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KDE is the closest to windows. Start with Chakra[1] or KaOS [2] if you want it to "just work" (both are Arch-based). If you want to tinker, go Manjaro KDE. If

KDE is the closest to windows. Start with Chakra[1] or KaOS [2] if you want it to "just work" (both are Arch-based). If you want to tinker, go Manjaro KDE. If you want to have to earn back every single piece of hardware in your computer, and end up becoming a Linux superhero when you're done, install Gentoo. If you're concerned about privacy or rights, avoid Ubuntu and Redhat distros, as they have a history of exploiting both users and the free software licenses they purport to honor. The most software-compatible is Debian, but games/steamOS run on all x86-based distributions. 1. http://chakraos.org/ http://chakraos.org/ 2. http://kaosx.us/ http://kaosx.us/

thaumaturgy 11y ago
I ran Chakra for a while -- although it's been a few years -- and wouldn't recommend them to people looking to switch from Windows. Unfortunately they weren't careful enough with their rolling updates and they would intermittently break installed applications, including at one point smb. So one day I could connect to Windows shares, the next day I couldn't.
- anonbanker 11y ago
  If it's been more than a year since you've used a distribution, your opinion, positive or negative, is likely innacurate. The Linux community iterates at an order of magnitude faster then the windows or Mac ecosystem. The Chakra of today is far smoother than the ones a few years back.
  - thaumaturgy 11y ago
    True. I wasn't clear, but it was more a criticism of the project's management, which iterates far more slowly. But still, that's why I mentioned it had been a few years -- so anybody could dismiss my experience as they wished. fwiw though I took a quick look at their -stable forums (http://chakraos.org/forum/viewforum.php?id=32 http://chakraos.org/forum/viewforum.php?id=32) and there are several recent threads related to updates breaking things. I realize that will to some extent be a problem on any platform, but it seems disproportional on Chakra. And in any case, that probably makes it a poor recommendation for Linux novices switching from Windows.
    - anonbanker 11y ago
      fair enough. then switch to KaOS. :)
Zardoz84 11y ago
Or Kubuntu if you like to get help from then now abundant Ubuntu/Debian "how to" stuff on internet. Also, avoid the problem of "privacity" with normal Ubuntu, as not use Canonical desktop stuff.
- anonbanker 11y ago
  If you read up on Jonathan Riddell's (and the FSF and SFLC's) spat with the Ubuntu Community Council [1], you wouldn't touch Kubuntu with a 10-foot pole. 1. https://lwn.net/Articles/645973/ https://lwn.net/Articles/645973/

thaumaturgy 11y ago

I ran Chakra for a while -- although it's been a few years -- and wouldn't recommend them to people looking to switch from Windows. Unfortunately they weren't careful enough with their rolling updates and they would intermittently break installed applications, including at one point smb. So one day I could connect to Windows shares, the next day I couldn't.

anonbanker 11y ago
If it's been more than a year since you've used a distribution, your opinion, positive or negative, is likely innacurate. The Linux community iterates at an order of magnitude faster then the windows or Mac ecosystem. The Chakra of today is far smoother than the ones a few years back.
- thaumaturgy 11y ago
  True. I wasn't clear, but it was more a criticism of the project's management, which iterates far more slowly. But still, that's why I mentioned it had been a few years -- so anybody could dismiss my experience as they wished. fwiw though I took a quick look at their -stable forums (http://chakraos.org/forum/viewforum.php?id=32 http://chakraos.org/forum/viewforum.php?id=32) and there are several recent threads related to updates breaking things. I realize that will to some extent be a problem on any platform, but it seems disproportional on Chakra. And in any case, that probably makes it a poor recommendation for Linux novices switching from Windows.
  - anonbanker 11y ago
    fair enough. then switch to KaOS. :)

Zardoz84 11y ago

Or Kubuntu if you like to get help from then now abundant Ubuntu/Debian "how to" stuff on internet. Also, avoid the problem of "privacity" with normal Ubuntu, as not use Canonical desktop stuff.

anonbanker 11y ago
If you read up on Jonathan Riddell's (and the FSF and SFLC's) spat with the Ubuntu Community Council [1], you wouldn't touch Kubuntu with a 10-foot pole. 1. https://lwn.net/Articles/645973/ https://lwn.net/Articles/645973/