Beginner's Guides for Switching to Linux?

Hello!

I’m interested in moving my personal computer to running Linux but I’m not sure where to even begin. As background, I am a casual user and have a desktop with hardware from around 2014 running Windows. I am hoping to setup a NAS drive as a media server in the next year or so, offloading all of the files currently on the Windows desktop and have been interested in open source software such as Jellyfin. I also mostly game on an Xbox and Nintendo Switch, but have used the desktop in the past for gaming such as with an Oculus Rift Headset and some Steam games so not huge on getting games working on the computer. But, I do sometimes torrent using the computer so don’t want to lose that capability (especially with upkeep for the media server).

With all of that said, I didn’t know how to get started with choosing what Linux OS to use, setting it up, backing up my files to make sure I can use them with the new OS, etc. Making the switch seems to have great options for customization and “choosing a distro that works for you”, but I don’t know what would work for me or what will be user friendly for a beginner.

Any tips or pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

HR_Pufnstuf,

www.oreilly.com/search/?q=beginning linux&typ…

Zangoose,

Gentoo Linux. Into the deep end!

(Starting off with something like mint or pop!os is probably your best bet, EndeavourOS is a good choice too but it’s a little bit more effort for a first distro)

sounddrill,

Opensuse tumbleweed, kde variant

Switch to zypper, dnf or rpm over flatpak in the kde store thing

Set up snapper or timeshift for backups

Get playonlinux and heroic launcher for gaming(with built in wine managers)

WR5,

Gaming is not a high priority for me on the desktop, but the others I will keep in mind!

Phantom3805,

This comment seems like it would be basically incomprehensible to an actual Linux beginner.

WR5,

Yeah as a beginner I will agree with you! Haha

sounddrill,

True but it all makes sense when you have the window open

Kangie,

Learn by doing is my best advice. Most distributions have a willing volunteer support team, but my personal favourite is Gentoo who has users that will spend hours walking newbies through pretty much anything as long as they’re willing to meet them even partway.

It’s a good way to learn a lot about Linux and how it works (and how to solve your own problems) but I’d recommend it mostly if you’re the type that enjoys jumping in the deep end to learn!

WR5,

Okay thanks for the response!

Chewy7324, (edited )

I started using Linux with a dual-boot and always booted back into Windows because it worked better since I set it up right and was confortable with it. Only booting Linux and taking the time to understand how to do whatever I want to do finally made me comfortable enough to wipe that partition.

So my recommendation is don’t be discouraged if things seem hard or annoying, it will definitely get better over time.

Chew

WR5,

Okay I appreciate that advice!

Podo_Danderfluff,

Scan through some YouTube videos of each of these recommended distros and see which one you like the look of best; They are all good recommendations.

I’d like to throw Zorin in the pot, I use it on all my devices (and servers) since it’s just smooth and works without fuss or tinkering. There’s a Gnome version and an XFCE version, both are very nice. XFCE is a little lighter in weight of course, which you may like or need.

WR5,

What do the “versions” represent? From what I understand elsewhere, Gnome is the desktop styling correct?

fluxx,

Kinda like that, but a bit more. Those are desktop environments, which differ in more than just styling. Most popular ones are gnome, KDE, xfce, but there are dozens of others. Most distributions come with one directly supported, but you can install others usually and pick at login.

WR5,

Oh that’s interesting. So each time I login I could potentially load into a different styling as I choose?

fluxx,

Yes, that’s exactly it. You could try out and see what you prefer. I tried everything, but also tastes change over time. I used to use KDE cause it felt more like windows (we’re talking XP era), later I tried Gnome, Unity, xfce, fluxbox, but then I tried i3 and it is really minimal and tiling and I don’t need anything more. Not for beginners, but after some time, it might become your jam.

some_guy,

Be prepared to take a temporary hit in productivity as you learn. There will also be a degree of learning curve. Don’t get discouraged. When you do, take the advice that someone else pointed out of having a dual boot system so you can switch back to Windows. This way you won’t be tempted to nuke it and go back just to have a temporary break.

Good luck!

WR5,

Thank you!

WR5,

Thank you!

mfat,

Learn by doing. Just make the switch and fix every problem you run into. Google is your friend.

WR5,

The “fixing every problem I run into” is what is making me apprehensive in the first place. I don’t really have the time or energy to troubleshoot at home, especially being a pretty light user. Given enough time I feel I could figure things out, but I don’t think they would be worth the effort since what I have now does work for me. I was just looking for the most convenient way to slide into it as opposed to making a switch and hitting a break wall if that makes sense.

Perroboc,

Please pick a rolling distro with KDE Plasma. I would recommend Endeavour OS.

A rolling distro is the most similar thing to keeping a Windows installation in terms of updates if you don’t change the big version. You get constant updates, sure, but it’s also really more compatible because software is not frozen until the next OS release.

In contrast, a standard release distro is more akin to macOS. You install the OS, but every X (6? 9? 12?) months, you must upgrade to the next big thing. This presents 2 problems IMHO: you have to wait that long for updates you might need, and the upgrade might break a lot of things.

And KDE is a Desktop Environment. This is the look and feel of the desktop. In my experience, I tried Gnome, Cinnamon, and XFCE, thinking they might be more aligned with the FOSS philosophy. Then I tried KDE because I bought a Steam Deck, and I immediatly loved it and haven’t looked back. It’s that good.

WR5,

Okay great! What are the improvements/benefits of KDE that make you say that?

Perroboc,

Customization doesn’t break as often, and you opt out of features already built in, rather than installing third party extensions that might bug out with every update.

You feel like you can change KDE to your workflow, rather than feel the DE force you into a specific way of working.

WR5,

Interesting. Thank you!

xtremeownage,

My method was easy.

Completely removed and eradicated windows, and forced myself to adapt and learn Linux.

Used it for gaming and everything. No regrets.

Vendetta9076,
@Vendetta9076@sh.itjust.works avatar

How good is linux gaming nowadays on the desktop? I have a steamdeck but I mainly use it for emulation and rarely play pc games. Gaming is the last percieved hurdle for me to flip.

Kangie,

I use NVIDIA on Wayland with the kernel-open module and… It’s pretty much bloody bulletproof. I don’t play anything with anti-cheat but outside of that I’ve less of my Steam library fail on Linux than on Win10.

xtremeownage,

Well, my wife’s gaming PC ran linux for the last few years. And, as a non-technical person, she never noticed, nor had issues playing games.

Vendetta9076,
@Vendetta9076@sh.itjust.works avatar

What OS is she using.

xtremeownage,

Manjaro. Its a “user-friendly” version of arch.

Have also used Kbuntu.

Both worked well.

WR5,

Do you know of good emulation setups in Linux? I’ve run a bunch of emulators (NES, SNES, N64, GBA, and some GameCube and Playstation although not as prevalent), and am interested in getting something to emulate the Switch after I upgrade the hardware.

xtremeownage,

All of the same emulators you use on windows, works in linux too.

Although, I have honestly not emulated anything newer then a ps2/wii, so, I cannot speak to the switch.

But, dolphin-emu.org can do gamecube/wii effortless, and runs native on linux.

Likewise, epsxe runs native on linux too. www.epsxe.com/download.php

A few years back, I built a HTPC for streaming games to my Livingroom TV.

xtremeownage.com/…/htpc-retro-build-complete/

This PC has long since been repurposed, into a part of my server rack… but, it did its job wonderfully well. It ran Manjaro.

Now, one cool thing I did, is setup multiple “desktop environments”. IE, I could either load into retroarch, or a desktop environment just by selecting it at the boot screen.

Retroarch, would hands down, be my preferred way to emulate on linux, as it consolidates everything into one easy place. however, years back when I did this, I still had to run ps2 separately. But, it did gamecube/wii perfectly.

WR5,

Thanks for the detailed response! This sounds promising.

WR5,

I suppose trial by fire can be a fast method of learning! Thanks for the response!

xtremeownage,

It’s very effective.

Just try not to mess up your xorg.conf.

That typically ends in pain.

WR5,

Noted: avoid xorg.conf!

xtremeownage,

As long as you don’t break it, things will be just fine!

But, the second you break it, it’s going to be a long night for you, with lots of pain.

emergencyfood,

Step 1: Make a list of the software you use, and search online to see if they work on Linux.

Step 2: For the ones that don’t work on Linux, find alternatives and use them for a few days.

Step 3: Download a linux distribution’s iso into a pen drive, and boot from that. See how everything feels. (Don’t install it yet.)

Step 4: Install a linux alongside your Windows (i.e. dual-booting).

Step 5: When you realise that you are no longer using Windows, you can think of removing it, particularly if you’re short of disk space.

As for which distribution to use, I would suggest Linux Mint, but Pop OS and Ubuntu are also fairly beginner-friendly.

WR5,

I appreciate the advice! Thank you!

Mindlight,

I second number 4.

Since Microsoft does what Microsoft does you might run into trouble with not being able to boot Linux after the first time you bored into windows again. It’s not a biggie. Google solutions and you will be able to restore Grub easily.

I run dual boot and I’ve been doing it for over 10 years. Best of two worlds.

WR5,

Thank you! What does Grub mean?

Mindlight,

Grub is a bootloader. Instead of starting Windows immediately when you turn on the computer there is a program called grub that is started. In grub you get a menu where you can choose what OS, Windows or Linux, you want to start.

Now, Microsoft doesn’t like that because in their world there is only one OS so why would you even need to choose? 😉 So what Windows does sometimes is to remove Grub and make sure the computer starts directly into windows.

If this happens you just Google and you will find how to boot up on your Linux DVD/USBstick and run some commands to get the menu (Grub) back.

WR5,

Ah okay that makes sense. I wasn’t familiar with the term, but I’ve heard of bootloaders.

Mindlight, (edited )

Remember that when you Google solutions, check the date on the results you get. A posted solution on Reddit from 2018 might not be adequate for your situation.

tuto193,

If you’re not a techy person/power user, I would recommend staying with Kubuntu/Xubuntu (flavors of Ubuntu, that seem familiar to Windows users), or a more loved variant Linux Mint. You’ll have everything you need there, and your gaming will do just fine using Steam thanks to Proton. My first time (~2014) I went with Ubuntu, since it has an easy to use installer (like most distributions), with relatively sane default settings. Nowadays I would recommend Linux Mint or anything Debian based for the stability.

LoveSausage,
@LoveSausage@lemmygrad.ml avatar

Check out peppermint OS. Runs on most hardware , lightweight and easy. Debian based , stable and got most things you might need. Easy transfer from Windows since a bit prepared for using web-based stuff

WR5,

I’ll add it to the list! Thank you!

MazonnaCara89,
@MazonnaCara89@lemmy.ml avatar

The best way to switch imo is to first to switch some of your currently installed app on windows with others that have a linux version, so you will not be entirely lost when you switch os.

For example Microsoft Office is not available on linux so maybe try libreoffice or onlyoffice, another example Photoshop doesn’t have a linux version too.

Then maybe try to familiarize with the os on a vm or on a live usb, especially on a live usb so you know what works out of the box and with your hardware.

If you want to game look for you games on protondb if they work or not, for online games instead watch areweanticheatyeat to see if the anticheat work.

Last tip is to go with a know distro not something obscure like steamos or kali linux, they are not meant to be used as daily drivers especially kali and can give you problems that will not occurre in other distro!

WR5,

Okay thank you! Do you know of a good list of Linux compatible alternatives to Windows software? I’m sure I can track some down but may want to get familiar before making the jump like you said.

TheAnonymouseJoker,
@TheAnonymouseJoker@lemmy.ml avatar

You have that answer in my guide I sent :D

WR5,

Perfect, thank you!

CafecitoHippo,

I would check out AlternativeTo. You can search for programs you use (and filter by OS).

MazonnaCara89,
@MazonnaCara89@lemmy.ml avatar

Dunno any, but if you maybe tell me the software you want to switch I can tell you the alternative available on both Linux and Windows if available.

bikesarethefuture,

Tell me a software you use usually, and I’ll tell you the Linux equivalent

WR5,

Typically I have a browser (Firefox), Blender for some 3D modeling, uTorrent, previously Plex (but wanting to move away from it to something like Jellyfin maybe), Microsoft Offjce products but mostly Word/Excel/PowerPoint, and I have Outlook on my work laptop but am used to using browser for email client as needed so thats not a huge priority if there isnt a good mail application. There are probably others but those are the most often or daily usage!

WR5,

Thank you for the tips!

MazonnaCara89,
@MazonnaCara89@lemmy.ml avatar

No problem!

Ultra980,

You should probably try Linux Mint, or if you have an NVIDIA card, Pop!_OS

WR5,

Thanks! Why specifically an NVIDIA card?

MazonnaCara89,
@MazonnaCara89@lemmy.ml avatar

Because Pop OS comes with nvidia driver preinstalled! On Linux mint you can install the nvidia driver pretty easly but not as easly with them being preinstalled for you.

WR5,

Okay that makes sense. Thanks!

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