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Beginner's Guides for Switching to Linux?
(lemmy.ml)
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this post was submitted on 09 Aug 2023
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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I just moved from Windows to Linux (currently, PopOS) this year around.
You can try out beginner friendly distributions like PopOS, Linux Mint, ZorinOS which are Ubuntu-Debian based or Fedora. Like others have mentioned, applications made on Linux are expected to be cross-compatible with all distributions so your choice will mainly come down to what desktop environment you like as there are many with different feel to the user experience.
To know what works for you try these out in a VM if possible before biting the bullet so you know what all packages are present in Linux, and what all of your usecase will need to be managed through WINE/Proton compatibility layers.
You would want to avoid Ubuntu, and installing anything through Snap or PPA repositories if it ever comes up in your searches.
Thank you for the response! Those you said are getting a lot of mentions so I think Mint will be a good first choice to make the swap.
No problem mate !
Once you're on Mint's page, just have a look over the other desktop environments (DE) offered. Screenshots will not tell you the entire picture, but at least you can have a look at what you don't find appealing.
But remember not to really worry about the DE, you can always install another one and remove the one you don't like.
Okay will do!
@curiousgoo @WR5 "You would want to avoid Ubuntu, and installing anything through Snap or PPA repositories if it ever comes up in your searches."
Snaps have improved greatly and there's nothing to stop people from using Flatpak instead. Also, it's not clear why you suggested not using PPA repositories, there are risks, but there are advantages too. Ubuntu has a huge support community, I've been using Ubuntu happily since 2007, tried many other distros, but always go back.
Mainly from a security standpoint PPAs are something I would want to avoid.
I've not used Snap since I tried it out a couple of years ago, it wasn't as good as Flatpak in terms of performance, and there were concerns which got highlighted like it's entirely proprietary and hosted by Canonical only, I heard Snap was being forced even when you would want through system packages, and something about forced updates.
I get why Flatpak is better in terms of sandboxing each application, but I personally prefer to use system packages wherever I can.
Why would you recommend Canonical/Ubuntu to new users when there are better distros without proprietary snap stores you have to work around.
Ubuntu is a good and stable distro, the community is great and it's good that you feel at home with it. But that doesn't make it an obvious choice for beginners when there are simply better alternatives for them - talking mainly about Mint.