Recently had to help a relative who still uses windows, so here’s a freebie from Linux:
You can use super + number to launch any pinned program on the taskbar. For example let’s say you have your browser right of the start button and file explorer on the next spot right, pressing super+1 launches the browser and super+2 the explorer
Edit: super = windows logo key
Ethernet with built-in netcat
Old school user here, back in 2005ish Ubuntu was straightforward, even had “wubi” to install it as a windows app, the site was friendly and easy to navigate (compared to Debian’s). Another big plus, they shipped the distro CDs for free worldwide, which was a big deal while I was stuck on a shitty ADSL connection that had constant drops.
Mint came a bit later and the big plus was OOTB codecs support. Back in the day that was one of the first walls most users came across, while Ubuntu pushed for a paid mp3 codec (fluendo?) Mint had most audio and video codecs working right after setup.
The UI wasn’t that different between the two, considering Ubuntu was running gnome2 (what mate immitates nowadays)
They do for some time now, at least on both workstation and silverblue you get prompted on the first boot and a reminder after a while on gnome-software
Get an HDMI-CEC adapter, have your machine boot straight into big picture mode and pin Plex/jellyfin to your favorites so its the first thing you see.
Alternatively, get a Chromecast and only switch to that HDMI for media, and leave the PC for gaming. Heck, if CEC works all right in both ways, you might be able to navigate on your PC with the Chromecast remote.
I’m definitely not a fan of Google myself, but I can’t deny the ease of use for less savvy ppl to just press “ON” on the little white remote and have it turn on the TV, switch to the correct input and turn on the soundbar.