Fedora 36 may establish a new gold standard for Linux distributions.
Throughout the years, I've declared various Linux distributions to be the de facto standard for new users. That honor has been bestowed upon Ubuntu Linux, Linux Mint, elementary OS, Zorin OS, and Deepin. But, with the beta release of Fedora 36, I'm beginning to believe that a major shift is about to occur, one that could easily place the title of "best distribution for new users" squarely on the head of an operating system that was previously reserved for users with extensive Linux experience.That's right, what was once labeled "bleeding edge" and "for experienced users only" has evolved into something quite unique and fantastic. In fact, Fedora has evolved into such an easy-to-use (and reliable) Linux distribution that I'm ready to declare it the new gold standard for Linux distributions.that's how impressive it is.
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GNOME Desktop |
Now I realize I should explain why I made this choice. After all, GNOME is Fedora's default desktop environment, which many will argue is not ideal for new users. However, I believe the opposite. However, I understand and respect your skepticism. GNOME deviates significantly from the traditional desktop metaphor. There is no bottom taskbar, no desktop menu... Everything is, in fact, very different from what people are used to.
Is this true?
After all, the vast majority of users now work with multiple operating systems and can easily switch between Windows and Android, Windows and iOS, macOS and iOS, and even macOS and Android. And the mobile interfaces are not the same as the desktop counterparts. Furthermore, how different are macOS and Android from GNOME? One could argue that the interfaces for Android and iOS have more in common with GNOME than the interfaces for Windows or macOS. For this reason alone, I would argue that GNOME is not such a radical departure for the average user.
With that said, let's take a look at Fedora 36's beta release and see why I think it's a significant milestone.
It all comes down to simplicity.
Know that what I'm about to say is genuine and the result of extensive research. I believe that Linux (in general) has evolved into the most user-friendly operating system on the market. The days of having to use the terminal are long gone. There will no longer be a scarcity of applications or hardware support. It is rare that you will have to struggle to get anything to work on Linux.
Except for a few exceptions (such as Gentoo and Arch), Linux has evolved into a remarkably simple operating system that anyone, regardless of experience, can use. Fedora 36 exemplifies this.
There are also the standard GNOME apps. For those who find the default app list insufficient, there is always GNOME software, which allows you to install almost any app you require. Fedora 36 is also designed for users of all skill levels, from casual web surfers to developers, for those who know more about Linux than the average user.
But it was Fedora 36's simplicity that drew me in. Both the Fedora and GNOME development teams have gone to great lengths to ensure that their most recent releases are as user-friendly as possible. They were a success. GNOME 42 perfected their previous release, and the Fedora team added just the right bits to elevate this distribution.
To truly appreciate how far Fedora has progressed as a desktop operating system, you must firsthand experience it. The ease of use, stability, performance, and design elements all combine to create a perfect storm of simplicity and usability that I've never seen before in a Fedora developer release.
Is it safe to say that Fedora Linux is the best Linux distribution for new users? I believe so. It has truly advanced to that level. Fedora is now ready to compete with any desktop operating system, despite not having the cachet of popularity that Ubuntu or Linux Mint do.
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