The very first computers were programmed using physical switches and buttons. Punched cards came later. Being a programmer in those days was a lot harder than it is now!

If you’re supporting it, then one you are familiar with would be my recommendation. If you’re both beginners, then Mint.

You could say they got ahead of the game.

They were a nice-to-have!

Out of date Nvidia drivers was the main reason I moved from Tumbleweed to EndeavourOS, at the time they were a couple of generations behind and didn’t even have explicit sync.

Ah! The glory days!