this post was submitted on 02 Jul 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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This is probably a good place to ask, but when ditching windows for Linux, what's a good distro to go with? Preferably one that has a good WINE interface.
I've seen a lot of people move to Mint or Pop_OS or Kubuntu. They're Debian based so updates are pretty stable.
I personally ended up with EndeavourOS using the KDE desktop environment. I have a steam deck, so this felt very similar to me. This is Arch based so sometimes updates break things, but I've had more success here.
Also remember that no distro is problem-free, but neither was Windows. The longer you commit, the easier it gets.
EDIT: If you're hesitant to fully commit at first, I also recommend dual booting with Windows. Over time you'll use it less and less until one day you feel like reclaiming the disk space.
I have a 10 year old laptop that I had to get rid of the hard drive for and am installing an nand drive and want to use to re-familiarize myself with Linux on it. Especially since my main desktops are too old to upgrade to Windows 11(not that I'd want to anyway) and I figure going Linux now will save me from scrambling when the pooch gets thoroughly screwed after Win 10 updates end.
I tried doing a dual boot to Mint awhile back, I did the mint backup at the start like it suggests, changed some things, broke it, restored from the backup thinking it was great id already made one, and broke the WHOLE pc.
I had to pull the battery on the BIOS to get it to go beyond a black screen when turning on.
It was terrible.
It seem to recall at the time recommendations about not doing dual boot, and if you wanted to dual boot, remove the main OS drive when you install Linux. Then put it back in.
I'd personally recommend Linux Mint Debian Edition. After distro hopping for a bit, it has personally been the best one for working right out of the box, both for my games and for my peripherals.
I like the UI, it's about at my tech level/needs. I have little to no complaints about it, which is as good as it gets.
This is one of many comments I've seen on several posts that have recommended Mint. I'm currently playing around with Ubuntu, just because it's the one I'm most familiar with from back in the day, but since the drive I'm using is temporary I might do a wipe and then load Mint and see how that operates.
In my experience, experience with one distro is experience with them all. 90% of what you are familiar with will be either similar or completely the same. So definitely give LMDE a shot.
IIRC, Zorin OS handles that the best. Furthermore, it's actually a distro that targets beginners (like e.g. Linux Mint does). So, overall, it's a great pick.
Of course, don't just expect that all your Windows software just works on Linux with WINE. Instead, search if they're somehow available on Linux and/or work through WINE. If that's not the case, then ensure that an alternative is available that you're willing to use instead.
Finally, ensure that the distro you choose, actually works great with your hardware.
Well this is the funny thing that has occurred in the last 24 hours. I have been playing about with basic Ubuntu and I installed Wine on it. But when I tried to come up with a Microsoft dependent application to test it out on I came to the realization that there are no applications that I use that are exclusive to Microsoft. Nearly everything I use is either web-based or has a Linux port.
Hell, even MS Office is web based nowadays. I think Windows truly has become obsolete, or at least out moded. That is for casual desktop users such as myself. There may be enterprise programs out there that still rely on Windows architecture.
Edit: P.S. the Ubuntu was really just a test for the machine I will be working with. I think I'm likely gonna stick Mint on it and give that a try after a new hard drive arrives for it later this week.