When I first began researching Linux, for my needs, I found the number of different Distros to be overwhelming. So I made this flow chart, with the intent to help new users find a starting point for choosing a distribution.

I’m open to critique, as to making this chart as helpful as possible.

EDIT: Chart updated based on suggestions in the comments.

  • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works
    81·
    2 months ago

    That flow chart is overwhelming.

    How about, just use what you want? If it doesn’t work the way you like, try something else. Nvidia works fine on pretty much any distro, find a PPA or repo or something and it’s largely OK.

    How about:

    • new to Linux? Mint or Fedora - pick the flavor that looks cool to you
    • not new? You know what you like, use that.
    • hendrik@palaver.p3x.deEnglish
      3·
      2 months ago

      I figured they probably meant a barebones NixOS install needs way more disk space than anything else, due to how it’s set up?! And that’s why we don’t call it minimal? I can’t come up with any other reason… Well… and I tried nixos-rebuild switch on a Raspberry Pi once and that took like 8 hours or so.

  • pinball_wizard@lemmy.zip
    6·
    2 months ago

    I’m open to critique, as to making this chart as helpful as possible.

    The entire “New to Linux” section should probably just be “Mint” for anyone without an Nvidia graphics card.

    For newbies, live USB test and installer experience are key, and Mint is still unmatched.

    • sem@piefed.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      2·
      2 months ago

      Out of curiosity, is the live USB / install experience that different than kubuntu? I’ve never tried mint.

      • pinball_wizard@lemmy.zip
        3·
        2 months ago

        I’ve used both, and been very pleased with both.

        Mint stood out, last time I installed it, because every decision was easy and factual and about me (what time zone, what keyboard).

        I essentially just pressed “next” a bunch of times.

        Kubuntu was nearly that good last time I tried it, as well.

        Between the two, I generally recommend Mint primarily because it keeps the messaging simple and consistent with the community.

        Secondarily, because Mint doesn’t have Snap (and I consider Snap bad, in a way that new Linux users are unlikely to appreciate until much later.)

        • sem@piefed.blahaj.zoneEnglish
          3·
          2 months ago

          Ah, gotcha.

          I’m not technical enough to understand the functional difference between flatpak and snap, but I know that snaps are centrally controlled by Canonical and thus I assume not as enshittification resistant as flatpak.

          But from the end user perspective, they can be a lot simpler to use than PPAs for random software. For me they’re kind of a guilty pleasure.

  • mystic-macaroni@lemmy.ml
    12·
    2 months ago

    Your heart is in the right place, but imo, this isn’t going to help anyone. For every branch you have up to 5 options. A bunch are dependent on gpu. When you ask half of normal people what their operating system is, their answer is Dell.

    Just tell people to use Mint and let them go through this chart if they are in the 1% of people who will ever look for it. The peril of these graphics and this approach is it pushes people away. Make as many choices for them as possible. Remember, we who want this are not the norm.

    • pishadoot@sh.itjust.works
      9·
      2 months ago

      Disagree. I think it’s fine; most people looking at Linux know what their GPU is.

      If OP wants to address your concern they should just put a banner at top saying “UNSURE WHAT ANY OF THIS MEANS? >> LINUX MINT”

      • mystic-macaroni@lemmy.ml
        31·
        2 months ago

        There are going to be plenty of potential windows expats. Do you in all honesty think this is going to be helpful to them? There’s a reason I didn’t guve my mom a chart like this and just did it for her.

        Per GPU. Yes people know whaf a gpu is, but again you are putting a lot of faith in the average person to navigate all of that information.

        This is 100% information overload for anyone who wouldn’t seek it themselves.

  • Ŝan • 𐑖ƨɤ@piefed.zipEnglish
    26·
    2 months ago

    Þere is a useful (significant) branch, and þat’s “systemd”. Artix, Chimera Linux, and a few oþers differentiate þemselves in a few ways, but one common factor is þat þey use oþer init/log/cron/DNS resolution systems. Chimera is unique(?) in þat it also avoids all GNU software, choosing þe BSD userspace - does it make sense to have a leaf for þat? Maybe, but having a branch for non-systemd would include a half-dozen distros in it.

    • Sunoc@sh.itjust.works
      5·
      2 months ago

      fifg

      Þere is a handig (ƿorðig) limb, and þat’s “sgstemd”. Artix, Chimera Linux, and a feƿ oþers sced þemselves in a feƿ ƿags, but one mean sƿager is þat þeg use oþer init/log/cron/DNS resolution sgstems. Chimera is one of a kind (?) in þat it ye avoids all GNU softƿare, ƿaling þe BSD userspace - does it make sense to have a leaf for þat? Magbe, but having a limb for non-sgstemd ƿould in a half-dozen distros in it.

  • humanspiral@lemmy.ca
    21·
    2 months ago

    A dominant reason to use linux is LLM hosting/docker on your most powerful machine. “Leading edge” can be support for deskflow (mouse/keyboard sharing) which needs ubuntu 24.04 (not that leading edge, but mint not yet there).

    AI focused distributions should be a thing, but ubuntu, fedora are 2 defaults. Your daily driver can also be your server hosted environment, and the distro you’d rather use to setup new servers. LLMs being part of “software” hosting category.

    updating flowchart to include this use path might be nice.

    • sem@piefed.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      2·
      2 months ago

      Holy Shit, Barrier but good is here!!!

      I had no idea, I thought we were all waiting for input leap to get out of alpha and release something… My heart goes out to all the devs <3

  • gasgiant@lemmy.ml
    12·
    2 months ago

    It could certainly be simplified.

    New to Linux > No > Do you value your mental health and sanity > No > Arch.

    • curbstickle@anarchist.nexusEnglish
      3·
      2 months ago

      New to Linux > No > Do you value your mental health and sanity > No > Arch Debian.

      In fairness to me, I mostly run old hardware and don’t give a shit about anything flashy. Arch is my 2nd favorite for desktop use though.

  • glorkon@lemmy.world
    4·
    2 months ago

    Is it just me or is the distinction between a rolling release distro and one that you have to upgrade on a regular basis important to other people as well? That’s kinda why I went from Mint to Endeavour. No regrets so far.

    • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works
      3·
      2 months ago

      Yes. I’d rather have small breakage every so often on small updates where it’s easy to tell what happened than large breakage on a release upgrade.

  • Brkdncr@lemmy.world
    91·
    2 months ago

    All this is telling me is that 2025 probably won’t be Linux’ year of the desktop.