this post was submitted on 09 Oct 2025
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Flow chart for choosing a Linux distribution (infosec.pub)
submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by nephew@lemmy.ca to c/linux@programming.dev
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When I first began researching Linux, for my needs, I found the number of different Distros to be overwhelming. So I made this flow chart, with the intent to help new users find a starting point for choosing a distribution.

I'm open to critique, as to making this chart as helpful as possible.

EDIT: Chart updated based on suggestions in the comments.

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[–] x00z@lemmy.world 44 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Pretty decent, but there's a few things I think should be improved:

  • Logos !!!!!!!
  • Instead of having a chain of distros as an answer, make a nice group and don't point towards any one of them. I'm still trying to figure out if you have some sort of ranking going on.
  • The split after "Windows or Mac? -> Mac -> or " is weird and should probably be a question and differently phrased.
  • Immutability is misspelled and not explained. The gradient also makes it looks more special than the others (while it's just a difference). Maybe an asterisk with an explanation at the bottom would be better for this.
  • At one point you use "Please" instead of "Yes". I understand the joke, but people who could actually use this flowchart might not.
  • SteamOS is not a viable distro choice. (For now at least) I would suggest removing it until it actually becomes one.
  • "Are you a developer" has 4 answers but could be split into "Yes" and "No" with their own GPU questions.
  • White on yellow/orange is hard to read.
  • White on pink is readable but could be made easier to read.
  • Maybe a better font would great too
  • You could also add some Lemmy/Reddit/forum URLs where users could get Linux help.
  • You could also add some information like "Just looking for a Linux laptop? Buy System76" or something (I'm not up to date with decent Linux laptop vendors)

You are open to critique so I hope you don't mind this many points.

[–] nephew@lemmy.ca 20 points 1 week ago

Thank you.

I've made changes based on your input and will update the chart soon.

[–] Novocirab@feddit.org 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

One addition: On the right, "A computer from this decade?" — I think this can easily be widened to "A computer older than 15 years?" (swapping "yes" & "no", of course). The laptop on my lap is exactly 10 years old, wasn't high end back then, and runs OpenSUSE with KDE easily. Well, in all fairness, it's now got 12 GB RAM, but that's mostly for development purposes. Perhaps one could ask directly: "At least 8 GB RAM?"

[–] nephew@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 week ago

Good point. I'll add a note about RAM.

[–] miked@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 week ago

My 10 year old laptop runs Ubuntu well. Except for sound which I don't need anyways.