To me, saying something is beginner friendly. Sounds like, “OK you start with this, but then you’ll move on to something else.” As if it’s meant to be left behind. Like this is a tricycle. You’ll get a car after that. Mint is like my truck. Just does everything I need.
@Theodasonlinux posted on X
This is a comment I posted in response to someone referring to Linux Mint as a way to start using Linux. I get so annoyed that everyone says this about Linux Mint. But it’s not specifically designed as a starting point for learning Linux. It does everything any other desktop Linux distro can do. Plus it games very well.
Mint is not fucking Microsoft BOB for Linux.
People however, keep saying it’s a beginner disto. Like this is your first Linux that has training wheels. You’ll graduate to something better later. That’s a silly comparison in my opinion. I’ve tried many distros. Linux Mint is the one I fell in love with. Yes the Cinnamon Desktop is very comfortable for people who used to use Microsoft Windows. But so is every distro that uses any desktop environments like KDE Plasma, Mate, Budgie, Xfce and others.
If you’re a Mac user, you’d prefer Gnome, Pantheon, Cosmic and others.
To me, learning Linux was no different than learning Windows the first time I used it. It was a trial and error excercise. Same for when I started using Mac. Or anything else for that matter. I didn’t sit down in my dad’s truck and immediately figure out how to use the clutch, gas pedal and gear shifter the first try. I stalled it a few times, and learned from my mistakes. I watched him drive. Then I got good at it.
I’ve been using computers since the Apple IIe days. My first Microsoft Operating System was MS Dos 3.1. Since then, I learned Windows 3.1, 3.11, 95, 95c, 98, 98se, Windows 2000, Me, XP, 7, Vista, 8, 8.1 and 10. That’s when I saw the writing on the wall that Microsoft was about to completely loose the plot and join Big Tech Spyware Club. In the last 4 years I also had a Mac in one form or another. Sadly certain things I own require the Mac or I’d ditch that too. I hope to one day.
I currently have 2 gaming desktops running Linux Mint 22.3 as of this writing. As well as a gaming laptop and another laptop I use for writing also using Mint 22.3. All run amazing. I do have my own servers running Ubuntu made from mini PC’s.
The point is, no one just sits down and knows how to use anything perfectly. They have a level of learning. I didn’t sit down and immediately knew how to use GIMP or KDenLive. But I learned them.
However, you do continue to use what you are comfortable with. A linux mate of mine prefers Fedora. I see why he likes it. Also check out his YouTube Channel, he makes amazing content! I like Mint. I do everything I want with it, and as you can see, I get great framerates!
I am able to everything I’ve ever done using Windows on Mint. It’s just as full functional as any other distro. But you use what you feel good with. If bragging you use Arch is some sort of flex, then so is anyone using CachyOS with the Cinnamon Desktop. Funny how it looks just like Linux Mint. But this is just my personal take. I’ll continue to back Mint for now. Both as a cheer leader for what it can do for everyone (including my 75 year old mother and all my friends who have also joined the Linux revolution). As well as my annual donation to their project.
I realize this won’t stop people from saying it’s a beginner distro. I’m just saying you don’t need to think of it as a stepping stone to linux greatness. It can be the greatest linux in your every day life. I can use any linux distro. This is the one that makes me happy. And I don’t expect grandma to setup a linux server like I have.