Quit Recommending 'Stable' Distros To New Users (#shorts)

For decades, when a new-to-Linux user asked "what distro should I use?", the standard answer was usually Ubuntu LTS, Mint or some other "static release" distro. Rolling release distros were generally not recommended because they were considered "unstable." But I think these days, we are past that point.

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[lowrider]

I am 60 years old and a die hard Linux user since 1998 and i will never ever install a rolling distro like arch (even the easyer ones like manjaro) on a machine from people my age coming from windows. They don't want to learn a new OS, they just want to browse the web, watch pics and listen to music, check some mails and maybe some video chat with the family. Oh and they also don't like to throw a 5 year old notebook in the bin cause it can't handle the latest Windows anymore. Ubuntu LTS/ Mint/ MX is still my troublefree choice for them.

[linuxlounge]

I think as long time Linux users we tend to forget all too easily what it’s like to be a new Linux user, Arch based distros generally all require some amount of Linux knowledge, realistically the best thing we can be giving new users is something that just works like Linux Mint, then they can graduate up to a rolling release distro if they wish

[hughdahand]

I will not be recommending anything Arch based to new users, because I will be the one they call when their sound stops working because they need to merge a pacnew file.

[picclejar]

recommending rolling release distros to beginners isn't really a good idea. All those updates have a chance of making their lives inconvenient or at worst, make their machine unusable. At least with stable distros the chances of that are minimized since there aren't as many updates. so i'd personally keep recommending stable distros to new users.

[joaopedroalbernaz]

☝That is why so many new users give up on Linux after only a few days. Terribly bad idea, Mint is already bleeding edge enough for them. They need something that works while they are on the learning process of the basics of the very basics. It's like teaching someone how to drive on a car that is constantly broken and the inexperienced driver that barely knows how to even drive, has to fix on his own.

[akanar_]

I tried Garuda for a while... till things started breaking and I had to roll back. Wait for updates from the devs that would "get to it when they can". I don't have time for that crap. Sticking with Pop OS. I can use that without having to constantly fiddle with things to keep them working.

[chuanqisun]

DT can you expand on the "why" in a longer video? I'm genuinely curious about what factors led to the recommendation and what tradeoffs a new user should watch out for when they make such a decision.

[夕阳-nh]

This is actually a bad idea. Distrotube is a hobbyist, but he forgets most people just wanna get their work done with minimal effort. They can't afford to stop their work till they troubleshoot why grub isn't working.

[NateisJung]

I installed my first Linux distro last week. I chose Pop OS (because Linus Tech Tips). After youtube-ing (I think that's the right term) around, I found that I liked the customization of KDE Plasma quite a bit. So I installed that on Pop OS, but updates appeared to be broken in the pop shop. So last night I backed everything up with a Timeshift backup and then installed Manjaro with KDE Plasma. I am really excited to go home and start setting up my desktop exactly how I want it!

[geraltofrivia__w.w.]

whoa whoa Arch Linux to new users ?? Damn that's like throwing someone that doesn't know how to swim in the middle of the ocean.

[aniketfuryrocks]

I think "fedora" is the best distro. It is stable, gets rolling like updates. Stays on the latest version. Stability of Debian, cutting edge of arch. Moreover, it gives the best one-click hardware driver support. If you want a daily driver, fedora is the way to go.

[Bloodlvst]

Fedora is definitely not a "stable" distro in the traditional sense.

I've switched from Arch to Fedora, and I still get very regular updates.

[Lestibournes]

Regular users need and expect something that just works with 0 fiddling. We're not regular users, but we should respect the needs of others. Most people are not tech enthusiasts and don't need to be. As fun as tech is for us, it's not the only fun thing and isn't so important.

[nelsonhernandez]

disagree. If a new linux user wants an easy and simple experience, I'll recommend Ubuntu/Mint. Rolling releases are just throwing a wrench in their learning process.
If they want to try Ubuntu or another "easy" distro, let them CHOOSE by themselves.
If they want to ignore your advice and go for a rolling release distro as their first choice, let them CHOOSE by themselves.

If they tell you "hey I want an easy and stable distro", pointing Arch at them will only make them go back to Windows.

[louchitchat]

personally I'll keep recommending stable distros to new users.

[druka-grey]

These are my thoughts. I've been using Arch for several years now on various desktops, laptops and servers and I can tell you that a rolling release distro will more likely going to make newcomers running away as they will encounter bugs after bugs, from stupid things like not being able to open their desktop icons, for instance (that's broken on latest plasma on Arch) to more severe hardware related issues that will prevent them to use their system.

[jamesba-xdxf]

I disagree strongly!. I have been using linux for 6 years now, I have tried 9-10 different distros. ONLY ubuntu and linux mint worked flawlessly on 6 different machines. ALL other distros had huge problems....no sound, no wi fi, not able to install google chrome, unable to install other programs, etc. . MOST people want to actually use their machines to do stuff, NOT to spend days and weeks trying to get their distro to work properly. this is what gives linux a bad name....people getting into a distro where things dont work THEN they say " linux is crap". put them on linux mint or ubuntu where everything works THEN they say " linux is great, Im done with windows!", thats what I did. IMO distros other than ubuntu and linux mint are CRAP . again, my idea of heaven is NOT to spend 100's of hours trying to get a distro to work right .

[boyscout]

Been on manjaro on everything for about 3 years now. Never had an issue that wasn't easily solvable. My non tech inclined wife runs her business on a manjaro laptop and even she can type yay into the terminal

[NullPointer]

"How to decrease the linux user base even further with one simple trick"

[DevDungeon]

I am immediately picturing a beginner banging their head on their desk trying to troubleshoot. I am an experienced Linux user and even I prefer "stable" distros for the... stability.