ComicalMayhemMay 8, 2024

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

https://lemmy.world/post/15160955

I don't know anything about Linux and the idea of installing it frightens me. Where do I start? - Lemmy.World

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?

Show threadhauiMay 8, 2024

Dont install it, yet. Make a bootable usb stick with balena etcher and put a linux distro on it (I highly recommend mint, pop_os or ubuntu (standard version) as ISO on it.

Ubuntu is very controversial in the more advanced sphere but I learned on it and its great for beginners.

If you want to go a little bit over the top download ventoy and put it on the usb instead. You can then put as many ISOs on there as you can fit and just select one of them at boot.

The most important part for beginners is the desktop environment anyway so gnome should be fine. If you have tried it for more than an hour and still feel like this could be fun, click install and give it a go.

You could also dual boot but windows might fuck you over since they‘re not great neighbors as an OS.

Feel free to ask if you want to know more. Good luck.

Show threadrefaloMay 9, 2024

Ubuntu is very controversial in the more advanced sphere

I would argue only turbonerds really complain about it. But in my experience, for professionals who just need to get things done it works perfectly fine 99% of the time.

Show threadteawrecksMay 9, 2024
If someone is leaving windows for privacy reasons, it doesn’t make sense to go to Ubuntu.
Show threadrefaloMay 9, 2024
Can you list some reasons why you think this is true?
Show threadteawrecksMay 9, 2024
I admit, everything I know about Ubuntu is heresay as I don’t use it myself. But I was under the impression that there was a lot of telemetry that they send back, and ads/bloatware they ship with to subsidize their development.
Show threadlemmyreaderMay 9, 2024

There is a lot of Ubuntu hate and it is easy to go with that and repeat.

  • The Amazon button on the Ubuntu desktop (I believe it was not in the Ubuntu flavors) was removed after criticism.
  • Ads in the terminal. I’ve only seen those when using ssh to a server. Ads like the k8 server options of Ubuntu. No flashy jumpy colorful big ads but just small text.

Telling people that there is no difference between installing Ubuntu and Windows is kind of cruel imho. A fresh Ubuntu installation allows the new Linux user to learn Linux and after some time they can decide to go for Arch Linux, Debian (The install is not that easy as with Ubuntu for a beginner Linux user), MX Linux or whatever they prefer.

Show threadteawrecks
Oh yeah, totally agree it’s not the same as windows. I said if their concern about windows was privacy, Ubuntu won’t feel different. It’ll feel like they’re letting you use their PC. I still get that sense from all descriptions I hear. I forgot about the ads in the terminal, that’s wild.
May 10, 2024 at 7:40amWeb