this post was submitted on 05 Nov 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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What distros do you install on your mom's, sister's, buddy's, etc machines?

My go-to has usually been Mint, but I wonder if there is a better set and forget, easily understood distro to install on the computers of those who will rely on you for support.

atomic distros would probably be a good option, but it seems that same disk dual boot is a no no, and that can be a deal breaker.

I'm thinlink QoL, for me, that is.

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[–] monovergent@lemmy.ml 6 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago)

Mint is a very good option for this purpose. In my case, it's Debian, but with a much more involved process.

The only ones who ask me to help with installing Linux are either very close friends or people in my family with whom I spend more time, and they tend to be curious about the exact setup that I'm using. I just so happen to have a fully-configured system image in a VM that I duplicate onto my machines, so I work with my friend or family to figure out what they need and how they want it to look, then I clone that VM, customize it to taste, and let them try it out. If they like it, I image it to their machine, make sure it's bootable, work out any machine-specific issues, set a new password and encryption key, and make sure that unattended-upgrades is working.

Everyone else just asks me to help install Windows. I have a penchant for LTSC, with an obligatory trick up my sleeve.