Choosing a distro to start our Linux adventure is a bit more complicated than it seems. The Web is absolutely saturated with recommendations, and to that we add the opinions of users themselves, who on certain occasions demonstrate considerable passion on the subject. Now, it's likely that the actual number of distros is a bit intimidating, but if you have a more or less solid idea of what you want to find in one, then you should complete the survey on the Distrochooser portal and explore its suggestions.
Whenever a major problem arises in Windows, someone always says: "the best thing is to use Linux". Leaving aside whether that recommendation is sincere or not, the truth is that there are many interesting distros out there, but not all are suitable for beginners. The key is identifying those versions that allow us to take a solid first step, without hesitation or technical surprises. At the same time, we must remember the extraordinary value of Linux in revitalizing more humble computers, offering good performance and frequent updates. That said... where do we begin?
Which Linux Distro Should I Use? Distrochooser Answers
All you have to do is visit the Distrochooser portal and fill out a questionnaire of 16 questions, though you only need the first 12 or 13 to receive a suggestion. Among the questions you'll find what kind of use you want to give to your Linux installation, your computer knowledge, whether you have previous experience with Linux or not, whether you prefer a system with presets during installation or you're more comfortable with manual intervention, the type of hardware to use (so it doesn't run badly or slowly), how you'd like to get help in case of a problem, and what features your interface should have, among others. The last questions fall into a much more advanced area, with references to systemd, privacy, and isolated processes.
Now, I admit that Distrochooser is not perfect. Some combinations of answers can lead to unusual suggestions like Scientific Linux, and others basically throw half of DistroWatch at you, presenting from variants of Ubuntu and Debian to Puppy Linux and Knoppix. In short, try to be as precise as possible with your answers, and don't hesitate to experiment, either with old hardware or virtual environments.
