Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Ever stressed over the choice of Linux distros? Manjaro, Fedora, Linux Mint, Pop!_OS and more. In this video, I'll help you pick your first (or your next) Linux distro!
There are two things you should consider when you’re deciding which distro to use:
* What do you need to do with your computer?
* What hardware do you have?
Your answers to these questions will inform which distro you select. And don’t worry, I’ll have recommendations based on the most common answers!
Read the companion blog post here: gardinerbryant.com/beginners-guide-to-linux-choosing-a-distro
*My Game*
❯ Get the source code: github.com/heavyelementinc/dudelings-foss
❯ Dudelings on Humble: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/9LWQeW
❯ Dudelings: Arcade Sportsball: store.steampowered.com/bundle/41202/Dudelings_Arcade_Sportsball_Deluxe_Edition/?utm_source=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.heavyelement.dudelings&pcampaignid=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Itch.io: heavy-element.itch.io/dudelings
*Affiliate links*
Services I Recommend:
❯ Proton Drive: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=43&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton Pass: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=38&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton VPN: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=26&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton Mail: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=7&aff_id=10074
Best Steam Deck Accessories:
❯ SanDisk 1 TB card: amzn.to/3z8mMfH
❯ Steam Deck Dock: amzn.to/3PDjgkt
❯ Steam Deck accessories: amzn.to/4c2XKkM
❯ DualSense: amzn.to/3WR1u1R
❯ Gulikit KK3 Max controller amzn.to/4dqRaoC
❯ DualSense Edge: amzn.to/4cuzIyd
❯ 8Bitdo Pro 2: amzn.to/46R7hcz
❯ Amazon Suggested Products: amzn.to/4fAha2h
*Elsewhere on the Web*
❯ ✍🏻 My Writings: gardinerbryant.com
❯ 🎙️ My podcast: podcast.subscribeto.me
❯ ✉️ Email Newsletter: heavyelement.com/newsletter
❯ 🐘 Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@gardiner_bryant
❯ 💬 Revolt: rvlt.gg/gk6w4G3P
❯ 🌐 Heavy Element: heavyelement.com
*Support the Show*
❯ ✒️ Become a Member: gardinerbryant.com/#/portal
❯ 🕴️My Games: store.steampowered.com/search/?publisher=Heavy%20Element
❯ 🎮 Humble affiliate: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/4GmJdL
❯ 🕹️ GOG affiliate: adtr.co/ct8fzu
❯ 🛒 Amazon affiliate: amzn.to/3iYb4gd
❯ ✉️ Proton affiliate: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=7&aff_id=10074
❯ 🪙 Bitcoin: bc1qgz3r4yhzvxm7s8srutkvlnm2c70n8gga4j259e
About Gardiner Bryant: A native Maine resident, Gardiner (yes, that's his first name) is an enthusiastic Linux evangelist, a believer in the efficacy and superiority of the Free and Open Source way, and President of Heavy Element. Heavy Element offers web design, media production, and YouTube consulting services to individuals and companies in Maine and beyond.
heavyelement.com
Gardiner Bryant is a privacy advocate and public speaker on the topic. Learn more about his speaking series and schedule an engagement at your institution at gardinerbryant.com
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Question 1: What do you use your computer for
02:05 The State of Gaming
03:03 The State of Web Browsing
03:24 Question 2: What hardware do you have
03:53 AMD/Intel recommendations
04:38 Comparing Package Managers
05:17 What is a Package Manager
06:24 App replacement recommendations
06:57 Adobe Photoshop alternatives
07:17 Adobe Illustrator alternatives
07:34 Adobe Premier alternatives
08:25 Adobe Audition alternatives
09:04 3D Design app
09:20 Try out your options
Ever stressed over the choice of Linux distros? Manjaro, Fedora, Linux Mint, Pop!_OS and more. In this video, I'll help you pick your first (or your next) Linux distro!
There are two things you should consider when you’re deciding which distro to use:
* What do you need to do with your computer?
* What hardware do you have?
Your answers to these questions will inform which distro you select. And don’t worry, I’ll have recommendations based on the most common answers!
Read the companion blog post here: gardinerbryant.com/beginners-guide-to-linux-choosing-a-distro
*My Game*
❯ Get the source code: github.com/heavyelementinc/dudelings-foss
❯ Dudelings on Humble: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/9LWQeW
❯ Dudelings: Arcade Sportsball: store.steampowered.com/bundle/41202/Dudelings_Arcade_Sportsball_Deluxe_Edition/?utm_source=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.heavyelement.dudelings&pcampaignid=yt-every-video
❯ Dudelings on Itch.io: heavy-element.itch.io/dudelings
*Affiliate links*
Services I Recommend:
❯ Proton Drive: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=43&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton Pass: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=38&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton VPN: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=26&aff_id=10074
❯ Proton Mail: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=7&aff_id=10074
Best Steam Deck Accessories:
❯ SanDisk 1 TB card: amzn.to/3z8mMfH
❯ Steam Deck Dock: amzn.to/3PDjgkt
❯ Steam Deck accessories: amzn.to/4c2XKkM
❯ DualSense: amzn.to/3WR1u1R
❯ Gulikit KK3 Max controller amzn.to/4dqRaoC
❯ DualSense Edge: amzn.to/4cuzIyd
❯ 8Bitdo Pro 2: amzn.to/46R7hcz
❯ Amazon Suggested Products: amzn.to/4fAha2h
*Elsewhere on the Web*
❯ ✍🏻 My Writings: gardinerbryant.com
❯ 🎙️ My podcast: podcast.subscribeto.me
❯ ✉️ Email Newsletter: heavyelement.com/newsletter
❯ 🐘 Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@gardiner_bryant
❯ 💬 Revolt: rvlt.gg/gk6w4G3P
❯ 🌐 Heavy Element: heavyelement.com
*Support the Show*
❯ ✒️ Become a Member: gardinerbryant.com/#/portal
❯ 🕴️My Games: store.steampowered.com/search/?publisher=Heavy%20Element
❯ 🎮 Humble affiliate: humblebundleinc.sjv.io/4GmJdL
❯ 🕹️ GOG affiliate: adtr.co/ct8fzu
❯ 🛒 Amazon affiliate: amzn.to/3iYb4gd
❯ ✉️ Proton affiliate: go.getproton.me/aff_c?offer_id=7&aff_id=10074
❯ 🪙 Bitcoin: bc1qgz3r4yhzvxm7s8srutkvlnm2c70n8gga4j259e
About Gardiner Bryant: A native Maine resident, Gardiner (yes, that's his first name) is an enthusiastic Linux evangelist, a believer in the efficacy and superiority of the Free and Open Source way, and President of Heavy Element. Heavy Element offers web design, media production, and YouTube consulting services to individuals and companies in Maine and beyond.
heavyelement.com
Gardiner Bryant is a privacy advocate and public speaker on the topic. Learn more about his speaking series and schedule an engagement at your institution at gardinerbryant.com
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Question 1: What do you use your computer for
02:05 The State of Gaming
03:03 The State of Web Browsing
03:24 Question 2: What hardware do you have
03:53 AMD/Intel recommendations
04:38 Comparing Package Managers
05:17 What is a Package Manager
06:24 App replacement recommendations
06:57 Adobe Photoshop alternatives
07:17 Adobe Illustrator alternatives
07:34 Adobe Premier alternatives
08:25 Adobe Audition alternatives
09:04 3D Design app
09:20 Try out your options
