this post was submitted on 06 Aug 2025
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Linux
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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I recommend Debain, or else Linux Mint which is a derivative of (and fully compatible with Debian Linux) but has more recent software packages available to it.
Both Tailscale and Jellyfin have instructions on how to install onto Debian which are not too difficult to follow.
If you intend to use this computer as a server, Debian is probably better, it is lighter-weight and slightly more stable. If you intend to also use this computer as a daily driver, you might try Linux Mint instead, since it includes more of Ubuntu's more recent software builds in their app store (i.e. package repository), and it is helpful to have more recent builds of the most popular apps. I have heard it is also a bit easier to install games onto Linux Mint than Debian.
I have a blog post about how to pick a Linux written for people switching from Windows or Mac, if you are interested in a more detailed explanation.
I'll second mint.