• 0x0@programming.dev
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    26
    ·
    7 hours ago

    Linux Mint is one of the most recommended for newbies.
    You can use a live CD/USB to try it out without installing.

    • nevermind@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      4
      ·
      5 hours ago

      By newbie do you mean people who don’t know anything about computers ie me?

      • 0x0@programming.dev
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        3 hours ago

        I’d mean people who don’t know linux in particular but are marginally tech-savy.
        Mint has been described as “the distro your granny can use” (and some do), but it does require some knowledge to at least install it — but it’s nothing a tutorial somewhere won’t help with, it’s a low bar.

      • maniclucky@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        9
        ·
        5 hours ago

        Yes. It’s probably the friendliest Linux distro. But there’s still a learning curve so don’t go in thinking it’s as plug and play as Windows.

        Source: Tech savvy guy that changed over recently

          • dingus@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            5
            ·
            5 hours ago

            Plug and play essentially means “it just works”. Like as simple as plugging in a USB mouse and using it. When something isn’t plug and play, it means it takes a bit of fiddling with.

            • nevermind@lemm.ee
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              3
              ·
              5 hours ago

              Ah yes, thank you. A tiny part of my brain wondered if that was the meaning but it’s never safe to assume something when I’m as clueless as I am.

              • 0x0@programming.dev
                link
                fedilink
                English
                arrow-up
                1
                ·
                9 minutes ago

                Actually I think that term was coined by Windows 98 for hardware you could connect and it would Just work™ (I.e. without the need to install drivers).

        • Peter G@mstdn.plus
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          edit-2
          4 hours ago

          @maniclucky @nevermind
          Linux Mint is indeed the friendliest of the Linux distros but one still needs at least a bit of experience with installing OS. The fundamental problem with Windows is that it comes pre installed on everything and most people had never needed to install an OS.

          @nevermind, you need to find a friend who’s done it or someone online willing to walk you though it. It’s not very difficult but if you’ve never done it it could be a bit weird.