I like Elementary OS (so far) because it feels a bit like Apple's OS X and from what little I've been able to discover it is focused on being a desktop operating system. The "killer feature" for me for a desktop operating system is that it "just works" with minimal involvement on my part. To that end, the lazy end-user questions: Will it self-update without my needing to do anything (after installing)? If so, will this include upgrades to new named versions? Is it a time-of-day thing where I need my computer on when the task runs or is it smart enough to sort out what to do after a boot? Does the software in the app center self-update? This one is a bit more confusing as the line between OS and application is much fuzzier in the Linux world. Much of what comes as core OS on one distribution seams to be optional on another. What is the state of support for Windows gaming? Or, is there a nice gaming optimized Wine package somewhere that I can easily install? I am aware that there is Steam on Linux but only one of the games I play regularly has a Linux version. Is there a fully functional Skype solution (including video chat and showing screen/program)? This, for me, needs to be Skype as I'm not going to get family or work to change to something else. Using Wine would be an option for me. Do others have lazy end-user questions I forgot to ask? If so, what?
Will it self-update without my needing to do anything (after installing)? The system will tell you when there's new updates available, but you have to self hit the install button. If so, will this include upgrades to new named versions? As far as I know it's not possible to upgrade to newer version of elementary - you need to do a new clean install. That's was the option in the past so I don't know iff they have changed that. But I haven't heard anything regarding that. Is it a time-of-day thing where I need my computer on when the task runs or is it smart enough to sort out what to do after a boot? It really depends. The update manager can easely run in the background while you do other tasks. If you are on a fairly new computer you shouldn't feel any performance issue while updating. But updating as soon as possible is also smart, there'll be security updates and more. So for safty it is smaart. Does the software in the app center self-update? Usually it's security updates you'll get and you still need to hit the install button. If there's an app with a newer version available and it have some features you can't live without, you can search for a PPA for that app. But as a rule it's not a very good idea to add PPA's due to security risks. But it's up to you if you want to add PPA's to your softwarecenter, remember to read 11 things to do in elementary after installing if you're are planning to add PPA's. - https://itsfoss.com/things-to-do-after-installing-elementary-os-loki/ What is the state of support for Windows gaming? Or, is there a nice gaming optimized Wine package somewhere that I can easily install? The easist way is Crossover for Linux but costs, I use it myself. It even tells you what you're missing of libs and so on to get he program/game to run - https://www.codeweavers.com/products The next best things are PlayOnLinux it's free but may lack some of the easisyness like Crossover but still good: https://www.playonlinux.com/en/ Is there a fully functional Skype solution (including video chat and showing screen/program)? Skype is available for linux, just hit over there and get the package, remember to read about 11 things to do in elementary after installing first - https://www.skype.com/da/download-skype/skype-for-linux/ regards A.I.
I haven't used it, but https://lutris.net/ was recommended to me a few days ago. It looks pretty good. I haven't checked the store on my laptop running Elementary OS, but it is there on my HTPC running Mint 18, so I assume it is on EOS as well.
"Skype for Linux Alpha is no more — say hello to Skype for Linux Beta!" http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2017/03/skype-linux-beta-video-calling So properly check their beta version.
