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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 don't know anything about Linux and the idea of installing it frightens me. Where do I start? (lemmy.world)

submitted 7 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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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] 16 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Just download Balena Etcher (it's the easiest USB flashing tool), flash a Linux Mint .iso file to a flash drive using it and boot from it like you do with Windows installers. Unlike Windows, Linux can work in "demo mode" straight from the USB without installing to the hard drive. It may be slow in this mode but it should give you an idea of how Linux looks and feels. If you like it, double click the "Install Linux Mint" button in the top left corner and proceed with installation. Other distros usually have the installation icon on the same place or somewhere in the "Start menu" so you shouldn't have hard times finding it in case you decide to try another distro

[–] [email protected] 9 points 7 months ago (1 children)

On Windows, Rufus is better. On Linux, use Impression Flatpak, or the KDE IsoWriter, or FedoraMediaWriter, all better than BalenaEtcher.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Rufus has much more than 3 buttons and Etcher worked fine for me

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Its an electron app and has ads. But for sure it works.

Fedora media writer also has only a few buttons and has mac and windows versions too.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Absolute beginners shouldn't worry about electron too much imo.

Unfortunately I couldn't properly try Fedora media writer because the iso download speed with it was at like 300 kb/s so I can't say anything about it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago

Just download the iso from your browser? Strange bug though.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 7 months ago

Strange that the download limit was so slow, I've never had that happen. You can download ISOs from a browser to use in the utility, however, and Fedora has done a good job of simplifying it down to a fairly identical user experience as Etcher