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content/posts/2026/03/selecting-a-linux-distro/index.md

@@ -8,9 +8,12 @@ tags = [ 'Linux', 'Windows', 'macOS' ]
 categories = [ 'Guides' ]
 series = [ 'linux-beginner-guide' ]
 series_weight = 1
-featuredImage = ""
+featuredImage = "/posts/2024/05/linux-select-distro/cover.jpg"
 +++
 
+Picking a Linux distribution is not that hard and not *that* important.
+This guide aims to provide you with guidance in the process of picking a distribution that suits you. This all *not* based on what user interface you like, but other aspects.
+
 {{< admonition type=info title="What is a distro?" open=false >}}
 A distro, which is short for distribution, is an assortment of Software that makes up a whole Linux-based operating system. 
 It consists of various components, such as a User Interface (which is what you see on screen),
@@ -36,6 +39,9 @@ The most important thing to remember is that you don't have to decide within 10
 and don't try to make it do what you are used to, try to learn how it does it, as that can open your eyes two whole new ways of interacting with a PC.
 {{< /admonition >}}
 
+**NOTE**: As much as it pains me to say / suggest this, but LLMs are a good help with doing this kind of research and with troubleshooting issues.
+Just don't blindly trust it (nor anything!), especially when it comes to running commands!
+
 
 ## Picking a desktop environment
 While it is a bit annoying to do, you can change your desktop environment down the line as well without having to reinstall your entire operating system.
@@ -52,8 +58,23 @@ If you have an old laptop or PC laying around that you don't use, just install s
 ### GNOME
 
 ### Cinnamon
+This is the default user interface of Linux Mint. If you want to use this user interface, I would *highly* suggest going with Linux Mint, as it is best integrated there.
+Of course, you can also install it on Arch Linux - and by extension CachyOS.
+
+It has a Windows-Like layout (if that's your thing), it is generally considered very stable.
+Its set of apps is also really solid and the GNOME and Xfce apps looks fairly at-home on this desktop.
+
+However, it is the only major desktop that does not yet support Wayland, which means it doesn't support some of the modern features of the Linux Desktop such as HDR.
+
+Some people also think it looks a bit ugly (*yes, very much so*)
+
 
 ### Cosmic
+This is the new kid on the block, it is the desktop for Pop!_OS. Unlike with Cinnamon, you should *not* use Pop!_OS, at all (it has a record / reputation of always breaking).
+
+Cinnamon features a unique layout that focuses on Tiling (i.e. split screen, etc), but in comparison to Tiling Window Managers, it is very approachable for beginners.
+
+However, since it has only been released as stable in December 2025, it still suffers from some teething problems most new software does, but it's very impressive and blazingly fast
 
 ### Xfce
 
@@ -64,3 +85,5 @@ Using the DE you picked above and some other aspects, these are my distro recomm
 | Distribution | Target audience | Base distribution | Advantages | Disadvantages | Available DEs |
 |--------------| ----------------|-------------------|------------|---------------|---------------|
 | CachyOS | Intermediates / Beginners | Arch | Very fast, up-to-date, excellent docs, great community, all DEs & WMs | Arch base (thus a bit more challenging), likely a bit less stable than others on this list | All |
+| Fedora | Beginners / Intermediates | Fedora (technically RHEL, but it's complicated) | Fast, stable, mostly up-to-date, great community, spins for many DEs | Package manager a bit slow, switching desktops a bit of a pain | KDE, GNOME, others (but a bit of a pain) |
+| Arch | Intermediate / Advanced | Arch | The best distribution out there (in my objective opinion), minimal by design, can be very reliable if you know what you're doing, best docs, all DEs & WMs, very up-to-date, very flexible | harder than others to install, can really bite you | All |