I honestly can't see what's so good about Linux Mint. Especially for Windows users. I think I've tried it over 5 times and everytime I had to deal with various problems mostly related to graphics. Currently I've managed to configure it to work properly and use it as my third OS at my workplace, but I really want to change it for something else.

same just get zorin os or manjaro

Well, Manjaro installed as my second OS on my workplace PC and my second time trying to get into it. And unlike first time, this time I have some troubles running it, especially installing and updating apps. And to be honest I don't think it's for me. I really feel comfortable using Ubuntu and I have more or less successful experience with Debian, so I'll probably will stick with them for my personal and working needs.

But we're talking about GOG support for Linux in general and it would be better if no one was left behind. But recently I did learn that supporting main distros is not enough to solve in what current situation GOG is, which basically brings us back to the fact that they need more staff members who will work with developers in order to support and maintain installers for various distros. An impossible feat I think.

Steam might support Linux in general with Proton, but while it's not an emulation, it doesn't make applications native for the Linux system. What it encourages is for the devs to continue make Windows games. It really sucks for people like me who want games to be natively programmed for Linux, but it also solves the biggest problem with gaming on any supported Linux in general.

I don't recall having any particular "graphics problems" when installing Mint to several of my PCs, they just work out of the box. However, I usually install Mint (or any Linux) to older hardware so I am unsure if with the latest GPUs its drivers are not quite mature yet. I guess I will find out soon if I try to install it to my newest laptop with NVidia Geforce RTX 3080 (mobile GPU).

The reason Mint has a good reputation is because it is based on and quite close to the most popular home/desktop version of Linux (Ubuntu; so almost all the instructions etc. that work for Ubuntu work also for Mint), but Mint tries to steer clear of some of the Ubuntu things that people don't like. That is how I ended up using Mint, I got quite fed up with something that Canonical did with Ubuntu, and saw Mint was like Ubuntu, but without those things I didn't like in Ubuntu.

So what is stopping you? If Mint is not really working for you, why do you keep using it?

That is the beauty of Linux, you have several options and you can select the one that fulfills your needs the best.

If you are happy with Ubuntu (or Debian), I am unsure why you would need to even consider Mint, as it is based on Ubuntu. To me that sounds similar as trying to run Windows 10 and 11 side by side on the same PC, just because.

I switched to Mint because I was not happy with something in Ubuntu, but otherwise wanted to stay close to Ubuntu.

I haven't seen anything like that, but then I am not fully sure what "remove a program from panel" even means... :)

By panel, do you mean the bar at the bottom (or wherever you have placed it) where the "start" button is to bring up the menu etc.? I guess I could try what happens if I remove an icon from it, but I am not expecting anything odd to happen. I have moved around the program icons on it several times.

Mint Cinnamon resembles Windows from a visual standpoint. To some users it's more familiar than, say, GNOME or Pantheon. It's simple to use and fairly stable, since it has that Ubuntu LTS base. Also, installing drivers is not difficult.
If Mint is not your cup of tea or is causing issues, there's always Zorin, as Orkhepaj mentioned. The latest version was well received, so it might be worth a try. Or you can go for something KDE.
When it comes to Manjaro, all of their official editions (XFCE, GNOME, KDE) look good right now.
It really depends what you're looking for: stability or latest software? For those switching from Windows, stability, familiarity and ease of use are some of the most important factors, which is why you will often see or hear recommendations such as Mint, Zorin, or even Ubuntu (and some of its flavors, such as Kubuntu). As of late, Pop OS is gaining a lot of ground, so it will probably come up as another recommended distro.

Yes, that's the one. I usually place it at the top, but in both Manjaro and Mint is at the bottom by default.
Please do, if possible try adding and removing Rhythmbox: Start->Multimedia->right click on Rhythmbox and add to panel. I've seen this happen on Mint, Xubuntu and Debian 11 so far.
If it will crash, just use Alt+F2, type xfce4-panel and hit Enter. That should bring it up again.

That's the thing. People are unhappy with Ubuntu. Even though I've started using Linux since late 2018, I'm still learning about it in general. And I've been told a lot of times that sticking to the same distro isn't the way Linux should be experienced. And it does help to look into other stuff, but my main goal to actually stop migrating from distro to distro and make a permanent choice. And with each month it seems like my journey is at it's end.

On my PC at work I'm installing different distros in my little free time. It's an old PC with GeForce 710 and some old Intel dual core. And believe it or not I actually would run Win10 and Win11 side by side if I had such opportunity.

Yeah, Cinnamon is what I'm using currently and for the most part I like it, but resemblance to Windows is basically a trap for newcomers. I wonder how many KDE Plasma users would get in the same situation with Windows 11 UI...

I also want to mention that I'm not switching from Windows. While I really dislike Windows 10 and don't know if I will like Windows 11, I still will continue to use Windows regardless how bad they can get. Linux became my secondary OS, so I'm using dual boot on my home PC with Windows and Ubuntu.

You should use whatever fits your needs, nothing wrong with that. In my case, I haven't been happy with Windows for years, especially with 10. So much so, that I rarely boot it up nowadays.
I'm not that familiar with KDE, but I found it to be lighter than GNOME and more customisable - I guess this is one of its selling points, so to speak. Some of the most impressive customisations I've seen were for KDE.
As a note, I'm currently using Pop OS 21.04 and I have to say I haven't encountered any problems so far. A nice experience overall, gaming included.

There was an academic interest for me with Macintosh. Back when I was a student, I had a dream to try whatever MacOS was available at the time and I still didn't experienced it. Linux was proposed for our practice lessons, but it was decided to work with Oracle's database software instead. The reason I ever bothered trying Linux was came from nostalgia for oldies like Windows ME and XP. At that time I've started to learn VirtualBox since it related to Oracle. And despite VirtualBox is sufficiet for testing purpouses, I was not satisfied with VM's performance.

While Ubuntu was my entry point, people on internet encourage to try as much distros as you can and decide which is best for you. And as like with browsers I decide why not? There is things I dislike in Ubuntu, so I want to see for myself. Maybe someday I will try dealing with Gentoo, but for now I was provided with a list of distros that can interest me and having personal experience helps shaping a better opinion in general.

I know it's started with me questioning why Linux Mint held in high regard. It was not my intention to start a war of opinions. So let's get back to the question of: "Why is GoG so unfriendly toward Linux? ".

Adapt to the world, not the other way around.
That's why Linux failed and will always fail.
Enjoy your little bubble and miss out on great things.

Without Linux, you would have never been able to post your little rant.

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."

That quote is brutal.

Funny enough its a legit fact when the Windows social media account was asked about the operating system those at Windows use.. It was admitted the company had fully went to Linux ..Hell Windows even made their own branch of Linux and put out a guide on installing and running Linux... thus even Windows admits Linux is better do to those facts at least Windows indiretly did...