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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[–] Perroboc@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago (3 children)

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

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

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

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@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

Interesting. Thank you!