A newbie trying to install linux

[CaffeineAddict]

Don't forget that there is a big chance the person trying Linux has never installed any OS.

True, a good chunk of Windows users never reinstalled their OS and have no idea about installation procedure but to install Linux requires just that, to install OS.

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IMO just like Kali users are told "if you're asking you're not ready to use Kali" so are folks who ask how to install Linux not ready to use it just because they're asking.
If nothing else it's fair toward those who attempted to Install Kali but don't know the most basic stuff such as how to enter BIOS.

This may be hard statement but if you think about it for a minute you'll see it's true.

 

[Deleted member 204243]

... so are folks who ask how to install Linux not ready to use it just because they're asking.

I get what you mean and it's definitely true in case of Kali, but in case of Linux in general it sounds a bit like "you shouldn't go in the water until you know how to swim".

 

[bob466]

Mint Cinnamon 22.1 is very user friendly...just make sure you run the checksum before you install...that goes for all Distros.

 

[theLegionWithin]

I'd recommend trying several different distros before choosing one (boot to live environments). Fedora is popular (and looks nice) as is Mint. I used MX for about 2 months to learn the ropes before I started having some screwy networking issues and then tried 6 or 7 other distros before settling on Arch. there's tons of distros and new ones get created all of the time (go look at https://distrowatch.com/), so there's a lot of options.

get a 4pack of 16gb usb drives and then burn iso's onto them with balena etcher or rufus - then just go wild and find something you're happy with. you're not going to be limited by your hardware (though some games dont like linux so be aware of that).

 

[KGIII]

David you,I and several members have many years under our belts, it would be surprising if we could not install any distribution

While true, installing Fedora is pretty straightforward. It's just point and click. The only 'confusing' bit might be that you need a minimum of settings before it lets you do the installation.

Well, that and there are a zillion resources if you get stuck but I can't really imagine getting stuck. I suppose we could see if the missus can install it in a VM without a search engine or asking me anything.

 

[Alexzee]

Mint - yes, but Fedora? I don't think it's a good option for a newbie.

Mint and Ubuntu are the best options for beginners.

I don't recommend Fedora for a new user for Linux.
It took me several months to learn the Red Hat/Fedora commands to update Fedora and learn how to set up a server.

 

[dos2unix]

I don't recommend Fedora for a new user for Linux.
It took me several months to learn the Red Hat/Fedora commands to update Fedora and learn how to set up a server.

For many, they are easier than apt commands.
For example in Debian = sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y && sudo apt autoremove -y && sudo apt clean -y
In Fedora = dnf install -y
does all of that without all the extra typing, aliasing, etc...
As far as configuration after it's installed, what is different?

Does this look different in Mint somehow?
Fedora workstation actually has less clicks to install than Mint. The only question Fedora asks that Mint doesn't is the root password (which you can leave blank if you want to).

As for the install. Fedora doesn't ask about multi-media codecs. It doesn't ask about install type (not by default anyway).
It doesn't ask for timezone (it is auto-detected, but you can over-ride it). So it actually asks three less questions during the install.

It works with with secure boot, fast boot, UEFI/Legacy BIOS whatever you have already setup works. I don't don't have to mess with the BIOS and disable things. If they are already disabled, it still works.

 

[Alexzee]

For many, they are easier than apt commands.
As far as configuration after it's installed, what is different?

View attachment 25322

Does this look different in Mint somehow?
Fedora workstation actually has less clicks to install than Mint. The only question Fedora asks that Mint doesn't is the root password (which you can leave blank if you want to).

It may look different in Mint I'm not sure as I'm not running Mint now.

 

[osprey]

For many, they are easier than apt commands.
For example in Debian = sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y && sudo apt autoremove -y && sudo apt clean -y
In Fedora = dnf install -y


.

It wasn't clear what "&amp" was in the proposed debian commands so I had to search online. Evidently they are html codes explained a little here: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/23013352/how-to-use-amp-gt-commands-in-linux-shell

Since they aren't shell commands, they needn't be included in the command line examples given in post #27.

On dnf versus apt, it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other for me

 

[dos2unix]

dnf versus apt, it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other for me

Don't get me wrong. I like Mint. I'm running a VM right now. I don't think I've ever said anything bad about it.
The only point I'm trying to make here is... Fedora isn't inherently harder to install or use than Mint.

 

[osprey]

Don't get me wrong. I like Mint. I'm running a VM right now. I don't think I've ever said anything bad about it.
The only point I'm trying to make here is... Fedora isn't inherently harder to install or use than Mint.

I agree. I think they both make similar demands upon the user despite the minor differences in detail. Ultimately I think these things depend on the user and what they bring to the task in the first place.

 

[Brickwizard]

If you speak one of the main Language of the EU then I find DeepL a far better translator

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[Alexzee]

Don't get me wrong. I like Mint. I'm running a VM right now. I don't think I've ever said anything bad about it.
The only point I'm trying to make here is... Fedora isn't inherently harder to install or use than Mint.

Agreed:-