Hello, everyone. I thought I'd make my first post something that all the experienced users could have a friendly debate about.

I'm looking to do my first ever install of a Linux OS and would like some suggestions that would meet the scope I'm looking to fill.

Total noob, just learning CLI but have had some experience in a virtual environment. I'd like to do a desktop install that won't be over challenging, but the idea is to still learn some basic skills about the system, directory and partition setup, drivers, etc.

This is just for fun right now, so I don't have a specific task that I want to do with this system other than getting my hands dirty. It will go on an older box that is 64 bit. (XP is on it now.)

This is a chance to mold and influence the new kid. I look forward to hearing all suggestions. Let class begin.

Drivers come along with the system so there is nothing to figure out there, unless you have the skill and interest to try writing or modifying one.

You do have a choice of several distros though. The main thing to remember there is that those are just the pre-configured defaults and the pre-installed packages. By changing the settings and adding or removing packages you can turn just about any distro into any other. That said, I'd recommend starting with one in the Linux Mint series for your desktop. It is GNU/Linux distro (yes it is) with a lot pre-configured to make it convenient as a desktop.

About the partitioning, you might start out with a separate /home partition, but otherwise on the desktop I don't see big gains for having a complex partitioning scheme. Having a separate /home makes it easier to keep your data across re-installation of a new system or distro. Partitioning a server would be another matter, depending on its purpose, but not on the desktop.

Back to the desktop, in addition to Linux Mint, since you have a 64-bit machine you might consider TrueOS. It's a FreeBSD distro (yes it is) and about the only exciting difference you'll see right away would be use of ZFS by default.

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Soo..i am not linux pro but i know phew things. Atart with beginner friendly distro.try Ubuntu, Kubuntu or Lubuntu..they are easy. Don't take server versions becouae they are CLI based and you'll be lost in it. Just install Ubuntu with desktop and use Terminal for all CLI work and fun. Don't use some commands which younsawnon internet..they can delete all on hard drive. NEVER type in rm-rf *..it will whipe root directory clean.
Also don't use Kali or Arch..they're too difficult for u. You need to know all basics. Just google around and watch some videos on Youtube..they're helpfull

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Hi /GNUBY,

My recommendation for a linux distribution would be more based on how much you want to "have your hand held" or not. As mentioned above by Turbocapitalist, Mint and the Ubuntu series are very popular, All-In-One types of distros, that deliver a full desktop experience along with a pile of applications (useful and otherwise, depending on your needs). They come with installation programs that guide the user through the setup and leave little room for error. These types of distros tend to be the first choice for new linux users, particularly those coming from Windows, and I would recommend starting here.

If you are interested in a more manual, "do-it-yourself" or minimalist alternative, let us know and I and others will be happy to suggest candidates.

Cheers :-)

You can learn using any distro. As everyone always says, you can't go far wrong with Mint, but it you want to be adventurous try

1. Slackware. The advantage is its stability and clarity of structure. The disadvantage is that the best documentation is provided by third parties and has to be searched for, the package management hasn't changed since the 90s, and there's very little software ready to run. Slackers would think it cheating, but my answer is to use Salix: 100% compatible but with twice the ready to run programs and a few useful graphical configuration tools.

2. Arch. The great thing about that is the documentation. The problem is installation, for there's no installer: you just spend an afternoon typing in a series of commands! But if you want to cheat, ArchBang will install it for you.


For information about partitioning (perhaps more than you'll want to know!)
http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/gparted.html

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Or Antergos, which is my personal favorite Arch installer. Just thought I'd throw that in.

Overall, I'd be more likely to suggest some form of Mint like everyone, as Slack and Arch do have a somewhat steep learning curve (even if you use an installer), and can easily frustrate someone that doesn't know what they're doing yet.

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Thanks for all these suggestions. I think that if I want to learn, really learn, I'll need to get a little bloody doing this, but I don't think I want to build it from scratch. Is there a happy medium? I'm not losing anything but time.

Why don't you have a look at: https://distrowatch.com/

Hope this helps.

You could do it in several stages. Start with an easier one, like Linux Mint. Then try Debian or Devuan. Then Slackware or Arch. Then LFS. Give each a few days to work with. There will be enough similarities that you will be building on something familiar, but enough difference that you will be learning the actual system.

Then if you have time or interest try TrueOS and, later, plain FreeBSD.

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Also, just because Mint has the tools to make things easy, doesn't necessarily mean you HAVE to use them. Once you get used to using whatever super easy desktop, there's nothing stopping you from installing a basic WM, uninstalling all the gui tools for system management, and learning everything manually using the same Mint. Those tools are optional, and you're not FORCED to use them.

If you truly do want to learn linux well, I will definitely say then you'd want to use a few different distro's just for the familiarity of the things they do differently. But for basic linux knowledge of how to do things, you CAN make Mint as in depth for management as Slack or Arch. Heck, you could even do it like LFS if you REALLY wanted to, it's just a matter of how comfortable you feel doing it.

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Those are both great suggestions, thank you again, and I think that I will go that way with it. I noticed that no one suggested Elementary, is it not liked for some reason or just simply not as good?

It's fine. It's based on Ubuntu, but uses the Pantheon desktop environment (DE) and the Gala window manager (WM). Again, you can swap out the window managers and desktop environments in any one of the distros and keep yourself busy with just that for weeks. You can even dispense with a desktop environment and just run a window manager by itself. FVWM is a classic WM there, and if you want to see how much it can be customized, see FVWM-crystal. Oroborus might be the smallest WM.

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Best distro to learn not only Linux but how to create your own version, or have a 'persistent' set up on a pendrive, etc, would be AntiX, or if you want more bling, MX Linux, based on Debian, but without systemd, therefore 'old school' so lots of info on the web. But you won't need the web because they come with great documentation, & have really friendly forums.
http://antix.mepis.com/index.php?title=Main_Page
P.S. Of course you can run them 'live' if you want, without having to install.

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some people are going to yell. But I suggest Slackware. It now has other 3rd party add ons to deal with packaging and dependencies to same. sbotools for one. it is relativity easy to setup post install wise.

There is even a section in LQ just for Slackware just in case situations.

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Given your list of requirements, I agree with BW-userx. Start with Slackware. It can be, arguably, challenging at first; the setup will likely be something you can handle, but there'll be some things that won't be automatic, and you'll wonder why, which in turn will prompt you to research, and then in you learning how Linux works. That's the value-add to Slackware: it doesn't just change stuff out from under you. You'll come to appreciate that, especially if you try and learn on Slackware, and then spend a month in something else for fun. You learn quickly why Slackware is, well, the best!

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