[SOLVED] Suggesting a new Picking a Distro sticky for Newbie Forum

Originally Posted by hazel Here's an edited version as an html attachment. I've changed a lot of the punctuation (too much capitalisation in the original!) and added or re-worded the odd sentence.

Many thanks the smallest changes make the biggest difference(updated draft).

P.S. Does anybody know of a good title? Maybe somthing like "Are You a Linux Newbie Looking For a Disto: Please Read"? This is also a very important part of the sticky.

Well, really in the end it's gonna be up to you, but if ya want my suggestion FWIW;

"New to Linux and don't know which Linux distribution is for you?"

"Looking for a Linux distribution?"

But once again, it's really up to you...

Originally Posted by jsbjsb001 Well, really in the end it's gonna be up to you, but if ya want my suggestion FWIW; "New to Linux and don't know which Linux distribution is for you?" "Looking for a Linux distribution?" But once again, it's really up to you...

Thanks I'll come up with something.

"Newbies - How to choose a Linux distro"

First off, very good work!

I think there's merit to cross linking to the sticky which discusses the alternatives to XP, while noting that it is a few years old, in the further reading section.

https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...xp-4175502495/

You talk about the size of the distribution and the capabilities of the hardware, but I do not see any discussion about the age of the hardware. Yes the concepts are similar, however a very common thing people try to do as newbies is to resurrect a very old piece of hardware, mainly because they've heard all about Linux being capable to do this. I think there are some distributions specifically geared a lot towards older hardware. I may be off base there.

You talk about desktop environment, but not about command line. Many people start right out of the gate looking to create a server. They are IT people already, or wish to be, and they wish to start doing Linux servers. That's not a crime, some of them make their way OK, some are very far from the knowledge level required, or effort level required to get very far. A point is whether or not they need to have any desktop environment and if they are ready for that. An extended point is people who install server versions and then try to install a desktop environment. It at least would be a detail to advise people about, that there are server forms of distributions and desktop distributions.

Two paragraphs after 4. Release Model, you're done with that sub-topic. You continue back on the general flow of the whole post. Perhaps a bold paragraph heading there, "Next Steps" or some terms similar to let the reader know you are now wrapping it up, or at least have changed from the release model topic.

I don't really care, but recommend you remove Google as the recommended search. It is not the only search engine. Yes, I use Google nearly all the time. But commonly I do recommend "web search" as opposed to really telling someone to Google.

Another "on the fence" sub-topic for me would be whether or not you talk about the concept of a "popular" distribution. Clearly I can cite Kali at that, and we have a sticky about that. RHEL is yet another that we get tons of new people who have grabbed some unofficial copy of it and start playing, then asking questions. My on the fence thinking here is that I also see many new users who are using a distribution because their relative uses it and recommended it, or they saw the name and tried it, hence Kali, RHEL, or Ubuntu even. Not that Ubuntu would be a bad newbie choice, just that the name is well enough known that new persons may have heard of it. The thinking here is, "If you're choosing a distribution because your friend or relative touts that distribution so very much, you can consider it, but you should first find out if that recommending person is willing to work with you and help you with questions as you get started.", or "If you're picking a distribution just because you've heard about it, this is potentially a bad idea until you know more about what it can or cannot do for you."

Thanks I guess I didn't even think about terminal, but I see your point, some newbies are absolutely frightened by the very thought of messing with one, while others are wanting to know what it'll do.

server vs desktop is another thing I overlooked( looking back I see @ondoho did mention it ) I'll see if I can tackle that as well.

I should be able to expand size to include age.

Thanks again.

I think the first prerequisite for a newbie distribution is that it is easy to install and it reboots to Linux after installing. The 2nd is that they can start a desktop environment out of the box. The third is that they can get on the internet.

When I take a look at the Newbie forum I can't help but see that the first prerequisite fails for some users. They shouldn't have to worry about linux not booting from EFI. A newbie shouldn't have to contend with this since they don't have the knowledge to even know how to attempt fixing it.

This should not be occurring on a newbie distribution: https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...ok-4175616648/

I don't know if its just Linux Mint on these computers or if nothing would boot on them but I do see this as a reoccurring topic in the Newbie forum. I think they need to be encouraged to try another if the first distribution they tried doesn't boot. One is bound to work.. hopefully!

Originally Posted by Mill J Hello: If you’re new to Linux and you’re wondering which of the many versions of Linux is "The Best", here are some suggestions to help you pick the best one for you. ...

I suggest maybe changing the above to something like the following:

""
"Preamble" or "Introduction"

The purpose of this sticky is to help and guide you on your Linux journey, it is not intended to be a complete guide to Linux or all distributions of Linux. The best Linux distribution for you is the one that satisfies the following factors explained below, your personal and situational requirements, as well by extension, yourself.""

Below are some options you might want to consider: Note: The next six sections do not cover all the dimensions of Linux Distros, and are not meant to replace your own research, but rather to give you some preliminary ideas. ... 3: Desktop Enviroments(DE) The Desktop Enviroment is the graphical part of the system, probably the most important part for a beginner. As with the Distros, they range from Heavy(Kde, Cinnamon, Gnome, etc) to Lightweight Window Managers (Fluxbox, Openbox, JWM, etc). The "Heavy" DEs have many features and generally have a smooth modern interface. The "Light" DEs are still very customizable(though you sometimes have to configure them by hand), but without all the animation, they run much faster. There are many choices, but we can narrow this list down with a web search, for example "Best Linux Desktop Environments 2018". Watching videos describing describing the features of a DE is a good way to see what it is capable of doing, but even then you’ll likely have to install several different DEs before finding your favorite. Remember that if you don't like a DE, you can always tweak it or replace it until you do. In Linux there is never any need to settle for less then the "Best" for you. 4: Terminal/Command-Line While it is not essential to learn the terminal to use Linux(It is necessary for most server distros) , sooner or later you’ll have to face the often dreaded command-line. But don’t worry, the terminal is easy to use and very powerful. Showing you how to use the terminal is beyond the scope of this post, but a web search, for example “Linux Terminal” or “Linux Terminal Tutorial” will bring up many references and step by step tutorials for learning the Linux Terminal. The Shell and Terminal Emulators are not the most important choices you will make, and often the distro’s default is good enough for most people. But if it is not, you still have plenty of choices.

3: Desktop Enviroments(DE)

Given that the graphical environment isn't technically a part of the underlining OS, it's probably not a particularly good idea to imply that it is to the

Maybe something like: "While the graphical environment in Linux is not technically a part of the operating system, it's something that is usually included in desktop Linux and very important for the beginner."

4: Terminal/Command-Line

While and particularly if your new to Linux, you hope you don't have to visit the command-line; I don't think it's a good idea to discourage people new to Linux, to learn the command-line. There also maybe times where the OP may have to use it. And it's a chance to make the command-line that little less intimidating to the .

A couple of your links to Wikipedia under the "4: Terminal/Command-Line" section are to it's mobile site, not good if your not using your mobile.

I would also suggest you get the reader thinking earlier on in the sticky to begin with, by moving both the "Things to avoid" and "Some more steps" sections up and introducing them much sooner to the reader. I guess you can call it something like "dispelling" the myths first and "getting them out of the way", it has the benefit of the reader being able to focus better on your message, that your trying to get across to them.

Maybe in your "Further Reading" section, other than the section title, don't have spaces between your links.

I know a lot of what I've said is probably just nit picking, but like I said before... you want it to look professional (not once again saying it doesn't) and more to the point, want people to take it seriously - and read it.

Great work Mill J!

Reading through the above a, admitedly skimming, I'm coming to the conclusion that what I would suggest is a thread about how to answer in order to start finding out which the best distro is for the use case.
Almost like a questionnaire, asking things like "How old is the hardware", "What do you actually want from Linux?" and similar. To me the issue isn't that people are asking for "the best" it's that thjey don't specify what at. There is no best there are just better for a purpose and I think each individual's replies could then be read by members and replied to stating how any given distro fits the mold -- then the newby can install a few and see what they prefer and, if necessary, come back and ask for more advice.
Finding your distro is an itterative process and takes a while.

Originally Posted by RadicalDreamer I think the first prerequisite for a newbie distribution is that it is easy to install and it reboots to Linux after installing.

Is this possible with any distro on UEFI? I ask because I boot only in legacy for my PCs apart from onbe laptop where I somewhat manually partitioned it in order to boot Debian.

I forgot to mention before that you should also have a space between the section title(s) and the content immediately below it. Not to just nit pick once again... it just looks cleaner, that's all.

I was also thinking more about your "Further Reading" section and come up with some ideas for ya to think about:

Originally Posted by Mill J 50 Open-Source Alternatives to Windows XP is several years old but still relevant today. Linux is not Windows DistroWatch is a website for finding and staying upto date on different Linux Distros. Alternativeto.net Is a great site for finding alternatives for your software. Linux App Finder is great for discovering new apps.

Maybe instead of that, something like the following;

Note: At least a few of the "command-line guides" links following, you can probably trim and take your pick of, there might be one or two that are a little dated. But most (if not all) of the info in them should still apply to Linux today, as much as it did before.

Originally Posted by Suggested Content for the "Further Reading" section 50 Open-Source Alternatives to Windows XP is several years old but still relevant today. DistroWatch is a website for finding and staying upto date on different Linux Distros. Linux kernel Linux App Finder is great for discovering new apps. Alternativeto.net Is a great site for finding alternatives for your software. https://www.digitalocean.com/communi...ted-with-linux https://diyhacking.com/linux-commands-for-beginners/ http://www.linuxandubuntu.com/home/1...hould-remember https://www.pcsteps.com/5010-basic-l...ands-terminal/ Linux is not Windows

Something like the above. You may even be able to use some of those "command-line guides" links in other parts of your sticky, eg. "Terminal/Command-line" section of the sticky, for example.

@jsbjsb001 First off thanks for those ideas I havent modified everything to where i want it, but i'm getting there.

Originally Posted by jsbjsb001 4: Terminal/Command-Line While and particularly if your new to Linux, you hope you don't have to visit the command-line; I don't think it's a good idea to discourage people new to Linux, to learn the command-line. There also maybe times where the OP may have to use it. And it's a chance to make the command-line that little less intimidating to the .

lol i wasn't trying to discourage learning the term....i reworded it a little to (hopefully) make more sense, i'll add some links yet. BTW thanks for the heads up on the mobile links . and the further reading links are a great idea.

@273

Originally Posted by 273 Reading through the above a, admitedly skimming, I'm coming to the conclusion that what I would suggest is a thread about how to answer in order to start finding out which the best distro is for the use case. Almost like a questionnaire, asking things like "How old is the hardware", "What do you actually want from Linux?" and similar. To me the issue isn't that people are asking for "the best" it's that thjey don't specify what at. There is no best there are just better for a purpose and I think each individual's replies could then be read by members and replied to stating how any given distro fits the mold -- then the newby can install a few and see what they prefer and, if necessary, come back and ask for more advice. Finding your distro is an itterative process and takes a while.

I do have a question section in the post( might need improving ). Hopefuly the final post will help newbies help themself.

Originally Posted by 273 Is this possible with any distro on UEFI? I ask because I boot only in legacy for my PCs apart from onbe laptop where I somewhat manually partitioned it in order to boot Debian.

Elilo worked for me. The Slackware 14.2 installer picked up EFI and told me to use Elilo. I installed, rebooted and had Slackware. I then had to figure out how to dual boot and decided to use rEFInd (which picks up all the operating systems using EFI). This was on 3 year old hardware at the time Slackware 14.2 was introduced. Outside of Raspbian with Noobs and an Android phone I haven't used any other Linux distribution other than Slackware in recent years and that is the only PC which has EFI that I have. I'm not a newbie but I would trying something else if the OS didn't boot on 3 year old hardware.

Well I've polished up the draft a little more. Hopefully things make more sense now. My question now is, does it look done?

This project has turned out to be bigger then I ever dreamed (I love the challenge though ) My only hope is that it helps someone help themself.

Thanks

Mill J

Personally, it's almost done, but I'd still say to change "Hello" in the intro there to "Preamble" or "Introduction". As you want it to come across as a serious document for people to read and try and decide which distro they might start using Linux with.

I would also change "3: Desktop Enviroments(DE)" to "Graphical Environments" - and I just noticed "Environments" is spelt wrong in your current draft. As a desktop environment is not the same as a window manager. And more to the point: your trying to explain and get the reader to understand the differences between them.

I know it's probably just nit picking, but it's just to make it look more professional, that's all.

And great work once again.

It looks good but I think there should be something about UEFI, MBR, and age of hardware in choosing a Linux distribution. What are your choices if you have a new system within 6 months? What does a newbie use if they have UEFI? Any distribution hoppers have an opinion on newbie friendly distributions that handle UEFI well after install without extra steps?