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?
FydeOS might be more in line with what you need. Based on ChromeOS, but without the Google account requirements and spyware. I installed this on my dad’s PC along with setting up DNS-based Ad blocking and it’s been rock solid. If he just needs a browser, that’s basically what it is.
That’s interesting, didn’t know that existed. I know OP didn’t ask about cost but I was curious if you’ve been paying for major version upgrades or subscribing for the yearly support? According to their pricing page only minor updates would be automatic for the free installs
https://fydeos.io/pricing/
so you’d need to manually upgrade the system whenever you need a major OS update to be done. It doesn’t seem quite as automatic as OP was hoping for but maybe it’s not a bad tradeoff if you only need to touch it once a year or whatever the software release schedule is.
He’s been on version 22 since I set it up back it February of this year. I don’t think a new major version had come out since then. (I actually haven’t thought to check) my plan was just to do a fresh install as needed for major updates, or when his current version stops receiving security updates since new features aren’t really a concern for him.