When they gave me a hard time for using "a kiddie distro" (Linux Mint), but said it was okay "until you are ready." Ready for what?
Heh.
If I'm honest, I've had folks 'taking the mick' out of me on various fora & communities for the last 12 years or more.
Ever since I started using 'Puppy' Linux, in fact.
Because I happen to think 'Puppy' - and the 'frugal' concept in general - is one of the best things to come out of the greater Linux community (and Barry's implementation in particular!), I promote Puppy a fair bit outside of our wee community.
'Puppy' IS well-known, certainly. There can't be too many Linux users that haven't heard of it at some point. Unfortunately, the general perception is that Puppy is just a 'rescue disk' for
other OSs......which couldn't be more wrong.
The versatility is astonishing. (Barry's choice of the ROX-filer/JWM combo as a lightweight DE equivalent was quite inspired, and makes customization a breeze. It really does!)
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However, I know from experience that, to really get the best out of 'our Pup', a fair degree of manual tinkering
can be required. This suits me - I'm a 'tinkerer' by nature! - but I'm also wise enough to understand that the majority of 'noobs' want summat they can install, boot into and just 'use', OOTB.
Hence why I always recommend that beginners start off with a mainstream distro.....get the hang of how modern, current Linux does things.....and become comfortable with that. Once they're in that position, IF they still want to give 'Puppy' a look-see, they're then far better-placed to do so.
Should they find they
like Puppy, and want to explore the Puppy universe further, that's great. If, however, they don't like its unique 'take' on things - and dislike the 'old-hat' appearance and somewhat stripped-back nature compared to what they've become used to - they can simply revert to what they already know and have become familiar with.
No harm, no foul.
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I'm one of the biggest fans of Puppy, and other unusual, slightly 'off-the-wall' OSs you'll find anywhere. But I also possess enough 'nous' to realise that what 'works' for ME isn't necessarily anybody else's 'cup o' tea'.
As I've stated on multiple prior occasions, this is NOT me coming across as 'elitist'. Far from it. I'm simply being pragmatic. I must be one of the very few Linux users that doesn't attempt to push their favourite distro down everybody else's throats at EVERY opportunity.
Thus, the apparent dichotomy between my own personal preference and what I recommend to others, if & when asked.
Mike.
(i need to focus on being very clear in what i say sorry about that lol)
