Like I see it:
- flatpak for installing GUI apps (but not all apps are packaged as flatpak)
- brew use to install text like tools that run inside terminal (e.g.
brew install mcthat is like Total Commander but runs inside terminal - probably not the best for dad) - rpm-ostree should be used for programs that requires root privilege e.g. VPNs (if not supported by Tailscale…), low lever network tool e.g. Wireshark, low level disk tools e.g. VeraCrypt and similar
- distrobox should be used for servers that listen to TCP/IP port e.g install PostgreSQL database
- distrobox should be used for other cases too like installing software also GUI that are not available as flatpaks (much better to use distrobox then rpm-ostree; last one will bite you some day)
Probably the closes to Total Commandes (Windows only app) is Double Commander.
I have written one example few months ago how to install GUI apps using BoxBuddy, it should be easy to follow and adapt to Double Commander. For example https://software.opensuse.org//download.html?project=home%3AAlexx2000%3Adoublecmd-svn&package=doublecmd-gtk is link for multiple distros you can pick e.g. Fedora 41 repo and install (but you need to select Fedora 41 in BoxBuddy).