which linux distro should you pick

ubuntu & kubuntu

  the best first distro if you want things to just work - no assembly required
- (k)ubuntu comes with all of the things you would expect your previous os to start with
  the details may be different, but most things will likely feel intuitive quickly
- if you do run into trouble, there /might/ be directions for multiple distros but
  you are nearly guaranteed to find directions for ubuntu (which will also work for kubuntu)
  (or debian, which will also likely work for you since ubuntu is built on debian)
  this is the best thing about ubuntu & kubuntu - it is /so/ well supported/documented
  for example, spotify gives directions only for ubuntu/debian
  and another, even mullvad gives directions for only ubuntu/debian & fedora
- both have ways to do just about everything with gui applications, like mac & windows
  they also offer the apt package manager, if you want to start doing things the linux way
- ubuntu uses gnome & kubuntu is ubuntu reskinned to use kde instead of gnome
  both gnome and kde are fully featured and the underlying distro is the same
- pick kubuntu for a clean windows-like aesthetic; ubuntu if you like minimalistic mac os
  as one who came from windows and prioritizes function over minimalism, i prefer kubuntu
- whichever you pick, choose the lts (long term support) version to avoid headaches

arch

  the best distro if you enjoy customizing, tinkering with, and managing your system
- installation provides only a minimal base; add to it and configure it to your preferences
- like most distros; you /can/ slap a de on top & it will look like any other distro w/ that de
- if you like how kde looks, you can just add kde to arch - or go with something cooler
  (but maybe not hyprland; even this transphobe feels like the community is too transphobic)
- arch is a rolling release distribution - you can stay at the bleeding edge with arch
- arch has a wiki so amazing and helpful that it is famous even with users of other distros
- there is an install script you can run after booting in the first time which makes it easy
  (so you have no excuse for using omarchy - made by a right-wing lover of llms)
- uses the pacman package manager which has fewer official packages than apt
  this is balanced with the existence of the aur; a vast collection of community packages
  there are security risks with using the aur; users will need to be technical enough to review   packages they wish to use to safeguard their own security if they wish to use the aur safely
  that said, i only use 9 aur packages; everything else i need or want is an official package
  the small set of programs i use via the aur i review the pkgbuild diffs for each each update
  (after reading fully to install a new app via the aur, you only need to read diffs to update)
  programs called aur helpers exist (i recommend paru) which make finding what you want easier   they don’t just help with the aur - they have other features which make finding official
  packages easier and make updating easier both for aur packages and official packages

others

- i believe (k)ubuntu is the easiest to start with & arch is the most customizable
  out of the mainstream linux distros - if something else calls to you, i hope you find it!