The updates are easier and the command terminal language is a lot more intuitive if any of that stuff means anything to you, also the GUI is a lot less searing on the eyes
💯, and I would just add that Lutris is a great tool and collection of crowdsourced install scripts. Lots of old Windows games, even ones you can't buy anymore on Steam or GoG, can be installed from the original discs and run perfectly Linux.
I switched from MacOS (worked at Apple) to Debian for dev at Netscape in 1998, never looked back.
On PowerPC, ARM, X86 of course, servers, desktop, maker boards, remote and local.
Linux (and it's related parts and many distributions wrapped around) has come a long, long way and can look and feel like just about anything you want. I've been trying to get my parents to switch from Win 10, the clock is ticking.
Dual-booting is allowed, live thumb drives also good…
It might be because I just like the look and feel (and Unix integration) of macOS in its current form but I feel like I couldn’t do it for a local dev machine. Well, that and being a mobile developer.
Haha I guess for me, it’s been a terminal window I connect to to manage remote instances. The last time I used something with a GUI front end, it was Ubuntu in 2014. So that is, I guess, what I think of when I think about Linux look/feel.
If MS stop security updates or start charging for them then I will stop. I have been using Linux as an alternative boot for nearly 20 years for programming. After trying a few different flavours I can recommend Linux Mint as a good replacement for Win 10.
I know it's been said a bunch already but, Linux Mint feels so much like Windows. My only real stumble point (only mentioning in case this is relevant to you) was having to learn to use the command line to connect my VPN to specific places. Highly recommend taking the plunge!
Depends on if you have the programming skills to be able to use Linux. If you find that offensive, you probably have them. My brother the programmer insists that Linux IS "user friendly"
Arch and i3 sound nice but Arch is a rolling release and it's hard to know what sort of security flaws packages might have. Not sure how well i3 meshes with Alma.
I don't understand why rolling release is is portrayed as a negative here, or why it's difficult to keep abreast of security vulnerabilities with arch.
Well you'd have to understand in a bit more depth what flaws were addressed, compared to a deployment with SELinux the packages are somewhat more isolated because of the security contexts. Although I've heard Arch works better with AppArmor which I'm not familiar with.
Mint is a very simple, very straightforward, very usable distro. If you want a daily driver, it’s probably the way to go. I have it set up on a NUC for my media center. My last job used it on work machines. It just works, like Mac/windows, but without lock-in bullshit and spyware
Linux Mint no longer has versions w/ KDE Plasma (you can install it afterwards but no disc to boot it exists)
If you want KDE Plasma and are new to linux, Kubuntu, KDE Neon or Fedora KDE would be stable distro's to try that are good for starting out. Fedora KDE has some more initial setup though.
I'm an openSUSE Leap user, it also comes with KDE.
If you're an enthusiast it's a bit of a tepid distro but for a casual user it's a stable daily driver that I had zero issues with for the past 6+ months (aside from Discord not streaming audio and having to figure out Nvidia drivers for a bit).
openSUSE is great! I've been using linux for 26 years and used that for several years on and off. I'm a big KDE Plasma fan myself but i run Fedora KDE and/or Bazzite on devices here now mostly.
If interested in trying Fedora KDE this info will help get up and running. It's also a stable KDE option.
I don’t hate it (every remote server I setup uses it) but I can’t for a regular driver? Get a netbook or something and install Ubuntu or whatever the latest popular one is on there and try it out for a few months.
As I don't use any Adobe software and I don't game... I've not had any issues with being a full time Debian user for the last 12 years (and Ubuntu for a couple of years before that).
Coding, streaming, video playing, internet, writing, graphics, office, ecad, xp like interface, all catered for.
If you're taking suggestions ; "MX LINUX"is based on DEBIAN but comes with many added features to make it a breeze to install or run from a thumb drive to try it out.
The "XFCE" desktop is easiest to learn and ANYTHING you don't like can be changed .
Updates usually take 5 min with no reboot needed.
I've had linux on my laptops for decades, but I'd buy them with that in mind (often that just means Thinkpad or GTFO). Then I have random people ask me about switching to linux on the cheapest collection of components to technically be a computer and I have to explain to them why it will be pain
If you've got the disk space to spare, install Linux as a dual-boot. The installer will make very clear how to do this. This way you can switch back and forth between Linux and Windows at will, giving yourself more flexibility as you learn the new system.
I personally did a dual boot of Windows 10 and Xubuntu, and migrated my games and other programs gradually. These days I never boot into Windows, but it's still there if I ever have sudden need of it.
I noticed that you are a journalist, so maybe a secure version of LINUX is better suited for your work, especially if you deal with confidential sources. I'm using Tails OS, a version of LINUX, that has an office suite and gimp installed by default.
It can be obtained at no charge at https://Tails.net
You'll never go back to windows. But as suggested, install Linux Mint BESIDE Windows, and you can go back and forth. Also your Windows files will be available in Linux. Linux Mint Cinnamon is your best bet, as it is stable, looks very much like Windows, and you can access your Windows files from it.
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You can try a full (real) Linux installation that has access to your process and file space on widows.
One heart emoji = one avoided kernel panic ❤
On PowerPC, ARM, X86 of course, servers, desktop, maker boards, remote and local.
You'll be fine. 💯
Dual-booting is allowed, live thumb drives also good…
when you have time
https://itsfoss.com/macos-like-linux-distros/
But I could see that being really expensive for someone just joining the ecosystem.
Start with booting Mint from a USB stick, use KDE Plasma desktop.
If you like how fast it is and all the free software, create a second partition and install there.
If you want KDE Plasma and are new to linux, Kubuntu, KDE Neon or Fedora KDE would be stable distro's to try that are good for starting out. Fedora KDE has some more initial setup though.
If you're an enthusiast it's a bit of a tepid distro but for a casual user it's a stable daily driver that I had zero issues with for the past 6+ months (aside from Discord not streaming audio and having to figure out Nvidia drivers for a bit).
If interested in trying Fedora KDE this info will help get up and running. It's also a stable KDE option.
https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php
Two months layer the guy was asking me about aliases commands and had voice commands working. He also linked his hearing aid to the system.
Win for mundane daily tasks and music production.
On a laptop, I'd definitely check your WiFi chipset is supported. If it's all Intel you'll have a smooth ride (smoother than Windows).
Coding, streaming, video playing, internet, writing, graphics, office, ecad, xp like interface, all catered for.
The "XFCE" desktop is easiest to learn and ANYTHING you don't like can be changed .
Updates usually take 5 min with no reboot needed.
As in the Montana state motto, the emphasis falls distinctly on "last" but at this point that doesn't make "best" a lie.
It can be obtained at no charge at https://Tails.net