with KDE Plasma, you’ll be referring to ProtonDB often for videogames but hey, that’s about the end of your troubles.
@Background Pony #7223
Thank you for this comment! I have been thinking to switch to nix, but if it is that much pain, then nope nope nope. The only reason I have been curious on nix is that it would be less work than with conventional package managers. Because I want to live more irl and fight less with computers.
I mean installing it is just getting the image and installing it… Setting it up on the other hoof…
However: the assumed level of technology Equestria has… Implicated here is that Twilight build a human technology computer and ed the arch linux ISO across dimensions.
On the other side there’s Manjaro, which runs most things without any tweaks and is already fully set up with the graphical env of your choice. @Conscious Donkey I got me a Manjaro because win11, But I gave up because much of oc testing software is on windows, occt can’t get the sensor data (and doesn’t label it right), and mark only has simple u and memory bench without all of the advanced options (database operations score in mark is 33% higher on linux)
Kept it because it’s supposed to run factorio up to 30% faster with some memory allocation tweaks.
Twilight uses Arch? That figures.
I’m on Mint 22.3 myself. And I’ll fight anyone who looks down on that. Mint works for me, and not because its “beginner” or anything. ^^
@Background Pony #7223
. I don’t know hardly anything about Linux. I was only clarifying the image’s message since people are misunderstanding it comparison between systems:
. I presume the image is self-deprecating humor aimed at fellow Linuxer enthusiasts showcasing empathy since (especially those with Autism I bet) such s choose technical difficulties any day over “touching grass” to socialize IRL.
Which is true, but I was replying to you assuming you were also an experienced Linux , kinda like trading opinions, not arguing.
And I understand that’s the image’s intent, but I have fun discussing Linux with fellow bronies who also use Linux.
But honestly, using NixOS will get you to the point where you’re actually questioning your life decisions and think “I can be improving my art, I could be writing my fanfics, I could be playing my favorite games…
Or going out into the real world and making friends?
.
I don’t know hardly anything about Linux. I was only clarifying the image’s message since people are misunderstanding it as a comparison between systems:
Twilight, as a shut-in, socially avoidant, extremely introverted nerdy geek, chose to deal with the perceived stressful difficulties of installing and using Arch Linux from scratch over the anxiety of making friends IRL.
I presume the image is self-deprecating humor aimed at fellow Linuxer enthusiasts showcasing empathy since (especially those with Autism I bet) such s choose technical difficulties any day over “touching grass” to socialize IRL.
.
Psychologically speaking, such individuals tend to find the intricacies of technical programming and engineering more understandable and simple due to their rigid concepts existing in a contained, manipulatable construct which can then be cross-examined and every component dissected. … Versus the weird whims of social constructs which don’t exist on a straightforward, formal basis of logic with pieces that can be taken apart, repaired, programmed, and built, much less an instruction manual. Even when you understand the underlying when/how/why of social order, application is still not easily accessible.
I’m with you on that Celestia. I don’t know what that is either that the purple nerdy science one thinks is easier. Also we need a tag if one hasn’t been made yet already for nerd discussions in the comments.
I second that completely, and I also wish there would be a tag for people showing off their MLP themed Linux Rices like “unixclop” or something.
@Eragor14
Then you can keep using Linux Mint, there’s no shame in being a Minty, especially if you’re content with it.
Some of us just felt the drive to distro hop and try new things with Linux, some of us don’t. It’s just the way it is.
And if it’s any help, I still highly highly highly recommend for Linux noobs looking to escape the grasp of Big Daddy Satya and his Windows slop, to install Linux Mint. It comes with everything a growing boy needs.
I’m with you on that Celestia. I don’t know what that is either that the purple nerdy science one thinks is easier. Also we need a tag if one hasn’t been made yet already for nerd discussions in the comments.
Why do I hate the fact that this specific image, the one that raised my dislike for Arch Linux, got featured…?
Faaaantastic.
Keep in mind I am still primarily using Mint.
And no, I don’t use the Terminal much (I only have used it to install a few programs that couldn’t be installed any other way, using various guides to help).
Twilight comes back with list of friendly numbers.
“What, I thought this was what you meant”
Edited
I’m not that toxic… in small enough doses.
So you know how in Linux distros, you would do: “sudo apt install steam or sudo pacman -S steam and then you’re largely done with it?
“hardware.enableRedistributableFirmware = true;
programs.steam.enable = true;
hardware.graphics = {
enable = true;
enable32Bit = true;
};”
NixOS is - without a doubt - a powerful distro, but I’m not cut out for it. I’ve been learning Void since then, since I’m starting to prioritize speed and low RAM usage and disk space usage.
your current filter.Hell yeah! Minties unite x3
Thank you for this comment! I have been thinking to switch to nix, but if it is that much pain, then nope nope nope. The only reason I have been curious on nix is that it would be less work than with conventional package managers. Because I want to live more irl and fight less with computers.
However: the assumed level of technology Equestria has… Implicated here is that Twilight build a human technology computer and ed the arch linux ISO across dimensions.
On the other side there’s Manjaro, which runs most things without any tweaks and is already fully set up with the graphical env of your choice.
@Conscious Donkey I got me a Manjaro because win11, But I gave up because much of oc testing software is on windows, occt can’t get the sensor data (and doesn’t label it right), and mark only has simple u and memory bench without all of the advanced options (database operations score in mark is 33% higher on linux)
Kept it because it’s supposed to run factorio up to 30% faster with some memory allocation tweaks.
Edited
Mint is based as hell
I’m on Mint 22.3 myself. And I’ll fight anyone who looks down on that. Mint works for me, and not because its “beginner” or anything. ^^
Edited
And I understand that’s the image’s intent, but I have fun discussing Linux with fellow bronies who also use Linux.
.
.
Then you can keep using Linux Mint, there’s no shame in being a Minty, especially if you’re content with it.
Some of us just felt the drive to distro hop and try new things with Linux, some of us don’t. It’s just the way it is.
your current filter.