More programs seem to have direct installers as opposed to either remote command prompt (which didn't work for me) or the app store for Ubuntu, so I'm thinking it may work better for coming from being a relatively powerful Windows user who detests the MS store. thoughts from Linux folks?
I am inclined to try Mint first since I already have a boot stick for it, and it looks like everything I need has installers vs. the software center (which I found to be slow and unreliable), but we'll see I guess.
I think mint is easier, but yeah outdated versions is common. Mint incorporates flatpaks which are usually up to date (maybe a few days to a week behind at times), otherwise I direct download .deb files or Appimages for apps that have them, if needing the latest version. I install .debs with 'Gdebi' (will automatically replace an already installed version) and Appimages should just be executable in mint.
new misc. blog post about cryptids, putting on my ecologist hat again