Which distro of Linux is the simplest for a new Linux user as far as?
Which distro of Linux is the simplest for a new Linux user as far as application and device driver installs? (Where it isn't necessary to use a 'repository') Actually, in most distros, the repositories are not something you need to think about. They will be already set up, and you just have install what you want; it will come from the repos automagically. Note that there are 40,000+ programs in the repos, checked and tested, and their authenticity is verified by the package manager while installing. This is one of the reasons why Linux users do not have to deal with viruses very often - all your installs can come from a trusted source. And that method is far easier and faster than the alternative - which is compiling and installing from source. That can be long-winded and error-prone (or, some will say, a learning experience). So I recommend you try Mint Cinnamon for your first distro, and that you use the Software Manager utility to install. Youll never see a repository, but still get all the advantages. PS You mentioned installing device drivers. You will be delighted to find that your days of struggling with drivers are over. Linux already has drivers for the vast majority of your devices; and if you follow Mints guidelines and have your machine connected to the internet while the Mint Installer is running, it will discover all your devices and go off and fetch drivers for them. I have been fiddling with Linux for 15 years (using fulltime for 5 years now). In all that time, I have had to install a driver precisely ONCE (for a wifi dongle). And that was 10 years ago.