this post was submitted on 31 Jul 2025
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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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If possible it might help to have a couple demo PCs out so that they and try different desktop environments. Some might be more enthusiastic if they can not only play around with it when it's up and running (and gives people something to do while your helping others) but also if the DE matches their "workflow better" it also gives you a chance to show them how to do common tasks. Maybe different demos have different "suites", like here's the gaming demo, here's regular, productivity, etc
I agree with some of the other posts, I'd stick with 1 distro (whichever all the helpers are most comfortable with) so that you can speak confidently about it, and decrease the chances of something going wrong and you having to break out Google and the terminal. A DE is an easier choice to explain that different distros affecting and impacting things they can't see. Especially if you might have to provide tech support during the beginning. Maybe just say a throw away line or 2 about there being different distros, just like there's different kinds of cheese. Still same thing at its core, just different options.
I also recommend a couple spare external hard drives for them to back up their files.
I'd maybe do just a brief overview at the beginning. And go more in depth afterwards so they don't get overloaded.