5 Things to consider before picking your first linux distro
The Linux desktop environments (DEs) determine how the OS looks and feels and how you interact with it. The DE includes windows, icons, panels, menus, and any GUI you interact with when using the OS. Naturally, choosing the wrong DE will lead to a poor overall experience.
Not all Linux distros come with a DE preinstalled. Arch Linux and Debian lack both a DE and a GUI. You’ll need to set them up yourself. That’s why beginners should avoid these distros. Want to get to know some of the popular Linux DEs? Starting off, we have GNOME. It’s very popular but a huge departure from the conventional desktop experience seen on Windows or macOS. GNOME is super minimalistic with a heavy focus on virtual desktops for app management.
You can try Fedora for the vanilla GNOME experience.
Alternatively, you can use Ubuntu, where you get a customized GNOME experience supporting a dock and desktop icons to make it more user-friendly.
However, if you want something more familiar yet powerful, go with KDE Plasma. It’s highly customizable with tons of advanced settings and options.
By default, it looks like Windows. However, you can tweak it to resemble macOS—which is what Garuda Linux does.
That said, having so many options can be overwhelming—especially for those looking for a simpler OS. Cinnamon can be a great option here with its traditional Windows 7-ish layout and favorable balance between features and usability. It has a gentle learning curve to ensure you focus on using the OS instead of learning the OS. Linux Mint is the definitive way to experience Cinnamon.
Now, there are dozens of other DEs, but I recommend starting with either GNOME, KDE Plasma, or Cinnamon. One of these will likely meet your needs. As you get comfortable, you can explore other DEs.
[mai mult...]



