Listen, I understand the appeal of recommending user-friendly, beginner-oriented distros like Linux Mint or Zorin OS that may feel very familiar to long-time Windows users. They provide a familiar desktop environment and try to ease the transition. However, by doing so, we risk perpetuating a mindset that Linux is merely a free alternative to Windows, rather than a fundamentally different (and we’d probably say superior) approach to computing.
Linux’s true strength lies in its open-source nature, flexibility, and adherence to the principles of free software. Recommending distros that emulate the proprietary, closed-source look and feel of Windows subtly undermines these core values and does a disservice not just to the Linux community but also to the new users coming to these operating systems. We are essentially trying to promote Linux without the caveat that your muscle memory is going to be challenged by a new environment, which … it definitely will be, in one way or another. We cannot keep trying so hard to accommodate those that prioritize the familiarity they have with Windows as something that needs to remain in their Linux experience; people need to be willing to try something new when they try Linux.
Instead of promoting “Windows-y” distros, we should encourage newcomers to embrace the diversity of Linux by recommending distros that exemplify its unique philosophies. Distros like Fedora, openSUSE, Arch Linux, and others are a good start; maybe GNOME’s desktop paradigm is what someone’s been missing all their life, and they don’t think they hate the start menu desktop paradigm, but they begin to! Maybe an unbreakable immutable/atomic distro is exactly what your elderly relative needs, and their needs are met by Flatpaks! Maybe getting down and dirty with the command line is uncomfortable for your techy friend at first, but they begin to love it in no time!
By exposing newcomers to a unique Linux from the start, we not only provide them with a potentially superior computing experience but also foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the principles that drive the open-source movement. There is no Linux distro that is EXACTLY like Windows, and people asking for this or something close to this should simply continue to use Windows!
Additionally, recommending unique distros that aren’t based on Microsoft’s paradigms ensures that the demand for non-Windows-y Linux experiences remains strong, encouraging developers and communities to continue innovating and pushing the boundaries of what free and open-source software can look like.
Let’s take pride in Linux’s unique identity, and promote distros that embody its essence. By doing so, we not only enrich the newcomers’ experience but also strengthen the entire Linux ecosystem, ensuring its continued growth and relevance. There is no “better Windows” in Linux-land, because in order to be entirely better than Windows, Linux is often very different!
I tend to agree with this. Linux isn’t one alternative and niche OS, it’s a massive community and ecosystem with loads of options and a deep history of its own. I switched from daily-driving windows to installing arch linux with hyprland and learned a bunch of new systems and ideas. My experience with Linux before this had been Ubuntu and Kubuntu.
I relearned a lot. Some harder things I adjusted to:
Exposing myself to that change and those new ideas gave me the opportunity to learn about alternatives and choose the best option for me. I feel far more productive with my changes.
Now a counterpoint: many users learned to use windows or macos over time, through their education or alongside its development. Those users may not have the time or desire to relearn key ideas or workflows, especially not in one big plunge. A distro like Linux Mint undoubtedly works really well to ease someone in.
Another consideration: many design decisions are shared by lots of software, visual and functional. Some are a product of how software and UIs have grown, like a shift towards flat design or common control schemes. It would certainly do more harm than good for Linux users to abandon ALL similarities with existing software; where that line is drawn is probably subjective.
Anyways, I still agree that the mindset of ideal Linux distros being “windows replacement” is very limiting. For new users who do have the time and desire to learn and adapt, trying alternative software is a great option to maximizing their computer’s potential. Even users on “beginner distros” can install pieces of software and learn about the ecosystem, since Linux is so modular.