this post was submitted on 08 May 2024
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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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I bought a laptop yesterday, it came pre-installed with Windows 11. I hate win 11 so I switched it down to Windows 10, but then started considering using Linux for total control over the laptop, but here's the thing: I keep seeing memes about how complicated or fucky wucky Linux is to install and run. I love the idea of open source software and an operating system without any of the bullshit that comes with Windows, but most of the open source stuff I have is on my android and fairly easy to install. Installing and using Linux just feels like it'll be a whole different beast that'll eat up most of my time and I'm kind of intimidated by it.

TL;DR Linux scawy, how does a barely computer literate scrub like me who's used nothing but windows since the dawn of their life get started with Linux?

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[–] [email protected] 53 points 5 months ago (35 children)

Dont install it, yet. Make a bootable usb stick with balena etcher and put a linux distro on it (I highly recommend mint, pop_os or ubuntu (standard version) as ISO on it.

Ubuntu is very controversial in the more advanced sphere but I learned on it and its great for beginners.

If you want to go a little bit over the top download ventoy and put it on the usb instead. You can then put as many ISOs on there as you can fit and just select one of them at boot.

The most important part for beginners is the desktop environment anyway so gnome should be fine. If you have tried it for more than an hour and still feel like this could be fun, click install and give it a go.

You could also dual boot but windows might fuck you over since they‘re not great neighbors as an OS.

Feel free to ask if you want to know more. Good luck.

[–] [email protected] -2 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (29 children)

Ubuntu is very controversial in the more advanced sphere

I would argue only turbonerds really complain about it. But in my experience, for professionals who just need to get things done it works perfectly fine 99% of the time. Same for Windows or OSX to be honest.

Of course there's going to be those one or two guys from the vocal minority with some esoteric hardware that didn't work chiming in shortly I'm sure.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 5 months ago (3 children)

If someone is leaving windows for privacy reasons, it doesn't make sense to go to Ubuntu.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Can you list some reasons why you think this is true?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago (2 children)

I admit, everything I know about Ubuntu is heresay as I don't use it myself. But I was under the impression that there was a lot of telemetry that they send back, and ads/bloatware they ship with to subsidize their development.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

everything I know about Ubuntu is heresay

Then why did you act like you knew what you were talking about?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 5 months ago (1 children)

You have better things to do, why are you asking me that?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I don't. I ask because confidently wrong people are one of the biggest reasons why the internet sucks IMO, and I want to understand why people do it.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

I don't.

Oof, fair enough.

The only part I think I was wrong about was the level of consent requested from the user. I was under the impression that they were kinda like Firefox, opting the user into telemetry sharing by default, making the refusal of data sharing more obtuse or hidden than it should be. But my impression that ubuntu still serves ads and still feels like someone else letting you use their system sounds accurate.

It sounds like you use Ubuntu, so you could probably let me know where I'm wrong.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

There is a lot of Ubuntu hate and it is easy to go with that and repeat.

    1. The Amazon button on the Ubuntu desktop (I believe it was not in the Ubuntu flavors) was removed after criticism.
  • Ads in the terminal. I've only seen those when using ssh to a server. Ads like the k8 server options of Ubuntu. No flashy jumpy colorful big ads but just small text.

Telling people that there is no difference between installing Ubuntu and Windows is kind of cruel imho. A fresh Ubuntu installation allows the new Linux user to learn Linux and after some time they can decide to go for Arch Linux, Debian (The install is not that easy as with Ubuntu for a beginner Linux user), MX Linux or whatever they prefer.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

Oh yeah, totally agree it's not the same as windows. I said if their concern about windows was privacy, Ubuntu won't feel different. It'll feel like they're letting you use their PC. I still get that sense from all descriptions I hear. I forgot about the ads in the terminal, that's wild.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

Ubuntu is a great gateway distro to Linux. It ressemble Windows a lot, stable and straight forward to install and use.

So a new user is not too lost when switching over.

And, yeah, privacy is not that great, but having installed windows 11 on a new PC, Ubuntu is a lot better than windows

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