Post AWjZeI1vANY5EeEAYC by wrongthink@cdrom.tokyo
(DIR) More posts by wrongthink@cdrom.tokyo
(DIR) Post #AWiDeGJ3BOuRjurSls by piezoelectron@sopuli.xyz
2023-06-14T19:17:13.005970+00:00
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I'm trying to set up a Linux laptop for a friend who lives in another city. They have only ever used Windows, and likely won't have easy access to fix issues (not that I'm an expert).First off, is it a good idea to give them a Linux PC at all? Have others had good/bad experiences giving technophobes Linux?Secondly, if I go ahead with it, what's a good, stable, "safe" OS for a beginner? I'm shy of anything that's a rolling release (e.g. Arch, Manjaro etc) as "bleeding edge" can break things more often than not. I'm leaning towards Debian or something Debian based. But I've also heard good things about Fedora.If I was the one using the PC, I'd have installed Fedora, as I've heard it's well-maintained. Then again there's been some good buzz about Debian 12. What would your advice be? Thanks!
(DIR) Post #AWiDeH4YKmuI7F5OoS by cthulhu@emacs.ch
2023-06-15T10:10:13Z
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@piezoelectron For academic use, #debian12 with the default #gnome desktop. Make sure to install #flatpak, then you can grab the latest #libreoffice and #firefox. If #debian is good enough for use on the #ISS it should be fine for your friends use case.FWIW, #debian12 is now my daily driver 🖖
(DIR) Post #AWiEfMdBFlSBbCMmGm by Suiseiseki@freesoftwareextremist.com
2023-06-15T10:21:34.474964Z
1 likes, 0 repeats
@piezoelectron It's a bad idea to give someone a "Linux PC", as that'll just panic() on boot.You should be glad to give freedom to someone by giving them a GNU/Linux PC.Trisquel: https://trisquel.info/ is an excellent choice as it's easy to use, note that some hardware will refuse to work (although that's usually only really 802.11ac Wi-Fi cards and decent external or internal 802.11n ones are rather cheap).
(DIR) Post #AWiJWzR46oZN77WfEe by sallyNULL@gleasonator.com
2023-06-15T11:08:11.659784Z
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@Suiseiseki @piezoelectron > (although that's usually only really 802.11ac Wi-Fi cards and decent external or internal 802.11n ones are rather cheap)And any discrete GPU will also give trouble, specially newer AMD and Nvidia ones.
(DIR) Post #AWiJX0K0oWWPrXEXse by Suiseiseki@freesoftwareextremist.com
2023-06-15T11:16:03.349504Z
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@sallyNULL @piezoelectron Depends really.I found Trisquel works fine with even a card as new as the gtx 970 thanks to Nouveau, although the card is stuck at idle clocks as the fans refuse to spin without proprietary software that is cryptographically signed to prevent its replacement.Even newer AMD ones should work with a native resolution, but you won't get 3D acceleration nor suspend.Integrated Intel still works just fine.
(DIR) Post #AWiQq7GptzLmawoBiS by stargazersmith@social.linux.pizza
2023-06-15T12:38:01Z
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@cthulhu @piezoelectron I use the debian flavor of puppy Linux, which for me is the best of both worlds.
(DIR) Post #AWjZeI1vANY5EeEAYC by wrongthink@cdrom.tokyo
2023-06-16T01:52:08.380739Z
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@piezoelectron First off, is it a good idea to give them a Linux PC at all? Have others had good/bad experiences giving technophobes Linux?Hi. I wrote a bit on the subjecttl;dr: Don’t do it unless they specifically approach you about it and appear outwardly excited over the idea.
(DIR) Post #AWkSBNXv4cq7QMQCRs by soupuos@sopuli.xyz
2023-06-16T02:41:10.205399+00:00
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Is it possible the rough edges of Trisquel would turn OP's friend off of Linux as a whole?
(DIR) Post #AWkSBOXFObtcUZ7B2W by Suiseiseki@freesoftwareextremist.com
2023-06-16T12:02:25.224205Z
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@soupuos What rough edges?Some hardware and proprietary software are designed maliciously with sharp blades to cut the user, but that's nothing to do with Trisquel.It would be good if people were to be turned off from the proprietary software kernel known as Linux and got to know GNU Linux-libre and/or Hurd instead.
(DIR) Post #AWkYhv1Cl7xMEE1Ei8 by soupuos@sopuli.xyz
2023-06-16T12:58:04.783899+00:00
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I completely agree. But most people don't see how significant free software is (e.g., OP's friend is using Windows). If a libre system means a worse experience for the user, many won't care enough to stick with it.Linux with proprietary software is at least a step in the right direction; I agree that it's not the final destination though.
(DIR) Post #AWkYhveCQ99GBAGNUW by Suiseiseki@freesoftwareextremist.com
2023-06-16T13:15:32.352649Z
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@soupuos >most people don't see how significant free software isIndeed.>If a libre system means a worse experience for the user, many won't care enough to stick with it.A libre system that respects the user is always a better experience for the user, although some inconveniences may exist (which are fixable with effort). It's a real shame if people give up on freedom over a slight difficulty, but there's nothing I can do about that really.>Linux with proprietary software is at least a step in the right direction; I agree that it's not the final destination though.Maybe, but if only a single step is ever taken in the right direction, has more than a trivial gain been realized?