this post was submitted on 14 Jul 2023
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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cross-posted from: https://infosec.pub/post/550905

Basically, which linux distro is the best for a non-power user? Someone who wants to be able to get up and running without having to learn how to manage the OS using the cli.

Quick example: When I install a new OS, the first thing I want to do is install Brave. That should be as easy as "click on this thing, type in brave, select Brave, install."

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[–] DudeWithaTwist@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago (4 children)

As others have said, Ubuntu is great for non-technical users. The only issue I could forsee is drivers. Apt loves to brick itself after 1 mistake. Since apt lags behind it may not support new hardware, forcing you to download drivers elsewhere, which is a recipe for disaster.

[–] allywilson@sopuli.xyz 0 points 1 year ago (3 children)

apt doesnt lag behind. The software packagers for whatever software you're looking for are lagging behind.

[–] DudeWithaTwist@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Drivers are packaged with the kernel. The kernel doesn't update between Ubuntu and Debian major releases.

[–] allywilson@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What? Modules (drivers) are absolutely updated all the time. What do you mean between major versions? Of the distro or the kernel? The distros generally choose a specific kernel (lts or otherwise) for their release cycle, but to think it's static or that backports isn't a thing isn't true.

[–] DudeWithaTwist@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

This is all from the POV of a person who just installs Ubuntu and expects it to work. So yes. I meant major releases of the distro and I assumed they weren't going to fuss with backports.

I figured modules that already exist in the kernel would be updated, but I've seen new modules added in later versions of the kernel. And since distro releases seem to stick with a specific kernel version, you would need to completely update your distro to get that support.

Genuinely curious since I haven't used Debian-based distros in a while, I always thought new modules are installed via the linux-kernel package. Are kernel modules installed separately?

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