I need a distro that is stable with a particular need to set up zero input automatic updates. If an update asks for a password or needs user interaction in basically any way it simply won’t get done. All he needs is a reliable platform for browsing the web. I am replacing an Ubuntu system that has apparently just stopped working (I have not had a chance to examine it yet) after years and years of not getting proper updates after he forgot his password.
Something like Bazzite is intriguing because of it’s locked down environment although he is very much not a gamer. Is there something locked down like Bazzite but with long term LTS release cycle?
Define what you mean by “locked down”. If you don’t give your user superuser privileges, every distro is locked down because the user can only ever write to their own /home
I’d strongly recommend Mint:
While I support the general advice, “very Windows-esque UI” is not a benefit for less tech-literate people. It’s the former Windows-users that conditioned themselves to expect Windows UI with all it’s shortcomings. The average elderly relative who doesn’t use anything but ~3 pre-installed programs does not care normally and can get much eaiser and more intutive UIs than those close to Windows.
Oh, you’d be surprised how the average elderly relative responds to the absence of a “start menu button” and total lack of desktop items on vanilla GNOME…
Seconded. Absolutely what I’d install in this kind of situation. I have an old machine set up for my wife with Mint. She only uses it to check her bank account, basically. So far zero issues.
I can also recommend Linux Mint. It’s a great general purpose option for both beginners and experienced users.