this post was submitted on 25 Nov 2023
97 points (95.3% liked)

Linux

48220 readers
701 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Hello, apparently hanging out in Lemmy inadvertently makes you thinking about using Linux. I am planning to install Linux Mint cinnamon on an older laptop, which I want to bring to LAN Parties. From what I read I can just format my C:\ windows disk, install Linux via bootable drive and from what I understand, proton is basically included when installing steam after setting up my new Linux OS? Thanks for your comments:)

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Assuming I'm understanding you correctly (I think I am: "ghost files" would be files of the old filesystem read and kept by the new one?) No, that's unnecessary unless you have data you specifically want unrecoverable, in which case you'll want a 'file shredder' or srm type tool to handle that. Other than that you'll probably not be using any filesystem format Windows offers, so it also won't be recognizing any Windows files even if such a thing would otherwise be possible.

As for your main post, you seem to have the right idea. Steam recognizes that Windows games won't run natively on a Linux system and will either "automatically run with a compatibility tool (Steam Play)" (or something like that) or refuse to launch/install the thing until you configure it to run everything non-native with Proton by default (which is a checkbox in the normal settings menu, not anything weird or buried).

...Also sometimes it just launches Wine? At least for me? That's kinda weird, honestly, but I set up my systems in weird ways so that may just be a me problem 😅

Simply put: I think you'll be fine just not worrying about anything and going directly to your "boot from install/live media" step and not worrying about anything else unless there's a problem... at which point you come yell at us and we help you fix it ;P

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Thank you for your extensive answer, I feel confident now to do the "leap of faith"