this post was submitted on 13 Dec 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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I'm visiting my parents for the holidays and convinced them to let me switch them to Linux.

They use their computer for the typical basic stuff; email, YouTube, Word, Facebook, and occasionally printing/scanning.

I promised my mom that everything would look the same and work the same. I used Linux Mint and customized the theme to look like Windows 10. I even replaced the Mint "Start" button with the Windows logo.

So far they like it and everything runs great. Plus it's snappier now that Windows isn't hogging all the system resources.

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 11 months ago (1 children)

My dad has a Surface Go. I've installed Fedora on one of those and it works really well. Dad is still unsure about this but I will try to convince him during the holydays.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago (3 children)

Any trouble spots on the Surface? I have a 2017 model that could use a refresh, but I was worried about the touch screen, digitizer pen, and detachable keyboard.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I recently loaded the latest Ubuntu LTS onto my old Surface Pro and I wish I had done it a long time ago. It works so much better than Windows. Zero issues with any hardware. I don't have a digitizer pen though I remember reading you can load a special kernel if you have any issues with it. Give it a go, I think you'll be happy you did

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

Thank you, that's great to hear! I'll do it next week.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I put ubuntu on a surface Pro 4, around 2016, and everything worked perfectly without fiddling with drivers back then except autorotate. I'm guessing by now even that works.

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

The only problem I had was using a specific App (Tidal music). The virtual keyboard doesn't show up so I either have to plug the real keyboard or use the web version of the app. Otherwise its really smooth, way better that it was on windows 10. Touch screen is super responsive, I dont have the pen.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

I always have the keyboard attached, so that's not a big deal for me. Thank you for the review.