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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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New to Linux, have a few questions (pawb.social)

submitted 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I currently use Windows 10 and I’d like to try out Linux. My plan is to set up a dual boot with OpenSUSE tumbleweed and KDE Plasma. I’ve read so many different opinions about choosing a distro, compatibility with gaming and Nvidia drivers, and personal issues with the ethos of different companies like Canonical. I value privacy and I’d rather avoid a Linux distro that’s implementing something like ads or telemetry…if that’s even a thing that’s happening?

As a complete beginner, what sort of advice would you all have for me? Should I avoid OpenSUSE or KDE Plasma for some reason? Are there any ‘10 things to do first when installing Linux for the first time’ recommendations?

Despite all the ‘beginner friendly’ guides and tutorials around, I still feel a little lost and like I’m going into this blind.

EDIT: Thanks to everyone who's offered advice, I really appreciate all the help and the patience with my dumb questions! There's a lot to look through and it's been a busy day for me, but I'll get back to reading through everything and replying as soon as I can!

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[+] [email protected] -15 points 11 months ago (3 children)

That’s an even worse idea imo. If you’re not very familiar with bcd and grub you will find it hard to boot into Linux once windows decides to “fix the boot issue”.

Better to have a separate drive so you can select by picking boot device on startup.

I know it’s possible to dual boot, but it will be some issues at some point

[–] [email protected] 10 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I have an SSD I’m using for windows and a separate one that I want to install Linux on. I want the ability to remove one of them and keep using the other. From what I understand I can set the BIOS boot order to load Linux first and use the Grub to select which OS to boot?

I realize now I should have been way more specific with how I worded things in the beginning.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 11 months ago

Yeah that's exactly how I do it. Never had a problem with dual booting Windows, just make sure your Linux drive is the default boot drive and then you can select Linux or Windows in GRUB/systemd-boot

[–] [email protected] 6 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Just for the sake of another experience, my dual boot of windows and Linux mint has had absolutely no boot issues for me ever

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

Good to hear. My last experience included at lot of fiddling, but it’s been quite a few years

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

That's generally not a problem anymore with UEFI (unless the boot variables disappear for some reason).

[–] [email protected] 0 points 11 months ago

Ok - must admit I haven’t tried dual booting since win7