this post was submitted on 16 Oct 2025
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Linux
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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As a Linux noob, this is not as basic as you think it is. It's probably cool to show them "sudo apt install [program]" as a neat trick to dip their toes into the command line. All the other things you mentioned would scare me away if it was presented as beginner essential knowledge. I legit have no idea what you're talking about.
It's basic in the sense that Linux is always a work in progress and no matter how hard you try, you're going to need it at some point.
When your system randomly turns on to a black screen and there is seemingly no way to log in, knowing how to switch to the command line and at bare minimum back up your settings and documents before you wipe and start over is pretty key. To be clear, I have been in that exact situation and even more confusing situations where the PC has basically become unusable but I was able to fix it via CLI.
Just imagine losing months or years of work because you don't know that you can probably fix it all from command line and likely don't even need to wipe your computer and start over if you can narrow down what is going wrong and remove it via the command line.
I dunno seems pretty important to me.
True, first time I ran into catastrophic problems (caused by entering in commands I copied from online, knowing damn well it was a bad idea), I got annoyed having to fish out corrupted files and shit, but I realized that anytime something had gone wrong with Windows I had no tools to fix it and could only check in on a loading screen that lasts hours. It was a learning experience
For me personally, I would remember none of that if taught to me. I'm stubborn and handy enough to figure it out during an emergency. For the kind of noob OP is describing that benefits from a handheld on-ramp, they will probably never be able to do what you're describing.
I think a good compromise would be mentioning a few things that you can do in case of emergency so a more savvy person would know what to look for in an emergency. You don't have to teach them so much as tell them there is something they can do. If there's a fire, idk where the fire extinguisher is but I know there is one and I can go looking.
I'm in the minority who thinks Linux isn't for everyone and that people who approach computing from that standpoint should really stick with macOS or Windows. Linux gives you more freedom to be in control, but that freedom to be in control also demands more knowledge and involvement to be able to be in control. "With great power comes great responsibility" kind of thing.
For an analogy Windows is like being a passenger in a car with someone else driving, and Linux you're in the drivers seat of the car. You simply are required to be aware and involved in driving more because you are in control, and that control requires knowledge. You don't get to sit back and go "I don't need to know what all this stuff does because I don't want to." Understanding how the pedals and steering wheel work is a requirement for driving, as is paying attention to what is going on around you on the road. As a passenger, you aren't required to know or pay attention to as much because you're not being given the freedom of control, you're just along for the ride. Linux is giving you that freedom of control of being the driver, but you have to know a lot more to do it than you need to know just being a passenger (Windows).
I know everyone else thinks Linux is ready for the prime time and ready for regular users who don't want to have to learn and just want something that works... but I personally don't. Simply because Linux is a lot less guaranteed to "just work" than the other options.
TBH, I agree with you. However a lot of people's PCs are no longer supported with no practical way to change that. For those people that are trying Linux out timidly and reluctantly, I'm fine with a little handholding. I wouldn't recommend someone switch to Linux unless I knew they were a bit savvy. But if they're worried about going behind on security updates and can't afford a new PC, I will suggest their one option, even if I know it will be challenging at times.
Agreed on that, it's not the best solution, but for people who need access to computing and whose devices have aged out of other support, it's pretty much the only option available.