0 sats \ 5 replies \ @john_doe 10 Sep 2023 \ on: for my Linux folks: what distribution(s) do you recommend for a n00b??? tech
On the computer of my wife I have installed Archlinux and there is no problem so far.
More than the distribution, the most important for beginner is the environment. I have found Gnome-shell works better for them.
The rest is how easy is to install packages not included in the main repositories. And from this point of view Arch Linux has AUR packages, Ubuntu has PPAs.
Additionally even with gnome-shell I would advise you setup the file manager to use the single-click option like with KDE!
Sorry, I should have added the name of the distribution based on Archlinux I was referring to is Manjaro
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From experience, updating GRUB always breaks Arch or any Arch derivative to the point of necessitating OS reinstalling.
Use anything but GRUB for your bootloader if you decide to use Arch; if you decide to take the risk anyway, never fucking update GRUB.
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I have used Archlinux since 2014 non-stop and never had such problem, sorry. Almost 10 years without problem (besides the switch to Systemd from initd, but not related to GRUB).
So on the contrary I would recommend anyone using Arch or a derivative to always update GRUB and all packages in general without paying too much attention.
Do you use the word update in a different way than package update? If not I am sorry but I think you messed up something on your side.
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I alternated between using yay and standard pacman commands to update any AUR and non-AUR packages on Artix up and until the last update completely wiped my OS from my SSD.
GRUB on Arch/Artix has been nothing but terrible for me each time I've had to update it, hence my less than stellar opinions on it. Also doesn't help there are better, more modern bootloaders out there.
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According to the page of Artix, it is init based, not systemd. Hence Artix is different from the typical Archlinux distribution which is systemd based.
Anyway, good to know init based distro may not be stable. I recommend Manjaro because the OP is a beginner. Never had a problem with Archlinux besides the switch from init to systemd around 2016 (and thr problem I had was because of me not Archlinux, I was busy with work and blindly updated without reading the news). Installed Manjaro on the computer of my wife, friends, and mine I use for work, no issue at all.
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