I tried installing Arch once about 10 years ago. I couldn’t get it to work even though I admittedly didn’t try my hardest. I was in a PhD program at the time, so my mental resources and time were quite limited. Still, I had real experience as a sysadmin, so I wasn’t entirely computer illiterate. Every time I see a potential user switching to Linux asking for distro recommendations and others suggests Arch, I internally roll my eyes. Unless that user is a computer programmer or similar looking to prove their skills to themselves, that is a great way to get someone to never switch to Linux because they will more than likely become overwhelmed with the installation.

If you are switching to Linux for the first time and don’t want to spend a frustrating week reading a wiki and troubleshooting lots of minute but consequential issues, don’t start with Arch! Linux Mint is by far the easiest for new users. Give it a run for a while until you feel like switching to more demanding distros.

Share away, please! Btw, I believe everyone has the right to understand in their own way how autism and society interact, so please don’t feel the need to exert too much effort on pedantry unless you really want to. Personally, I appreciate diverse persepectives because I feel it gives me a well-rounded view of the situation. It’s like if we were all standing around an object. I can only see my side, but if we all shared our own perspectives, then we could see 360*.

I’ve thought about this too! How much of our traits are the actual autism, and how much of our traits are a result of abuse and marginalization?

I wasn’t always afraid of meeting new people, but after enough bullying and being taken advantage of, I learned to not trust my ability to judge others unless I’ve known them for a longgg time. So, please excuse me if I’m not excited to meet you, but I don’t know if you’re going to be an asshole or not yet, and I’m not going to be insincere about it.

I agree with you and am happy for all three of you guys! You and your partner found each other, and your kid has loving and caring parents.

In retrospect, I think my life would have been much easier and happier if my parents would have told me about my differences early on, while still withholding the diagnosis until I was probably in high school, which I’m assuming is when I would feel comfortable with my differences and needed a name for it.

As for the differences, it would have helped to compare me to my mother’s style of perceiving and thinking, highlight my strengths and weaknesses in relation to other kids, and then use my strengths to help with confidence and tackle deficiencies stemming from my weaknesses. There would be no shaming, but honest acknowledgement, appreciation, and helpful guidance to make me better prepared for independence and navigating the world autistically.

I hope that helps! Is there anything else you would like someone’s perspective on, elaboration or discussion?

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

thanks! I was trying the @username, but was not adding the instance. for some reason, perhaps a temporary glitch, the drop down menu was not popping up at the time I initially tried it.

test: @[email protected]