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I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you’re referring to as Linux, is in fact, GNU/Linux, or as I’ve recently taken to calling it, GNU plus Linux. Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning GNU system made useful by the GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX. Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called “Linux”, and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project. There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use. Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine’s resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called “Linux” distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux. -rms

Linux

Linux is cool and good.

Should I use Linux?

Folks should use it if they care about privacy. It's good for people who have very basic needs or who want to make computing their hobby. For most folks who don't want to spend one godforesaken minute troubleshooting their operating system, and have a few more advanced needs out of computing, it is a fucking awful choice. If everything you do on a computer is inside of a web browser Linux is likely a good choice for you. If you like to tinker with your computer, configure and customize your computing environment, run servers, maximize the productivity1) of your workflow, and don't mind a learning curve Linux is also for you. For power users it's the better choice, by far.

If the two catagories above do not sound like you you should not use Linux. Use Windows or Mac and deal with the mockery of Militant Linux Extremists2)

Distributions

Archᵇᵗʷ

The preferred Operating System for the Nurodivergent since 2002

EndevorOS

The best distribution is the one I use. This is why Endevor is the best. It's mostly arch, but contains the minimum amount of software out of the box to meet most users needs. It contains a web browser, the desktop environment, a way to open pictures and videos, along with a graphical way to browse the file system, and not much else.

Debian

One of the old lads that many other Distros are based on. Generally it's LTS versions are quite stable and well tested. Has minimal amount of software included. Because it's stable, well tested, well supported, and receives few updates it makes for a solid server OS. It's packages can be pretty out of date, so as a desktop distro it's not recomended for all users. If you mostly just browse the web and watch anime it's fine, if you're going to use your OS for gaming, programming, sysadmining I'd pick something else.

sid

This is Debian's unstable branch, sid. According to Linux Mom, VKC/Veronica Explains, it's p good for desktop use. She's an oldschool sysadmin/dev (COBOL, mainframes, linux, etc.) and apparently meets her desktop needs well. Have never used.

Ubuntu

Once https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2020/01/ubuntu-removes-the-amazon-web-app, which should tell you want you need to know about Canonical as an org. Used to be the preferred user-friendly ezpz babies first desktop linux distro. Canonical has ignored it and it's quality and reliability as a desktop OS has waned. Is fine as a server OS imo, but there's better options.

PopOS!

babies first ezpz linux distro. If you don't care you should use this

Red Hat

Rocky
Fedora
1)
by this I mean wasting time spending hours to shave seconds off of the time it takes to do mundane tasks
2)
me