stillOS offers one of the best Linux onboarding experiences I've ever seen

best Linux onboarding experiences I've ever seen">

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Every Linux distribution approaches the onboarding process differently. Some take a minimal approach, while others hold new users' hands every step of the way.

And then there's the rare distro that finds the sweet spot where it makes it easy to take your first steps with Linux, but doesn't make long-time users feel like they're using a distribution with training wheels.

Also: 5 of the easiest, quickest Linux distros to install - and I've tried them all

stillOS is a distribution that nails the process of setting up Linux for the first time. Here's how the stillOS website describes the distro:

We got annoyed with Windows making us the product, and Linux being too complicated. So we made stillOS. We believe stillOS is the first truly consumer ready Linux distribution. Thanks to atomic updates, stillOS is able to stay as stable as a rock while still bringing you new features. App and OS updates are automatic, so there's no need to worry about keeping your OS and apps up to date.

Let me address that description for those who've never used Linux at all.

First, let's take atomic updates, a feature that new users needn't worry about. Why? These updates happen in the background, doing exactly what the description says: making the OS as stable as a rock. Because the updates are atomic, you don't have to bother about the update process, which will never cause the OS to go bonkers on you or (worse) break. This all happens in the background, and the next time you reboot, those updates are applied. Simple, safe, and stable.

OK, let's go back to the first statement -- that "stillOS is the first truly consumer-ready Linux distribution." The idea of being consumer-ready is intriguing. From my perspective, that goes a bit beyond just being an option for those who are new to Linux and into the realm of, say, "This OS is one that could be installed and sold on machines to consumers."

Also: How I turned my ancient Windows PC into a Chromebook for free - with FydeOS

Does stillOS live up to that bold claim? Almost.

If the developers can work out the issues I've surfaced (more on that in a bit), that claim could very well come true. Even so, I'd say that stillOS is already very close to being the first consumer-ready Linux distribution.