linuxquestions, arch forums. LQ seems to be a bit less active recently tho
linux mint and ubuntu forum seemed to be very friendly even for noobs
this post was submitted on 17 Mar 2026
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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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Usually your distro's forums are good enough, and even searching not your distro's forums can lead to some insights into your issues/questions.
Otherwise Arch Wiki, Gentoo Wiki, Arch Forums, Gentoo Forums, Debian User Forums, Ask Ubuntu, Linux Questions, Linux Mint Forums, even Manjaro Forums can be helpful. Always do as much search and research you can before asking your question on a forum and mention what you've done already. A lot of the times, your issue has already been raised and already has an answer. If not, ask away and mention what you've done already.
Thank you!
The FOSS websites are usually worthy, as are privacyguides / privacytools, OMGUbuntu, ChrisTitus, and similar. Where are you on your Linux journey? Complete novice, have tried and need specific help or other?
Thank you for your recs! I have been running Linux exclusively for a little over a month now, after dual booting to transition. Of course, I distro-hopped along the way trying Mint, Ubuntu, Zorin, Mint again, until I thought "why not just use Debian itself to see it for myself" and I quite like it.
I think if you're happy with any form of Linux the preference of distro matters a lot less than your ability to find software that meets your every need.
My own journey started somewhat similarly to yours, but I (distro) hopped like a rabbit on amphetamines and had multi boot USB with 3 or 4 different distros on. Eventually I picked one, Ubuntu as it seemed to do everything that I needed, wanted and also hadn't realized that I wanted. After about a year, I including difference DE's, Iflipped to Mint. Then after another year to pure Debian. I never became a very good user of terminal. I've learned one or two basics but certainly not considered expert (possibly not even adequate). Currently on Opensuse Tumbleweed. This distro has a tremendous repository available within the software stores, it pretty much looks after itself. All the software that I need for office productivity is there. I'm an amateur photographer so still have access to dark table and GIMP. Love my music so can output to an audiophile DAC via Strawberry music player.
Bottom line, ignore choice of distro and focus more on which can run the software you need on your machine, and which one looks prettiest to you.
Thank you, appreciate the advice and, also, your view on OpenSUSE. That distro actually caught my attention and, if I ever feel like hopping again, I will give it a shot.
Level1Techs, Lawrence Systems, Learn Linux TV.
Thank you! I didn't know these ones.
Definitely L1
Linux Questions was a good forum. I haven't used it in a long time so I don't know if it still is.
Thanks! Will take a look