I'm looking to dive into Linux and gain some tech skills. I recently got a Lenovo T480s with 24GB of RAM and a 2TB hard drive, and I'm not a fan of Windows. My background is in cable tech, and I'm aiming for a career in network administration, especially since I'm studying for my CCNA certification. I've dabbled a bit with Linux while working but never really grasped it fully. I've seen several distros out there and am wondering which one would be best for a beginner like me. Should I go with Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or maybe Fedora? Also, I've got a list of apps I need to use for studying, including Packet Tracer, Wireshark, and Filezilla, and I was given a bunch of terminal commands to run to set things up. Given my situation, what distro do you suggest I start with?
5 Answers
The commands you mentioned are Debian specific, which means a Debian-based distro would be perfect for you. If you're looking for something simple and straightforward, both Debian and Linux Mint are great choices. Ubuntu's usually a bit bloated, so if you want something light, Mint might be your best bet!
From experience, I'd recommend sticking with Debian or Ubuntu since you're already familiar with Apt. It's nice and stable. Ubuntu’s reputation is solid for newcomers due to its user-friendly nature. Just be cautious and know what commands you’re running!
I’m a total newbie too, and I picked Linux Mint. It's been a smooth experience! It's user-friendly, and if I accidentally mess something up, the snapshots make it easy to recover. I think it’s a great starting point for learning!
I've been using Debian for over 31 years, and I don't see a reason to switch. It's rock-solid and dependable. If you're going for a Debian-based system, you'll find it meets all your needs for CCNA preparation without any fuss.
Any of the mainstream distributions like Ubuntu or Mint should work well for you. Just remember, switching later is not a big deal if you want to try something else! Take the time to research those commands you got before just running them; they might seem straightforward, but it's good to understand what they do. Also, to make your commands clearer when you share them, use triple backticks for code formatting.

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