this post was submitted on 04 Jun 2025
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Hello, I got almost for free a Lenovo laptop: CPU Intel i3 8130, 4Gb RAM. I would like to use It to learn Linux. I saw some people using Arch to learn the inside out of Linux, but I'm afraid It could be to challenging. What do you suggest? What Is the best way to learn? Thank you. Edit: First of all I thank you all for your suggestions, I think that this is what makes this community special. I installed Fedora Xfce for now and I worked all evening to male it work and customize it. I'm learning a lot already. I'll move to Arch as soon I'll feel comfortable with Fedora. Thank you all again.

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[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world -1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (2 children)

OP wants to LEARN Linux. Immutable distros are not lock and stock built to learn Linux at all. They are built to operate one specific way that is confusing for beginners. Some really basic reasons it's not for newcomers:

  • everything is an edge-case BECAUSE it's an immutable distro
  • vanilla docs (Arch Wiki for example) don't cover immutable distros
  • learning package management isn't possible
  • altering the system as docs or projects would describe isn't available
  • learning to build and install things from source is not stock available

Just because YOU like something, doesn't mean everyone needs to subscribe to your idea of it.

[–] enemenemu@lemm.ee 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

You said arch is not for beginners, OP is asking for a distro to learn. I asked why atomic is not for beginners, not for someone to learn. Op also didn't say what she wants to learn about linux. Maybe she is no software dev and doesn't want to learn how to package software. But even then, distrobox is only a few clicks away. Learning how to tweak the system before learning about firewall and other stuff is beyond beginner level in my opinion.

[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world -2 points 3 days ago

They said they want to "learn Linux". Immutable distros are not how Linux runs in its native form, but a utilitarian way of running it for a specific purpose. You must understand the thing before you speak on the thing.

[–] nous@programming.dev 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

None of that describes why a beginner would not want to use a immutable distro. It only describes why it is not a good idea if you want to learn how traditional linux distros work. Not all beginners want to learn or care about how linux works under the hood and immutable distros can be a good fit for them. They might not be right for OP, but you have not describe any reason why any beginner should avoid them.

[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world -3 points 3 days ago

It absolutely does. Don't know how you don't see that.