It does also have third party repos such as sbopkg. This does a bunch of the movement for you when installing packages though you still need to manually install dependencies, BUT If you also add sboui which is a front end package resolution for dependencies then the process is much faster. I like the stability of Slackware, and also because its helps me get better for when I try the BSD since its very much like them as well.

I luckily remembered this link from a resource i stumbled across. There is a website called

www.thinkpenguin.com

It has several periferals and devices supported by linux that they sell.

Its still going strong.

Though there are a lot more tools.

Still sysinit system and as reliable as ever on its stability.

New things are stuff such as -sbopkg(can deploy slackbuilds a lot faster as it will sync, custom the slackbuilds scripts if you want, build and install applications[though you still have to install depenencies in there proper order])

• Sboui gui style package management tool that will work with sbopkg and take care of the dependecy resolution for the applications you want to install(includes previous mentioned details of sbopkg)

I can say even on me when i was new to using it, slackware is forgiving if you make mistakes.

Alien bob still making modern packages to use as an alternative package resource if you want stuff like vlc, libreoffice and such that do not come with the default package resource.

Lol i cracked up when i saw that too. Slackware user myself. Though i do dabble in mint, arch, artix and netbsd

Lol I have been guillty of this when i first jumped over. The only answer was to VM and thats still not the solution for every application

Sorry for late reply

For about 4 hours i beleive. Though it used to be longer as i have had it for over a year and the battery not like it used to be.

Kde is the default desktop eviornment.

It helps that its a non systemd init system so it doesnt pull as much resources on the backend since systemwide is controlled via scripts.

If i were to run a lighter one such as xfce, qtile or dwm it would run longer(varies on configuration though)

As someone who runs VMs, i suggest you dont. Ivd been doing it for about 2 years and i still have moments where lets say i want to expand my storage and a bork it, or accidently removed a virt selection on virt manager by mistake.

An easy solution. Run conty.

https://github.com/Kron4ek/Conty

It creates a virtualized arch linux with all the needs for gaming without having you worry about the heavy stuff. All the list of programs already on the list including other launchers for other games.

Here is a video explaining it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yugKXXzAdqY

Windows -> macos -> pop os -> debian -> fedora ↓ Now

• linux mint(desktop)
• slackware(laptop)
• arch linux(Kvm/Qemu for gaming)
• Netbsd(older hardware/for fun)

As an example, i use mint as the base of my kvm/qemu virtual machine since i run an arc 380 on base and nvidia gpu for the guest. I made the mistake of updating my experimental kernel and forgot to set quiet and mint menu on grub to select the kernel at boot time. I popped in the install disc i had used previusly and fixed it by using the inlcuded programs to edit the grub and undo my kernel update. Fixed and i saved a timevault snapshot of the fix in case i mess up again. Linux mint saved me from reinstalling my entire os from a simple mistake.

Most desktop enviornments work with most distros. There will be a selection of linux users that say it doesnt matter because though its true you can make any distro look like each other. The navigations can change depending on the distro you use. I agree with most of the comments here, since you are starting out, mint is a solid choice. You get the backings of ubuntu, + its very user frienldy. A gui for packages/drivers and good sweep of software for daily usage. Im using it now since my arc 380 gpu is supported on it to use as the host for my virtual machines. ( i virtualize other distros/BSD and windows [for those pesky windows only games/programs])

Do you want it to be persistent(all your stuff is saved) or you dont mind it starting fresh everytime you plug in to devices?

I concure, i had pop os with virtual machines for windows via kvm/qemu. Total noob but i got it to work somehow. Anyway several games i couldnt play due to anti cheat, i had destiny 2 on my steam account that i cant play do to this problem as i risk my account being banned just for having linux. Eventually after some tinkering i broke my pop os(wanted to use lightdm and lighter desktop enviornment to save ram/cpu).

Only use windows vm for non linux friendly titles i have already paid for. Everything else will be via linux vm for gaming. Since vm is my goto i like keeping my host computer minimum. Also i prefer hdmi audio for my vms as my switch box has an toslink(fiber optic) audio out. Keeps the audio part super easy to add using astros or equivilant gear that have optical support.

When i was still really noob to onward i have jumped from ubuntu, pop os, fedora, linux mint, debian, manjaro, artix, slackware.

I go back between distros from time to time but for a noob and support with out the box experience.

Linux mint is the choice to go, out the box:

• removed ubuntu snaps(snaps seem way too bloated for me)

• nvidia drivers are easy to install via gui

• docs are simple and easy to follow, i had jumped up 2 versions in an old thinkpad w/ nvidia quite easily.

• it does have display refresh rate changes.

• since its based off ubuntu it does have support for games as well.

• really user friendly

Stuff most linux distros have

• tinkering out the box, only a select few remove that to have the distro set to read only for user or are heavily integrated to work a certain way where tinkering is a pain.

• programming-you can setup it however you like for programming, via ide or through text editor such as vim/neovim etc

• vpn remote access for media- its supported in most if not all distros as well.

One thing i want to know is what your computer specs are, since wether a stable distro such as mint or rollin release such as an arch based will depend on your hardware.

I started with for a bit awm, however i am giving qtile a try since im learning how to code python so good practice.