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People who have installed Linux on their parents computer, how did it go? Which distro do you recommend? Any tips? (lemmy.zip)

submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by Blaze@lemmy.zip to c/linux@programming.dev

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There are always stories of people installing Linux on their parents computer to provide them a more secure and stable operating system, seems interesting to share experiences.

Edit: I'm assuming that parents are okay with the changes, or do not care. Obviously do not force anyone to switch OS if they don't want to.

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[–] Technoguyfication@sh.itjust.works 52 points 3 months ago (3 children)

I’d recommend Linux Mint honestly. It’s popular enough that they can find solutions to common problems, has a Windows-like interface, and it mostly “just works” on common hardware. Printer drivers, networking, and audio all worked out of the box for me. Cinnamon is lightweight but powerful, and the Mint theme looks really good on it. The default package repos have everything you’re likely to need, and the software manager tool is easy to use.

[–] canis_majoris@lemmy.ca 29 points 3 months ago

I am here to also echo Mint being great. I installed it on a pretty old laptop and it's very snappy.

The migration process was not difficult at all.

Yeah, you know Chrome? It's this button now, this is the internet.

Your emails? Yeah they're this button now. Just remember that, okay?

Most people use computers as a means to an end and they are not really particular about what's happening behind the scenes so long as it functions for their needs.

[–] vrek@programming.dev 8 points 3 months ago

I did this back in probably 2008 with Linux mint.

[–] boredsquirrel 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Mint does not automatically install updates so people will ignore them. It for me also had a broken updater.

[–] Technoguyfication@sh.itjust.works 10 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I don’t know of many distros that enable automatic updates out of the box, you usually have to enable it after installing.

You can do that in Mint too: https://linuxhint.com/configure-updates-automatically-linux-mint/

[–] boredsquirrel 0 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Fedora Atomic Desktops, many more "immutable" distros do

[–] lud@lemm.ee 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Immutable distros aren't the norm though.

[–] boredsquirrel 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Didnt say that. I just said "Linux mint does not auto update so people will ignore it".

It is useful that it can be enabled. But keep that in mind, I know people that ignore updates if they arent forced to.