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Best Linux Distro Privacy/Usability for a mid level user

Best Linux Distro Privacy/Usability for a mid level user

What do you think is the best linux distro for a user who wants to migrate from windows in terms of privacy, usability and respect for the FOSS spirit?

I'm thinking to give a chance to #ElementaryOS https://elementary.io

#Linux #Privacy #FOSS @privacy @linux

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  • Please don't. ElementaryOS is bad for new user this days. Try Fedora Workstation edition or Plasma spin, Linux Mint.

    • @FarLine99 @privacy
      what's the problem with elementary for new users?

      • It is buggy. Really old packages. Non enabled deb installation in Software Store. Non wayland support which is definetly the future.

      • @carloshr @FarLine99 @privacy

        #Elementary has a very opinionated design and includes some defaults that would be desireable for pretty much absolutely nobody - the most prominent of them being that it only lists apps from its own store, which is almost empty, and then gives warnings to users to try and discourage them from going to a place like FlatHub for the software that they will no doubt need. There is a tone about the OS in its design and especially its language in dialogs that may make people feel like they are the ones who are "wrong" if they do not wish to stick with these defaults - I think that's what really rubs so many people the wrong way, and a brand-new user that doesn't know much about Linux would just be completely lost.

        It also has no direct upgrade paths for major new versions, and they do their own apps and DE which is great, but they are also under-resourced and so the experience can be a bit glitchy sometimes.

        You mention being a mid-level user though, so I think you'd be fine with it, if you like the look of it. In terms of privacy, usability and respect for the FOSS spirit, I think Elementary and its Pantheon desktop environment is fantastic, and I believe it's actually worth trying to adapt to its way of doing things. I use it and love it.

        For someone brand new to Linux that just wants to get up and running quickly and get work done, I'd highly recommend #ZorinOS instead. It's very much a counter-point in philosophy to Elementary OS and gives a vibe of: "You do things however you're used to, I just want to make it as easy for you as possible."

46 comments