this post was submitted on 09 Aug 2023
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Linux

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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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Beginner's Guides for Switching to Linux? (lemmy.ml)
submitted 1 year ago by WR5@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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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!

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[–] Podo_Danderfluff@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

[–] fluxx@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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

[–] fluxx@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

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.