I also used a VM to try out gnome, but it was a VM so it was really laggy and whatnot. I only used that for online trolling.
Back in < September of 2024, I became infatuated with Linux. I would go to the boys and girls club after school, and one of those days, one of the computers was broken, so my friend installed a fresh copy of ubuntu onto it. Coincidentally, (I forget the exact dates) a couple months ago, I found Bog's "The Linux Experience" which made me so interested, so much so I mentioned it to my grandma, who then lended me her old laptop, as she gotten a new one. I still use this laptop, I'm using it to write this right now.
I would use that broken club computer for testing out OS systems until I landed on linux mint. A list from memory include stuff like ubuntu, debian (my daily driver), and endevour. I put linux mint on it and changed it to "Evil linux" I even found out how to change the splash screen. That single mint installation was probably the most ive ever learned just by tinkering around with things.
Recently, I've regained that hyperfixation for linux distros, "fixing" my laptop and reinstalling debian on it, (accidentally filling up one of the internal drives, making it unusable).
I also used a VM to try out gnome, but it was a VM so it was really laggy and whatnot. I only used that for online trolling.