Now i’ve been considering moving to linux. I don’t have much of a history using a computer and find it tougher to use than my phone. But I also really appreciate the foss movement. I’ve currently got an old laptop running windows 11 I think and it would prolly speed up with linux too. But I’m afraid I’d fuck smth up trying to download linux, understand it or while using it. Is it worth switching and how different is it to a windows experience.
I haven’t seen anyone mentioning this yet, so I will: if you’re looking for the most accessible way to use Linux, nothing beats Endless OS. It’s a Linux distribution that is built specifically with ease of use and offline usage in mind (if you don’t know what a “distribution” is, feel free to ask). It’s pretty different from Windows (the user interface is nothing alike, you should download every program/app from the App Center instead of downloading from your browser), but I think you’d get the gist of it quickly.
Now, whether you would want to change to Linux or not greatly depends on what you use your computer for. If you use your computer mostly for browsing the Internet and making Word documents, then I think you should change. If you play videogames on your computer, but mostly via Steam, then Linux won’t be bad. But if your work depends on something like Adobe Photoshop and you really aren’t available to using any other program, then you would not want tochange to Linux, because Photoshop isn’t compatible with it.
TL;DR: Have a look at Endless OS; and please share what you use your computer for / what devices other than a normal keyboard and mouse you normally connect to your computer, so we can help you determine whether you should just switch to Linux or not.
Technically, Linux is just the kernel. What makes a distro different is the software they choose to install and package, and what version: some come with the latest version of kde plasma and busybox, others use versions of GNOME and the GNU core system utilities that are a few years old, etc.
I am very curious about the type of person who would rather use a phone than a computer. I am already getting annoyed just typing these two sentences on my phone, because I know hoe much more convenient this would be on my computer.
I really think you would have a great time with either “Linux Mint” because of its rocksolid philosophy of not breaking stuff or shipping “beta software”.
Otherwise a safe option would be a Linux variant with professional support options - just in case you need it. ZorinOS, Tuxedo or Pop_OS! are the most common ones.
Personally i’d take Linux Mint, which in most cases works flawless out of the box. The premium options are nonetheless also great options.
For someone as tech illiterate as my mom, I’d advise against trying it. But you are here and my mom would never know that Lemmy is a thing. You also ask about Linux.
I’d guess that you will have great fun using and appreciating what Linux and the foss communities have created.
I put Linux Mint on my wifes, her parents and my parents computers, they all are somewhat to absolutely tech illiterate. I have to remind them to update once in a while and new software gets installed by me. But apart from that, everyone is happy with their rocksolid day to day system. Windows wouldn’t make anything easier, neither for me nor for them.
Linux is perfect for teaching someone to be tech literate, which should be your ultimate goal.
Just because someone can follow a pictorial cookbook more easily is no reason to not teach them to read. Being tech literate is a little more important than people generally realize, just for having a cursory understanding of how things really work.
I recommend Ubuntu.
It’s development has been focused on teaching and enabling tech literacy across the world since its inception, and is designed to be very user friendly.
Smart choice! The option to just try it in a safe way with the live USB is a good way to try it.
Also try out some of the themes in the settings 😉 The amazing wallpapers of Linux Mint are so fancy, so I decided to use it on my work Windows PC, which I am forced to deal with ☺️
Nice choice. Try to stick to the standard repository, kinda like the Play store on android.
I believe Mint tries to have minimal dependence on the command line. But usually it’s easier to help others solve problems with the command line since that is easier to write out than how to click through menus. So don’t let it scare you too much.
The internet is a friendlier place now, at least in the linux help-o-sphere. People don’t let others post destructive “lessons” for people to learn anymore.
I think it is , you had to learn how to use windows and you can learn how to use a Linux distro, I recommend Ubuntu or fedora with KDE, most of the concepts for your day to day should be similar with small subtle changes.
Your browser will still function the same . you will have a home directory with subdirectories for all your files. Kind of like my computer on windows.
The main thing is to mentally understand that it is not windows , just like iOS is not android.
If you can’t find a replacement or Linux version of a program there is a windows compatibility layer called WINE that can be used but that is a topic for another day.
There are things call live CDs or live USBs that let you try the OS without installing it. It runs off a USB or CD.
There are always people willing to land a hand online if you do have an issue.
If you do end up using it for a long time you will learn more about computers just from your day to day use of Linux as it doesnt hide stuff from you.
Anyway best of luck to you whatever you decide to do.
I think it is , you had to learn how to use windows and you can learn how to use a Linux distro, I recommend Ubuntu or fedora with KDE, most of the concepts for your day to day should be similar with small subtle changes.
Your browser will still function the same . you will have a home directory with subdirectories for all your files. Kind of like my computer on windows.
The main thing is to mentally understand that it is not windows , just like iOS is not android.
If you can’t find a replacement or Linux version of a program there is a windows compatibility layer called WINE that can be used but that is a topic for another day.
There are things call live CDs or live USBs that let you try the OS without installing it. It runs off a USB or CD.
There are always people willing to land a hand online if you do have an issue.
If you do end up using it for a long time you will learn more about computers just from your day to day use of Linux as it doesnt hide stuff from you.
Anyway best of luck to you whatever you decide to do.
My mum is completely tech illiterate, I have to teach her how to every task individually, and she has to write them down and follow them step my step. Tasks like emailing a document are a challenge. Linux is great for her. She isn’t used to windows anyway, and Linux makes it harder for her to accidentally make damaging changes, collect viruses or experience unexpected ui updates. It has much less maintaince, so it’s a lot less work for me to manage the system.
Here’s a bad usecase:
You are a user who can do the basics of using a website, install new apps, use usb drives etc etc. You are used to windows ui like where to find apps, where the close button is etc. You dont have a tech friend set up your stuff but if something goes wrong you are boned. This isn’t a good use unless you are interesting in becoming more tech literate (its easier to learn, if you can google your problems).
I really don’t think people is reasoning “yes I definitely need a computer that exclusively can browse the web no matter the price” because otherwise, if price is no objection, they would buy an ipad with a keyboard.
This considering that a Chromebook instantly loses the resale value as soon as you pay it and it comes with a time bomb which is known only to hyper technical people. Chromebooks on discount have just 1-2 years of updates left or in some cases they’re already EOL. It’s crime against the environment that a Linux machine with a browser has a EOL date when it could receive browser updates indefinitely without any issue.
I think Linux has come a long, long way. But unfortunately, “tech illiterate” has become much, much more illiterate.
It feels like Linux will forever be stuck in this ‘just behind’ mentality because companies like Apple and even Microsoft can funnel so many resources into making sure their distribution ;) is user-friendly.
That said, I think Microsoft sees the writing on the wall and is ducking out. Apple has no reason to. Their designers, unfortunately, are on point.
I’d say so - since you’re coming in relatively cold you’re probably not so used to Windows that you’d get frustrated with how Linux works compared to it, and if you’re just using it for regular, everyday stuff like web browsing there’s practically no difference.
The hardest part will probably be the installation, but if you can follow a youtube guide you’ll be fine. Go for a distro like PopOS or Fedora that have polished out of the box experiences.
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