Which distribution should I choose if I want to switch to Linux?



After researching online, I found that opensuse, mint, debian, ubuntu, manjaro are popular options, but I'm not sure what sets them apart or which one to choose.
Can you recommend the most user-friendly and interesting distribution for someone transitioning from Windows today?

I don't play games, but I work with graphic programs like CorelDRAW, Inkscape, and Photoshop. My main focus is web programming. (Please don't laugh if that's irrelevant
I've looked up similar discussions, but they seem to be outdated. Has anything changed recently?
I would greatly appreciate any help!
P.S: Links to beginner-friendly guides are also welcome.

Choosing a Linux distribution can be overwhelming, but here are a few recommendations based on your needs:

1. Ubuntu: Ubuntu is one of the most popular and user-friendly distributions. It has a large community and extensive documentation, making it easy to find help and beginner-friendly guides.

  - Download: https://ubuntu.com/download
  - Beginner's Guide: https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/tutorial-beginners-guide

2. Linux Mint: Linux Mint is another user-friendly distribution that aims to provide a familiar desktop experience. It comes with useful multimedia codecs preinstalled, making it easy to play media files.

  - Download: https://linuxmint.com/download.php
  - User Guide: https://linuxmint-user-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

3. Manjaro: Manjaro is a rolling release distribution that offers the latest stable software updates. It provides a user-friendly interface and is known for its ease of use, making it a good choice for beginners.

  - Download: https://manjaro.org/downloads/
  - User Guide: https://wiki.manjaro.org/index.php?title=Main_Page

4. Fedora: Fedora is known for its focus on cutting-edge technology and is often seen as a great distribution for developers. It provides a stable and up-to-date environment, with strong support for software development tools.

  - Download: https://getfedora.org/
  - Documentation: https://docs.fedoraproject.org/

5. openSUSE: openSUSE is a reliable and flexible distribution that offers a choice between two desktop environments: KDE Plasma and GNOME. It has a user-friendly installer and a helpful community.

  - Download: https://software.opensuse.org/distributions/leap
  - Documentation: https://doc.opensuse.org/

6. Debian: Debian is known for its stability, security, and huge software repository. It is a great choice if you value reliability and long-term support.

  - Download: https://www.debian.org/distrib/
  - Debian Handbook (user guide): https://debian-handbook.info/browse/stable/

7. Pop!_OS: Pop!_OS is developed by System76 and is based on Ubuntu. It is designed with a focus on productivity, especially for developers and creative professionals. It comes with useful features like tiling window management and is optimized for modern hardware.

  - Download: https://pop.system76.com/
  - Documentation: https://support.system76.com/

8. Elementary OS: Elementary OS is known for its sleek and elegant design, resembling macOS in some ways. It provides a user-friendly experience and is suitable for both beginners and advanced users. It has a focus on simplicity and ease of use.

  - Download: https://elementary.io/
  - User Guide: https://docs.elementary.io/

9. Solus: Solus is an independent, user-friendly distribution that offers a polished desktop environment called Budgie. It is designed for home computing and provides good performance, along with a curated software selection.

  - Download: https://getsol.us/download/
  - Help Center: https://getsol.us/help-center/

10. Zorin OS: Zorin OS is designed to provide a familiar user interface, making it an excellent choice for Windows users transitioning to Linux. It offers different versions with varying levels of customization and features.

  - Download: https://zorinos.com/download/
  - User Guide: https://zorinos.com/help/

11. CentOS: CentOS is a community-driven distribution based on the same codebase as Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It focuses on stability and long-term support, making it popular for servers and enterprise use.

  - Download: https://www.centos.org/download/
  - Documentation: https://docs.centos.org/

12. MX Linux: MX Linux is a lightweight distribution that aims to be easy to use while being resource-efficient. It provides a user-friendly experience and comes with a variety of tools and applications preinstalled.

  - Download: https://mxlinux.org/download-links/
  - User Manual: https://mxlinux.org/user_manual_mx19/mxum.pdf

13. Arch Linux: Arch Linux is known for its simplicity, flexibility, and minimalist approach. It follows a rolling release model, allowing you to have the latest software updates. Arch Linux offers a high degree of customization but requires some manual configuration.

  - Download: https://www.archlinux.org/download/
  - Wiki: https://wiki.archlinux.org/

14. Kubuntu: Kubuntu is an official flavor of Ubuntu that uses the KDE Plasma desktop environment. It combines the beginner-friendly nature of Ubuntu with the powerful and customizable features of KDE Plasma.

  - Download: https://kubuntu.org/getkubuntu/
  - Documentation: https://docs.kubuntu.org/

15. Xubuntu: Xubuntu is another Ubuntu flavor that uses the lightweight Xfce desktop environment. It provides a balance between performance and a user-friendly experience, making it suitable for older hardware or users who prefer a lightweight setup.

  - Download: https://xubuntu.org/download/
  - Wiki: https://wiki.xubuntu.org/

16. Fedora Workstation: Fedora Workstation is a popular distribution that focuses on providing a stable and reliable platform for developers and desktop users. It comes with the GNOME desktop environment and provides a rich development ecosystem.

  - Download: https://getfedora.org/workstation/
  - Documentation: https://docs.fedoraproject.org/

17. Deepin: Deepin is a visually stunning Linux distribution that features the Deepin Desktop Environment, known for its modern and intuitive design. It offers a unique user experience and is particularly appealing to users who prioritize aesthetics.

  - Download: https://www.deepin.org/en/download/
  - User Guide: https://wiki.deepin.org/

18. Ubuntu Studio: Ubuntu Studio is an officially recognized Ubuntu flavor that is specifically tailored for multimedia creation and production. It comes with a suite of applications for audio, video, and graphic editing, making it ideal for creative professionals.

  - Download: https://ubuntustudio.org/download/
  - Documentation: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UbuntuStudio

19. EndeavourOS: EndeavourOS is an Arch Linux-based distribution that aims to provide an easy-to-use and beginner-friendly experience. It offers a variety of desktop environments and focuses on user customization.

  - Download: https://endeavouros.com/latest-release/
  - Wiki: https://endeavouros.com/docs/

20. Tails: Tails is a Linux distribution focused on privacy and security. It is designed to run from a USB stick or DVD and routes internet connections through the Tor network for anonymous browsing.

  - Download: https://tails.boum.org/install/
  - Documentation: https://tails.boum.org/doc/

21. Ubuntu Budgie: Ubuntu Budgie is an official flavor of Ubuntu that features the Budgie desktop environment. It provides a modern and elegant user interface along with a unique set of applications and extensions.

  - Download: https://ubuntubudgie.org/downloads/
  - User Guide: https://ubuntubudgie.org/help/user-guide

These distributions should work well for your needs in graphic design and web programming, as they offer a wide range of software and development tools. While Photoshop is not natively available on Linux, you can explore alternatives like GIMP (included in most distributions) or Adobe's web-based version of Photoshop.

When it comes to choosing a distribution, I usually advise seeking guidance from someone who has experience with it. Having someone who has already encountered any potential issues can save a lot of time and effort in troubleshooting.

In the absence of personal guidance, Google can be a helpful resource.

Districts can be classified into two types: batch and source-based.

In batch installations, similar to Windows, the program is installed as it is packaged. The advantage of batch distributions lies in their simplicity and speed of deployment. With just one command, you can have a web server up and running. However, a disadvantage is that if there is an error in the program, it cannot be fixed until a new version of the package is released. This can be problematic if it's an unofficial package or if the system is no longer supported. Batch installations also require editing configuration files, and package collectors have the freedom to place files wherever they please. This flexibility can lead to unique configurations, particularly with Apache packages.

On the other hand, source-based distributions allow the user to build programs according to predefined scenarios (such as ports or ebuilds). This requires a more active role in the installation process, as the software won't work without user intervention. The entry threshold is higher, and a basic understanding of how the system works, as well as knowledge of the C programming language, is necessary. Source-based distributions have the potential for better performance than batch installations, but they still require fine-tuning.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. In my case, I use Calculate Linux 17, a source-based distribution based on Gentoo. It suits my needs and preferences.

When selecting a distribution, it is important to understand that the choice is not simply based on the name, but on the specific repository and the corresponding management of deb or RPM packages. I have personally experimented with 15 different distributions over the past year, spending several days or weeks working on each one. As a result, I now have two Linux partitions representing two different "camps" - Manjaro KDE and Ubuntu. Although I have been using Ubuntu for 10 years, I am open to trying Kubuntu if possible. I must mention that Manjaro is currently falling behind, at least in my opinion.

Beyond the distribution itself, there are choices to be made regarding the desktop environment, window managers, file managers, and more. In the pursuit of simplicity, it may be worth exploring tile window managers. And then, without pause, exploring even more options such as Zsh or Fish as a shell, and some interesting window manager like Awesome.

Of course, everyone will tell you that the choice ultimately depends on your specific tasks. In my view, starting with a deb-based distribution and leaning towards Ubuntu with a GNOME-oriented environment can provide a solid foundation for development. Over time, you can tweak and tailor it to your needs, gradually approaching the perfect setup for you.

Personally, I require various tech stacks and the latest versions of Python. I also rely on applications like gxneur for switching layouts and customizing key mappings. These are things that may not come easily from a standard installation, but can be added with some effort. For such requirements, a deb-based distribution like Ubuntu proves to be a good fit.

Based on my experience, I would advise against pure Arch-based distributions or Gentoo. They tend to demand more time and effort to set up and maintain. On the other hand, Debian provides stability but often lags behind in terms of software versions. Mint is great for regular users, while OpenSUSE, although somewhat dated, is reliable. However, if you choose OpenSUSE, its variant called Gecko is a better choice. Of course, these are all just my opinions.