If you've never used Linux, the slightly safer route is Ubuntu, as you may have identical questions to a lot of new Linux users who also tend to use Ubuntu, otherwise Debian all the way. And Debian 9 is being release
TODAY, so I'd just dive straight in!
The reason I personally like Debian is because I'm a minimalist -- I only want programs that I use installed on my machine and I don't care for desktop environments, eye-candy or bloatware. Debian allows you to build your system from the ground up by only selecting "Standard system utilities" during installation.
If you use Ubuntu, you will be forced to use Unity. If you use Debian, you can choose your desktop environment (or choose not to as I mentioned, but I recommend you use one as a beginner). Most popular ones are KDE (heavy), Gnome and Xfce (lightweight). And Mint is similar to Ubuntu, except that it doesn't force you to use Unity. So you have a lot of options.
Another key difference is that Debian will use slightly dated software in the interest of rock-solid testing and stability, whereas Ubuntu/Mint will be a little more cutting edge. But this shouldn't bother you, as like I said, Debian 9 is being released
TODAY!!
And yes, Ubuntu is a direct fork of Debian. Linux family tree:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...n_Timeline.svg
Last edited by :::grimReaper:::; 06-17-2017 at 03:04 AM.