Hey everyone! I'm on the lookout for a beginner-friendly Linux distribution. As a computer science student with a fair amount of experience in programming languages like Python, Java, and some C, I definitely want a distro that is easy to use but also allows for some advanced tinkering as I improve my skills. Ideally, I'm looking for one that has a nice user interface but still offers a terminal option and the ability to customize my own OS. Any suggestions? Thanks a lot!
5 Answers
If you code, don't be scared of using text! Arch is the way to go—follow the installation guide and you'll end up with a clean, efficient system. It's manual, but totally worth it. If the terminal sounds daunting, go for Debian; it hits that sweet spot of package availability and stability. You could also just install something basic and experiment through virtual machines to find what you like best!
There are lots of great options like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Pop!_OS, which are quite beginner-friendly. You can even test a distro online first to see what you like. For creating a bootable USB drive, Ventoy is super handy! Also, check out some YouTube tutorials for easy installation guides, they really help!
Arch and Gentoo are solid choices for building your custom system. They do require terminal use for installation, but the documentation helps a lot. If you're looking for a slightly easier option that still allows customization, check out NixOS. It has a friendly GUI installer, but you'll need to do some coding. Just keep in mind that the terminal will still be part of your routine once you're set up!
I'd recommend Arch Linux or Debian. Both let you customize your desktop environment, and as you become more familiar, you can really dive into installing and tweaking them. Arch can seem tough, but it’s not as hard as people say—try Gentoo if you want a real challenge! Just play around and get comfortable, and good luck!
You’re into programming, but do you really need to ask instead of just Googling it?
I could have searched, but I prefer to get opinions from people who have firsthand experience. Plus, it’s easier to ask here for advice and knowledge rather than sifting through articles.
Yeah, no need to be rude—sometimes a little help from the community is more valuable!
Inb4 lfs