this post was submitted on 14 Mar 2024
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Linux
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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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Yes Stable Linux variants (also known as distros) are very widely used, and range from Linux mint which is completely stable with no issues for day to day use (assuming you don't use an Nvidia card) to Debian which which has a selling point of not changing anything beyond security updates for like 6 years straight
Most people here will be talking about there bleeding edge systems which will use code that is often in beta or use systems so new they don't have proper documentation (the bcachefs file system which showed up last month comes to mind).
Just ot make it clear to OP, Stable does NOT nesesarily mean bug free. Just like how most people are on the "stable" branch of Windows 10 or 11,but they still encounter bugs, "stable" Linux distros can also have bugs.
The difference between "stable" and not stable is that: 1.) The system is "stable" in that it's very unlikely to crash. Stable Linux distros are much preferred for servers, for instance. 2.) Any OS related bugs you find will still be there likely until the next big release. (with Debian iirc this is like every 4 years)
Debian has been doing two years for a long time. The longest interval was three.
I never had issues with Nvidia on Mint, but I recently upgraded to a 7800xt and had issues in some games. Switched to Ubuntu 23.10 with Wayland and back to no issues. I recommend Mint for all new Linux users, unless you have current gen hardware. Then you might want a newer kernel. Linux Mint is very stable and you can expect the same amount of bugs as Windows 10. Less bugs than Win11 I think.
Linux Mint provides a newer kernel (currently 6.5), either through the Edge ISO or the kernels menu in the updater.
What?! Damn... That's what I get for just apt updating in the terminal and assuming it's fixed to 5.15. I've read that Mint is still behind on Wayland support though, so my switch to Ubuntu still feels justified.