When I first began researching Linux, for my needs, I found the number of different Distros to be overwhelming. So I made this flow chart, with the intent to help new users find a starting point for choosing a distribution.

I’m open to critique, as to making this chart as helpful as possible.

EDIT: Chart updated based on suggestions in the comments.

  • x00z@lemmy.worldEnglish
    26·
    1 month ago

    Pretty decent, but there’s a few things I think should be improved:

    • Logos !!!
    • Instead of having a chain of distros as an answer, make a nice group and don’t point towards any one of them. I’m still trying to figure out if you have some sort of ranking going on.
    • The split after “Windows or Mac? -> Mac -> <similar> or <similar and user friendly>” is weird and should probably be a question and differently phrased.
    • Immutability is misspelled and not explained. The gradient also makes it looks more special than the others (while it’s just a difference). Maybe an asterisk with an explanation at the bottom would be better for this.
    • At one point you use “Please” instead of “Yes”. I understand the joke, but people who could actually use this flowchart might not.
    • SteamOS is not a viable distro choice. (For now at least) I would suggest removing it until it actually becomes one.
    • “Are you a developer” has 4 answers but could be split into “Yes” and “No” with their own GPU questions.
    • White on yellow/orange is hard to read.
    • White on pink is readable but could be made easier to read.
    • Maybe a better font would great too
    • You could also add some Lemmy/Reddit/forum URLs where users could get Linux help.
    • You could also add some information like “Just looking for a Linux laptop? Buy System76” or something (I’m not up to date with decent Linux laptop vendors)

    You are open to critique so I hope you don’t mind this many points.

    • nephew@lemmy.caOPEnglish
      15·
      1 month ago

      Thank you.

      I’ve made changes based on your input and will update the chart soon.

    • Novi Sad@feddit.org
      7·
      1 month ago

      One addition: On the right, “A computer from this decade?” — I think this can easily be widened to “A computer older than 15 years?” (swapping “yes” & “no”, of course). The laptop on my lap is exactly 10 years old, wasn’t high end back then, and runs OpenSUSE with KDE easily. Well, in all fairness, it’s now got 12 GB RAM, but that’s mostly for development purposes. Perhaps one could ask directly: “At least 8 GB RAM?”

  • tensorpudding@lemmy.world
    17·
    1 month ago

    It is impossible to please everyone with something like this but I personally think it strikes a good balance of opinionated and thoughtful. Thanks for making this.

  • TwilightKiddy@programming.devEnglish
    4·
    1 month ago

    You shall not advice to indulge in NixOS nor Gentoo. These take root in forbidden scripts, one must walk these depths of their own volition completely, clean of else’s influence. Us tell such atrocities exist and share the way we use them, but never condemn one to do so as well.

  • Zedstrian@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    3·
    1 month ago

    Next to ElementaryOS, similar is misspelled ‘simillar’. I’ll bookmark this since I plan on switching to Linux rather than to Windows 11. Out of curiosity, if SteamOS is ultimately just an immutable version of Arch Linux, is the immutability of SteamOS what classifies it as ‘beginner-friendly’? In terms of usability, in my efforts to customize SteamOS on the Steam Deck, I found the immutability to be a severe detriment to the user’s ability to install system packages to install basic functionality to replicate Windows features, such as Mint Stick (the only simple, GUI-based USB formatting tool I could find for Linux).

    • PolarKraken@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      2·
      1 month ago

      I’ve never used Arch, so someone may give a better explanation, but an analogy would be - Arch is like getting a box of LEGO, SteamOS is like getting a pre built model made from LEGO.

      And yeah, immutability is usually considered more beginner friendly because you’re less able to break your system accidentally, and it’s lots more straightforward to roll back to a previously working system, too, when things do break.

      As for installing stuff on Steam Deck, I think that’s by design, not an incidental flaw. It’s a big contributor to stability. On Bazzite, which is similar, you can install whatever you like…into a container. Only a subset of software is supported for more direct installation. Keeping everything else isolated in containers keeps the system stable.

  • Albbi@lemmy.ca
    2·
    1 month ago

    I think you could add: “Enjoy a very colourful desktop interface?” and go from Garuda to Garuda Dr460onized.

      • pishadoot@sh.itjust.works
        1·
        1 month ago

        Yup. Was super unstable for me. I could get over the aesthetic if it worked well for gaming as claimed, but it was just a hot mess. After several reinstalls in a month I just ditched it.