linuxmemes

I try to help an be supportive to newcomers. There's always someone who thinks shaming someone for using non free software or something like an Nvidia GPU will change their mind. There's also people who disagree with you and respond to every comment but don't offer a real solution in return. I love the people who say it works on mine without explaining what they did to make it work on their system.

I like arch because it reminds me the most of windows

Debian does just work and is a good choice. I think people typically have good experiences on Mint also. Ubuntu is becoming like the Windows of Linux distros, I used to use it on everything but I won't be installing it on another machine because of Snaps.

If you plan on using Linux to do gaming you might want a more up-to-date distro tho.

Been using debian for more than a decade and "it just works" has become truer every year. It's a good distro, if you have no principle objections against systemd (which I do, but am too lazy to do anything about).

The one thing I am not happy about: Audio drivers on a Desktop computer

• works out of the box, but then messes up when selecting input devices from:
• line in
• headphones in
• USB camera microphone
• Audio in "sinks" - I believe those are channels allowing for active noise cancelling / preventing Audio feedback loops I had a whole lot of trouble with pulseaudio selecting the correct source when trying to use my mic in the browser.

On a Laptop, I've never experienced such issues, as all devices are integrated (apart from the headphones jack, I guess).

Just when I got familiar enough with pulseaudio, they replaced it with "pipewire", which fucked up output devices:

• works on boot
• when I plug in headphones: it messes up the Audio output to HDMI and I have to manually re-select (on desktop environment) the headphones
• when I then touch the volume control (GUI), the output goes silent again and I have to select the "Port" headphones for the "Built-in Audio Analog Stereo" under "Output Devices"

drives me crazy since the last update - but it's only an issue when using headphones, so for now I am living with it.

Very good choice going with Debian. It is simple, clean, can be as minimal or as "bloated" as you wish, and once you've worked out the kinks it will happily run for years without maintenance (except updates of course).

There's a steep learning curve because as a user you're expected to configure stuff yourself (although defaults are most of the time very sensible), but if you're willing and able to truly learn Linux and the terminal and you're familiar with your hardware, it's one of the best platforms out there.

Split the difference and run LMDE.

Better leave out Ubuntu if you don't want to be bothered with Snap.

Debian is a bit more "naked" per default, as a beginner maybe go with Mint.

Best advise I can give after 20+ years of distro hopping is to be ready to try a few different ones to see which one might resonate the best with you. Because not all of them will feel right. But you will find one that fits you best. It might be Debian or Ubuntu or Fedora or Suse or Mint or even Arch. (I don't run Arch BTW)

In the long run, it don't matter which distro you use - they are all Linux under their petticoats anyway. Just choose the one that works for you and makes YOU happy. And if you decide to change your distro of choice at any point for something different, that's all good too.

I know exactly what you mean. I'd also prefer Debian, Mint or Fedora. Each has its weaknesses, but you got to start somewhere. Go for it, then decide for yourself. It's not that hard to switch again.

I was running endeavourOS with kde plasma 6.0 and wayland

couldn't make discord screenshare work and had to switch (1 click in the login screen) to x11

I don't truly understand the implications, but now my problem is solved

Or find a thread where someone else asked the same question, and give the wrong answer/solution.

Let us know if she still needs help

lol bunch of thirsty incels.

Is your wife single?