Recommending the most user-friendly distro?

teebones · 04-19-2010, 06:29 AM

"Yes I know you can not compare....but the idea that if you wait you will get a better product can also be misleading. Version numbers do not arise until you choose what type and what style of distro to install."

the point of waiting for a new release closeby in time is that you have the latest developments that that Linux distribution represents. (evolution of software)
And besides that, why install a version if a few weeks later a new version arises? Upgrading a new system, as newbie, can be confusing, daunting, and non errorfree, so, better have a system, that only needs updates, while still have the latest experiences, is better for newbies. (and if the user won't upgrade, especially with non long term versions, of any distribution, the end of support/life for a release is quicker then windows has. Like it or not. thus more reason to step in with the latest release.)

my 2 cents

I mean, newbies don't go Windows 2000 anymore, when first time using windows, no, they take most likely windows 7 or vista.
Same reasons.

aus9 · 04-19-2010, 06:45 AM

hi

sounds like you are not using a rolling release and then updating using smxi?

(only kidding ok stirring)

I shall slink away and let the OP get on with making decisions

teebones · 04-19-2010, 07:11 AM

lol, not every distribution is a rolling release

cola · 04-19-2010, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annihilan

I have a friend whose Windows computer is giving him constant troubles, and he wants to end it all. I have dabbled in Linux before, and have an aging, unused Mint Gloria install dual-booted with my Vista, which works just fine for me.

He has XP, and his computer doesn't naturally boot to Windows, and the only way he can get it to boot at all is by entering the Windows bootloader and selecting Windows manually. He wants to wipe his disks and start anew, finally tired of virii and malware.

I would recommend him Ubuntu or openSUSE, as user-friendly as they are, but does anyone know of a better distro? He isn't stupid, he just lacks prior knowledge about computers to a certain extent, but if he were given experience and resources, I'm almost certain that he would become quite competent in Linux. I know that Ubuntu is widely regarded as the easiest-to-use due to its enormous repositories, largely-automated package installation, and huge community, but I've also heard (but never actually tried it) that openSUSE is very Windows-like in appearance, and can also be quite easy to use.

I desperately want him to not have to pirate XP just to use a computer, and I don't want him discouraged from Linux or Unix-like by something absurdly difficult like Arch (can be), Gentoo, or FreeBSD.

Thanks.

User friendly distro?Try ubuntu/openSUSE,or choose other http://distrowatch.com/

djsmiley2k · 04-19-2010, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linus72

Well
you know how i learned Linux?

I was playin around with Unetbootin and Ubuntu SE on my XP Pro
ans Zapped my MBR with syslinux somehow?!
LOL

I had no XP recovery disk and no idea that Ubuntu could have easily restored my MBR
so, in frustration I said "hell wit it"
got my files off hd with Ubuntu and vaporized XP!

I havent looked back....
and I didnt read anything
everything I've learnd is from asking dumb questions here

So, in my opinion; go at it full force, ie no windows
and he'll get it

Hehe, I kind of did the same with Gentoo - What a way to start learning

However I had some previous computer knowledge, I was the IT guy for the family, but it didn't really cover very much

.

Someone else said Ubuntu was the best first step they could of taken? How can you claim that, as you can only take that first step once. I'd say Gentoo is the best as it demands you understand what your system is and what it contains meaning that you can then configure _ANY_ kernel to fit rather than having one which you hope picks up on all your hardware.