this post was submitted on 20 Jun 2026
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Linux
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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The distro doesn't matter, the Desktop Environment does.
If they are used to MacOS and want something simple and "out of the way", go with Gnome.
If they are used to Windows, go with KDE.
Fedora is probably the most straightforward to install and manage right now. You won't need to "lock down" anything if you don't give them sudo credentials.and just a regular user account.
I’d say Cinnamon or XFCE. Plenty customizable enough for this use case and very straightforward.
Facts. XFCE should be familiar to anyone who has operated a computer in the last 25 years
Budgie might be easier for someone who isn't a technical user.
My thought was XFCE feels a lot like XP/7 era Windows, and so would be familiar. But I can see Budgie being attractive for someone where it’s just like “here’s the button for your email, here’s how you get on the internet” and they don’t need to touch anything else.