Hatch
Most desktop enviornments work with most distros. There will be a selection of linux users that say it doesnt matter because though its true you can make any distro look like each other. The navigations can change depending on the distro you use. I agree with most of the comments here, since you are starting out, mint is a solid choice. You get the backings of ubuntu, + its very user frienldy. A gui for packages/drivers and good sweep of software for daily usage. Im using it now since my arc 380 gpu is supported on it to use as the host for my virtual machines. ( i virtualize other distros/BSD and windows [for those pesky windows only games/programs])
One of my favorite clip of dale was when he was up against the zoning board for the tower of power.
I read this series, though i stopped so it can get more volumes as i had caught up to the recent one at the time. Its gonna be interesting to see an anime of this.
The fighting scenes were pretty badass. Though it had me wonderin if i have ever scene a game were you can time revives. Which i dont think i have ever played a game like that.
As someone who runs VMs, i suggest you dont. Ivd been doing it for about 2 years and i still have moments where lets say i want to expand my storage and a bork it, or accidently removed a virt selection on virt manager by mistake.
An easy solution. Run conty.
https://github.com/Kron4ek/Conty
It creates a virtualized arch linux with all the needs for gaming without having you worry about the heavy stuff. All the list of programs already on the list including other launchers for other games.
Here is a video explaining it.
Its still going strong.
Though there are a lot more tools.
Still sysinit system and as reliable as ever on its stability.
New things are stuff such as -sbopkg(can deploy slackbuilds a lot faster as it will sync, custom the slackbuilds scripts if you want, build and install applications[though you still have to install depenencies in there proper order])
- Sboui gui style package management tool that will work with sbopkg and take care of the dependecy resolution for the applications you want to install(includes previous mentioned details of sbopkg)
I can say even on me when i was new to using it, slackware is forgiving if you make mistakes.
Alien bob still making modern packages to use as an alternative package resource if you want stuff like vlc, libreoffice and such that do not come with the default package resource.
Several things with this.
- introducing programing and linux are two seperate things, though they do bridge when running linux, it would be asking em to learn one or the other. ( offer something already easy linux distro, to learn linux passively while focusing on programing.
Resources:
Learn linux TV - playlist available for linux and programing
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxQKHvKbmSzGMvUrVtJYnUA
Unfa - learn linux and music production
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAYKj_peyESIMDp5LtHlH2A
Good audio recording program thats free Ardour ( if he becomes good and makes a living on it, pls donate to the devs)
Learn programing for free Freecodecamp.org
If you are in the US. Ask the college/university for taking walk ins for classes. They allow you to attend classes for free to check out if you want to be a student. Depending on the school there will be no limit. ( honestly tech fields are mostly certifications and experience; a degree with student loans not necessary)
Local library, ive found books for programing languages to check out, use the cities resources.
Conclusion
All these options mean nothing unless the person does it and applys. You need to accept that no matter how much you suggest/guide/offer , that at the end of the day the choice is theirs. Especially at an age that wants to figure things out on their own.
Best of luck.