Linux for a beginner? \ stacker news ~tech

1263 sats \ 21 comments \ @BoJack 7 Jun tech

Hello all I am looking to finally get started with linux and was just looking for good places to start. Is it even worth switching at this point? I have used Windows always and am familiar with the ins and outs of the operating system. But now I would prefer an operating system that I could feel more secure using. Where is the best place for someone like me to begin? Thanks in advance for any help.

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241 sats \ 1 reply \ @anon 7 Jun

Did the same about 5 years ago. My advice; don’t switch just yet. Start replacing your regular apps with apps that also run on Linux. Many apps that run on Linux desktop also have windows & macOS versions that have similar functionality. Get used to them, make sure they work for you. In the meantime, start learning; Linuxjourney.com is a great place to start. Itsfoss.com also has tons of info & app recommendations. Finally, when you’re ready, I recommend starting with system 76 Linux distribution pop os. Very beginner friendly, tons of documentation. Good luck.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @BoJack OP 8 Jun

Dang this is really good advice I hadn’t even thought of getting used to Linux applications. It’s almost like a slow drip of information to become accustomed to it. Definitely doing this, thanks!

42 sats \ 0 replies \ @mrsu 9 Jun

Honestly, I just jumped straight in about 5 years ago. Best thing I ever did.

If you want an easy time time, install Linux Mint. If you want to understand Linux, then install Arch from scratch using the Arch Wiki (do it a few times).

I'd recommend spinning up a virtual machine on your Windows host first, and make use of the snapshots feature to roll back any breaking changes make when screwing around.

My advice would be to ditch all of the Windows apps that you've become comfortable with. Some may have native support with Linux, but its a nightmare trying to get them to work if they don't (wine is a pain).

Get comfortable with the command line. I'm an avid Vim user now. After getting through the steep learning curve, its now the only text editor I use. It is also the fastest and most efficient way to type.

When you master the CLI, there's no need for bloated software like Word or LibreOffice, you can convert markdown documents you wrote using Vim to Pdfs using tools like Pandoc.

If you have any questions or need support, then please feel free to reach out, I'm more than happy to give advice or support on your Linux journey !

31 sats \ 0 replies \ @030e0dca83 7 Jun

Is it even worth switching at this point?

Look at this post #563810. It's always a great idea to have plan B if you're looking for a freedom

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @1GLENCoop 8 Jun

Ubuntu is the way. If you're not entirely sure yet, once you download the .iso and boot up, you can choose to dual-boot. This will give you the choice what you want to use, windows or linux, each time you boot up.

22 sats \ 0 replies \ @didiplaywell 7 Jun

Short answer: install Ubuntu.

Medium answer: Ubuntu is best to start and stay for it's ubiquitous and has become synonymous of Linux. That haves the all important consequence of standardization of content for that distribution, which you will need to look for apps and troubleshooting.

Final answer: it entirely depends on what you are looking for. If you value what Linux offers over the comfort of Windows, it will worth it. If not so much, it will not. Ask yourself seriously: what are you trying to achieve by considering switching? Is Linux the answer?

22 sats \ 0 replies \ @OT 7 Jun

Ubuntu seems to be the most common Linux desktop OS. Better start with that

22 sats \ 0 replies \ @kdnolan 7 Jun

Ubuntu 💯

https://opsecacademy.org/ more info on here 🫡

22 sats \ 0 replies \ @nyan 7 Jun

Hi @BoJack (nice series)

I'd recommend something Debian based like Ubuntu. It's very beginner friendly yet grows with you as you learn. It's perhaps not the 'purest' Linux distro out there but if you start with one of those you might get discouraged to continue which would be a pity. Furthermore, Ubuntu has a large community and therefore many questions that you might have should be answered somewhere online.

Congrats on taking the step

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @cd 7 Jun

The truth is, installing/using Linux today is vastly more simple than it ever was even 5 years ago, let alone the wild west of migrating people there 15-20 years ago or more

I think you'll be just fine no matter which path you choose, so don't sweat making the "right" choice on the first try - if you have the time, go ahead and experiment, play, tinker, etc

Escaping the unholy suction of the Microsoft data vacuum is more critical now than ever before

Regardless, you can start here for a tool used to create a bootable USB from any old flavor you like:

https://rufus.ie/en/

As for what kind of Linux?

Linux Mint is intended for very-non-technical beginners with extra efforts to make the transition seamless especially for Windows users - you can grab that here:

https://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=311

Keep in mind that simplicity often comes with limitations, so doing much beyond an average desk jockey's day might take you off-road

Many would say Ubuntu, especially for how common it is in the wild and thus how much support you'll find online searching for answers to any problems you may encounter - that can be found here:

https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop

However, after a couple decades of Linux and other *nix variants as daily drivers, I haven't always had the best experience with the most popular flavors of the day

What I can say is this: I have been tasked to install Linux for people that have never used anything but smartphones before, and there is one Linux flavor I have installed for these types of people and never once received a call for support

That would be Manjaro, which can be found here:

https://manjaro.org/download/

It's really hard to go wrong starting with ANY Linux these days, so don't worry about getting EVERYthing right on your first adventure here

Go with whatever you happen to like and the rest will work out, but maybe consider trying new things once in a while

WELCOME TO THE LINUX PARTY, where you can either stuff yourself snacking on all the variety or sit down for a full meal where pretty much everything on the menu is really good

SIDE NOTES:

Manjaro, running on Arch Linux, follows what is called a Rolling Release model meaning it is designed to keep upgrading forever with minimal issues

Exploring Linux options, you might see mention of LTS or Long Term Support - this is often indicative of a Point Release model

This term LTS is reassuring for most users (and sometimes me) as it means we don't usually have to think about it for a while just in case other things take priority over caring about what version some computer is running

Sometimes however, I think rarely, LTS also means that (as I discovered with Ubuntu and other Debian variants years ago) gutting the system and starting almost entirely from scratch just to catch up again may eventually be necessary

Anyway, now I go for the rolling release models where everything is more designed to keep everything upgrading indefinitely with minimal hiccups

These side notes on release models probably don't matter as much these days, especially for those just getting started, but it is definitely something I wish I were aware of sooner rather than later

All that aside, Manjaro simply hasn't quit on me yet across my desktops and laptops over recent years while Plasma is a welcome refresh compared to all the boxy clunk and tweaking junk I previously thought was standard issue for Linux

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @2053456d48 7 Jun

Ofcourse Linux is the best if you are looking for open source OS. Get your hands on Linux in no time, linux can really help you understand and explore broader views of how network and staff like internet works. I will suggest you can just install VMware or any other virtual machine within your windows OS and get started with Linux. Or you can also go with dual boot option. Though virtual machine is much safer to explore if you want to play and test with Linux. Ubuntu and Pop OS are the most beginner friendly distros you can start with.

Thank you 🙏

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @034b483ee7 7 Jun

I've done the same several years ago and it's still in progress. I would load VirtualBox on your Windows host and install Pop!_OS from system76.com. This will give you a similar GUI experience. Also, I carried over using PowerShell on Linux it works well.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @0xIlmari 7 Jun

Is it even worth switching at this point?

You should absolutely make, or start planning for, the switch for several reasons:

Windows does not respect your privacy (highlighted by recent AI screenshotting scandal).
Windows is riddled with malware, not just because of its popularity, it's just trash at security.
Your ability to customise your desktop is only a fraction of what you can do with most Linux desktop environments.
When the soydev geniuses at Microsoft decide it's time for a "UI refresh", they will shove it down your throat with the next update.
Knowing "ins and outs" of Windows is not a marketable IT skill, if that's important to your career. By using Linux, you'll learn so much more.

To get your feet wet, you don't even have to leave the familiar ground of Windows. Just install WSL and get yourself familiar with the command line (you tend to use it a lot on Linux not because it's cool but because it's efficient), structure of the filesystem etc.

Next up, find a "Live CD" version of a popular distro, like Ubuntu, burn it to a USB stick and give it a spin. Try executing your most common workflows in that environment. You can even configure this stick such that changes you make (customisations, installed apps, personal documents) are persistent between boots.

Final step would be to actually install a distro on your hardware, either alongside Windows or on separate hardware, and start your migration.

You did not specify what your profile as a computer user is, so I can't alleviate any specific reservations you might have. But I can tell you that I am a hardcore gamer, and that reason kept me on Windows for a long time. However, for over two years now, I am Windows-free, I game on my Manjaro desktop as well as a Steam Deck. Pretty much my entire Steam library is playable on Linux (what won't work is some competitive multiplayer games with shitty rootkit-type anticheats, but do you really want to play games that install malware on your computer?). For all the programs I used to need for my work flow, I found suitable replacements.

With Linux, you really feel like you own your computer.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @94f66a6138 7 Jun

Get a USB stick and load linux there...boot to the USB and use it on your Windows machine. You won't hurt your Windows, and you'll know if your laptop will work with that Linux distro.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @BlokchainB 7 Jun

I been making my transition it’s been a long rough ride but I would say using pop-os makes it very easy coming from windows

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @chaoticalHeavy 7 Jun

Since you have Windows you can install Cygwin. Or you may be able to activate Ubuntu on newer versions of Windows

21 sats \ 3 replies \ @dontforgetthekeys 7 Jun

https://www.youtube.com/@LearnLinuxTV

linux is always worth it. especially now.

my friend threw me in on slackware for my first taste. you don't need that yet. you can start with ubuntu and work your way from there. - https://ubuntu.com/

flash it on a usb, and giving it a run. you don't even need to install it to give it a test drive.

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @cd 7 Jun

Same case here regarding Slackware back in mid 90s - Slackware 3.0-ish

Definitely a crash course, but the learning experience is real

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @dontforgetthekeys 7 Jun

Same case here regarding Slackware back in mid 90s - Slackware 3.0-ish

Definitely a crash course, but the learning experience is real

same same. 3ish. I was like 12/13, thinking I was hot shit for building punters in vb. slackware humbled me in one terminal command and made me learn c.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @dontforgetthekeys 7 Jun

before you know it you will be doing stuff like this: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCRbH-IWlcW2A_kpx2XwAMgT0rcZEZ2Cg

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @BoJack OP 8 Jun

Thanks to everyone for the replies. Now that I am off I will sort through these and begin my Linux journey.