Want to thank the OP and commenters for this. I am not a hacker, and am hanging on to a Windows 10 and 7 (yes) laptop. I need to make some time and get one of the Linux systems. It would help a great deal if someone wrote or pointed to a blog that has step by step instructions. Something like a Hello World including what to use for common applications like browsing, writing documents, and spreadshees. Thank you.
> if someone wrote or pointed to a blog that has step by step instructions
You still have not answered. That is saddening.
Ah well. Here are 2 of my efforts.
This is my 1st try for my current employer. I still stand by most of it, though.
P1: https://www.theregister.com/Print/2010/06/21/reg_linux_guide...
P2: https://www.theregister.com/Print/2010/06/23/reg_linux_guide...
P3: https://www.theregister.com/Print/2010/06/24/reg_linux_guide...
My more recent take with some updated de-cruftifying steps:
https://www.theregister.com/2022/07/22/linux_nonapproved_lap...
I talked about choosing a distro here:
https://www.theregister.com/2022/05/31/the_cynics_guide_to_l...
Executive summary: use Linux Mint. The latest version, with the default Cinnamon desktop. Anyone who disagrees has an agenda and it's not ease of use, so can probably be ignored.
There are literally hundreds of them. What do you need? What do you want?