Any other Linux users here? And has anyone fully migrated?

[Don Patch]

This gonna be a long post, but I hope it helps.

So I jumped ship off of Windows 10 after reading that a windows update had somehow erased a number of user's files from their desktop (and I think their documents folder, as well). I just don't have patience for shi*t like that...
This was shortly before the 2020 covid lock-down, if I recall correctly.

Since I'm in media work, it took me about a year to migrate most of what I do over to the platform.
It was slow-goings. But I got there.
I still use a landlocked windows rig for audio work.

IMO, for the average PC user I can see there being three main gripes:

Too many options
There's a bajillion distros (versions of linux) with even more opinions on each. And to add to that, there's about the same amount of desktop environments that all offer something different. ??

My personal recommendations are to, as a noobie, stick to systems that are Ubuntu/Debian-based.
That meas that the operation system was built-on or, is a variation of one of those two systems.
They're (IMO) effectively the most mainstream and typically have the largest software compatibilities.

Ubuntu is neat in that it has something called "FLAVOURS". These are the OS packaged with different desktop environments, essentially.

My other recommendations are Pop!_OS and Linux Mint. Both great and easy to use.
I personally run Pop! rn. I'm very happy with it.

Easiest way to get acquainted with any of these is to run a "live usb" instance of it and check it out.
You can easily download on of the OS iso's, flash it to a USB stick, and give it a test drive and get to know the in's-and-out's of the thing.


Software
At this point in time, there's a (desktop) linux equivalent application for just about everything MS has to offer. In a lot of cases, they tend to work better (IMO). This wasn't always the case, lol... but it's pretty great now.

The struggle for peeps tends to be finding and becoming familiar or re-familiar with different ways of accomplishing tasks. It all comes with time, though.

There's also the scary-scary monster known as the Terminal ?. Yes, some applications do not have a graphical user interface... and that's honestly a huge turn-off for people. For most, you're probably only ever have to use the thing for initial setup of devices and drivers and such. But, for the unfamiliar, it can be intimidating.

Most Windows-only games will run fine via tools like Steam's Proton and W.I.N.E. There's a few exceptions but not so many as to cause concern. Valve's own console runs a Linux variant, so if a game can be run on the deck, you're most likely set.

Support
Yeah, sometimes things can go wrong, something will break, and update may introduce a bug. It sucks, but it happens. ?‍

Most distros have enough documentation available, and, often times the issue you're experiencing has hit another user prior, so there may already be a thread or forum with a posted solution.

Now, I hope no one gets offended by this, but, sometimes, just like with any interaction on the net, you run into really-really unhelpful people. Over the years I've encountered quite a few of the so-called "Linux Elite" who tend to have a propensity to gate keep or generally dissuade new users from seeking help or even using their systems.
Peeps that feel it appropriate to berate or belittle others for asking simple questions.
Like dude, no, I'm not going to read the ENTIRE wiki, I just want to know what terminal commands will make my sound card function. ??‍

I point this out because I see it a lot with Linux-related issues online and I know it can be disheartening and dissuading to new comers.
Fret not. There's tons and tons of wonderful, helpful peeps around who love building and bringing new folks into the linux world/community.
The point: don't get discouraged or overwhelmed.


I had too much coffee so i wrote way to much.
Hope this was helpful.

 

[diapered]

I lost a job opportunity once because I didn't have MS Teams (which didn't even work on that computer), and I don't want to take the risk again. Other software will likely be needed too.

That sucks :( Was this many years ago? At that time, was teams integrated with edge? I had the same concern about 3 years ago with my new job (needing the desktop versions of teams and zoom), but that is when someone suggested I try the chromium (not chrome) web browser. Since ms edge uses it as a base, many microsoft apps like teams, zoom etc. work pretty well with it. I have just been using the browser version of teams and zoom for years and no one has said anything... It also made me switch from firefox to chromium, idk I just found for my laptops that it runs better, handles more tabs/applications etc. and I think it looks simpler, just my opinion.

 

[Vetusomaru]

I haven't because I'm not a hipster and because I want a computer that can play all games and applications.

 

[diapered]

Finally can I share the same drives for storage with the Windows and Linux since they're shared?

Running from the usb? When you run a distro from a usb you have administrator permissions by default, so you can see all the files/modify them that are on the hard disk (windows or other linux installs). Do you want to be able to save files/work on/to the usb? That is possible, but it is not common. Usually, a "live" distro is for testing or recovering a broken system. You can make the usb stick "persistent" so you can save data a pick up later. I have never done that, but it is possible.

Do you mean after installing? Yes, the linux will be able to see all the files on the windows partition (last time a dual booted was 13 years ago, but I think it will still be true), however it will not work the other way due to the way permissions and the type of file system that linux uses by default (ext4). I guess you COULD change that, but I would not recommend.

I'm not an expert on some of this "low level" (file systems etc.) stuff though, but I think that is how it works.

 

[Deleted member 121503]

Nope, i only have an student visa till i marry a native.

So, uhh... Tux...?

 

[Zerpina]

Hi guys, I've been considering moving fully to linux but i'm just wondering if it will affect anything important?

I have been using linux on my laptop for 2 years but it's an older 2017 model that i only use for programming and web browsing, i use my main pc for heavier tasks like drawing, video editing, gaming, streaming etc.

I've been considering swapping over to linux on my main pc for a while but i'm not sure if i should, has anyone here swapped over to linux fully? if so what are your main gripes (i hear gpu drivers are a mess)

So, my best advice is. Get a mini pc/spare SSD/nvme whatever you use for your main
Pop linux mint on it and try it out for awhile

Swapping the Drives is a pain if you don't trust dual booting <you can right out fuck up a OS install if you don't watch/know what you are doing.>

a cheap mini pc, something decent, would give you a idea if it's for you. and you could practice on it. and if you bork the install, eh no big deal.

no harm no fowl. and then when you get accustom to it, find a Distro that you like. that at-least would give you a idea of what you like/don't about it before committing fully to it.

And as to the Gaming side. Linux since our Lord Gaben released Proton, has done nothing but gotten better.

Alot of games work now, hell most games work under Linux anymore. Save for ones that use the anti-cheat bs like Destiny 2, Fortnight <i think> ect ect.

if you wanna know how Said game runs under Linux, just hit up https://www.protondb.com/
<Ys thats for the Steamdeck, which runs Steam OS, which is Linux>
More or less Tell's you if it runs meh or Perfect and what tweaks to use for said game.

and yeah as to the Migrated to linux, aside a mini pc with windows <couple things i need IRL have to have windows>

Coming up on 20 years soon enough ?

Mu'dude, 15 maybe 16 myself

 

[Dyne]

I honestly hate Windows 10 and 11 and I've been wanting to make the swap to Linux.
I keep waiting for it to get "just a little bit better" for years now. Its probably just about there with Proton being what it is, and I should probably get around to doing this already.

 

[miguk]

That sucks :( Was this many years ago? At that time, was teams integrated with edge? I had the same concern about 3 years ago with my new job (needing the desktop versions of teams and zoom), but that is when someone suggested I try the chromium (not chrome) web browser. Since ms edge uses it as a base, many microsoft apps like teams, zoom etc. work pretty well with it. I have just been using the browser version of teams and zoom for years and no one has said anything... It also made me switch from firefox to chromium, idk I just found for my laptops that it runs better, handles more tabs/applications etc. and I think it looks simpler, just my opinion.

My computer at the time was getting on in its years, so it was technically able to run Teams, but for whatever reason just didn't. This was around 2020, when telecommuting was a necessity.

Web browsers are another concern. I usually use Firefox for everything. However, every now and then, I have problems with intraweb sites, 2nd party sites (ironically including the security related stuff), and insurance sites. I'm stuck using Edge for that stuff.

 

[Grumpy_Old_Man]

One thing for sure, I've seen far less kernel crashes than blue screens(in the same amount of time).
Far more resource efficiency.
I don't want my computer to "teach me how to go to the bathroom", it's far worse than old clippy.
For mostly old games, writing and furniture design, I don't need to clean no windows.

 

[diapered]

Whenever I read about someone switching full time to Linux, a question always comes to my mind: "how much gaming do these people do?"

I only play retro games, so the issue doesn't come up with how easy emulation is on linux.

I honestly hate Windows 10 and 11

I just bought a new laptop last black friday and booted it up to see the state of windows and I was not disappointed how bad it was... To be fair, it is a cheap and not powerful laptop (but still new!), but took forever to boot and just an initial update/setup took longer than to install the linux distro I was planning to wipe with it anyway :P Constant things popping up on the desktop, hating the desktop design and just all around very slow, in my opinion. I don't see how anyone puts up with it, they must all have powerful devices (more money than me :( ) that can handle the ms bloat. I installed Manjaro xfce and it was operating at lightspeed after that :P

 

[diapered]

and i had no problems using it on garuda so i donno

Thanks! That was a big question I had. So you installed pamac from command line, and that is what you use on garuda for package management? I thought I was missing something, I see there is the "garuda assistant" but it doesn't seem for installing software.

Unfortunately, my garbage laptop I use for testing doesn't have enough memory to handle garuda :( It works live, but installer won't proceed because ram too small. But I was going to backup and wipe another I have for a fresh install anyway, so I am definitely giving garuda a try when I get around to it. I like the gui support and making snapshots/backups easy was another thing I thought was really cool about garuda.

Honestly, I think it is more friendly than endeavor, but I haven't even given endeavor a try. Garuda seems to have more gui tools which is great. And isn't endevour the same as far as software management? You would need to install pamac if you wanted a gui software manager?

 

[King Koopa's iconKing Koopa]

I have since buying a steam deck. I was a windows user for about 30 years so it took some getting used to but I found workarounds to be able to do everything I normally did on my other pcs. So far I haven't missed windows especially with the forced update shenanigans I've been hearing about the newer OS.

 

[Leon]

Thanks! That was a big question I had. So you installed pamac from command line, and that is what you use on garuda for package management? I thought I was missing something, I see there is the "garuda assistant" but it doesn't seem for installing software.

Unfortunately, my garbage laptop I use for testing doesn't have enough memory to handle garuda :( It works live, but installer won't proceed because ram too small. But I was going to backup and wipe another I have for a fresh install anyway, so I am definitely giving garuda a try when I get around to it. I like the gui support and making snapshots/backups easy was another thing I thought was really cool about garuda.

Honestly, I think it is more friendly than endeavor, but I haven't even given endeavor a try. Garuda seems to have more gui tools which is great. And isn't endevour the same as far as software management? You would need to install pamac if you wanted a gui software manager?

Endeavor would require installing pamac if you want a package manager yes, otherwise yes i think garuda is better than endeavor, though the entire point of endeavor is to give you the basics, while arch gives you nothing, it's the modus operandi of endeavor.

Garuda does have a package manager, think it uses octopi, but i prefer pamac.

 

[diapered]

think it uses octopi

Thanks again! I just googled what you mentioned, and yes it does come with octopi pre-installed (but apparently there are others like you that like pamac over that). I guess since I was playing around with a garuda live usb, it did not have the package manager gui accessible (or my dumb ass couldn't find it)? I love that it comes with a package manager otb <3

Again, I wish I could have took it for a true test drive today, but not enough ram :(

 

[NatalieZaki]

i just had to deal with Fedora kernel panicking i am now a fedora hater im gonna switch to arch

 

[diapered]

i just had to deal with Fedora kernel panicking i am now a fedora hater im gonna switch to arch

I don't have much knowledge of fedora. I have used Red Hat on work computers (of course, I'm not paying for OS on my own device :P) and no complaints. If I understand, fedora is pretty cutting edge, it's arch with easier setup (no rolling release, of course). I would imagine you would run into the same problems with arch, whatever you were trying to do/configure that blew up your install would probably happen on arch >_> You might consider something like garuda that @Leon likes. I gotta plug manjaro as usual :P But that is only if you don't want/need AUR, since manjaro does have their own repositories and has their own discretion on updates. So if you need cutting edge, manjaro is not for you; rock solid though in my experience, very easy to use and manjaro+xfce is extremely lightweight, so that is why I like it.

I would actually consider using fedora. Like I said, Red Hat is no joke in the linux desktop game, they know what they are doing. But I am currently on the arch based train...

 

[tranzittruther]

I use Debian on my laptop! It's a breath of fresh air, I like it well enough so far, but I'm still getting used to the whole /var /usr /etc and all those funny new folders. I have Cinnamon for desktop environment, Gnome felt too much like an android tablet for me LOL.
I like it my fair share, Windows 11 has so much bloatware and useless settings, it feels like I have to spend an entire day on a fresh installation just to make it useable.

 

[NatalieZaki]

I don't have much knowledge of fedora. I have used Red Hat on work computers (of course, I'm not paying for OS on my own device :P) and no complaints. If I understand, fedora is pretty cutting edge, it's arch with easier setup (no rolling release, of course). I would imagine you would run into the same problems with arch, whatever you were trying to do/configure that blew up your install would probably happen on arch >_> You might consider something like garuda that @Leon likes. I gotta plug manjaro as usual :P But that is only if you don't want/need AUR, since manjaro does have their own repositories and has their own discretion on updates. So if you need cutting edge, manjaro is not for you; rock solid though in my experience, very easy to use and manjaro+xfce is extremely lightweight, so that is why I like it.

I would actually consider using fedora. Like I said, Red Hat is no joke in the linux desktop game, they know what they are doing. But I am currently on the arch based train.

I've had ok experiences with Arch-based, but Manjaro was kinda unstable and buggy. I think I'll just use Endeavor since it uses Arch's rolling releases, but has an install that doesn't require a Wiki to figure out. But also I think I'm happy with Fedora, I fixed the problem that was causing it to Kernel Panic, and it's running like normal again.

 

[diapered]

I use Debian on my laptop! It's a breath of fresh air, I like it well enough so far, but I'm still getting used to the whole /var /usr /etc and all those funny new folders. I have Cinnamon for desktop environment, Gnome felt too much like an android tablet for me LOL.
I like it my fair share, Windows 11 has so much bloatware and useless settings, it feels like I have to spend an entire day on a fresh installation just to make it useable.

I used debian for many years, and I learned a lot using it :) But it did take some care and troubleshooting, but that was many years ago. Nowadays, I think as long as you get linux installed and your hardware works, you can't really mess anything up, unless it is a specialized distro. I believe debian comes with a gui software manager, but I do believe the cl is still the recommended way to manage packages in debian. Good luck!

But also I think I'm happy with Fedora, I fixed the problem that was causing it to Kernel Panic, and it's running like normal again.

That's good you figured it out :) If you like Fedora, I would stick with it. I don't directly have experience with it, but it seems like the distro for anyone that appreciates innovation and needing cutting edge software; looks lots of fun. I would give it a try, but I currently only look for distros that cater to making things easy: a nice gui for software management and updates etc.

 

[Ain_Gamer]

I use Debian on my laptop! It's a breath of fresh air, I like it well enough so far, but I'm still getting used to the whole /var /usr /etc and all those funny new folders. I have Cinnamon for desktop environment, Gnome felt too much like an android tablet for me LOL.
I like it my fair share, Windows 11 has so much bloatware and useless settings, it feels like I have to spend an entire day on a fresh installation just to make it useable.

That's lowkey why I like Gnome.

Post automatically merged: Feb 25, 2025

When I was first getting into Linux was interested into KDE but after doing some research I really liked the Gnome Work flow, I always wanted something like an Android interface but bigger.

Post automatically merged: Feb 25, 2025

I've had ok experiences with Arch-based, but Manjaro was kinda unstable and buggy. I think I'll just use Endeavor since it uses Arch's rolling releases, but has an install that doesn't require a Wiki to figure out. But also I think I'm happy with Fedora, I fixed the problem that was causing it to Kernel Panic, and it's running like normal again.

Did you tried to install the AUR on Manjaro ? Manjaro is notorious unstable if you use the AUR.

 

[MRDeu]

These comments that things don't work or that driver support is bad on Linux simply have no idea of the current state of Linux.

 

[Megalodonix]

Been using Arch for about 2 yrs now, made the switch mainly cause I got sick of Windows, used Arch on my laptop and never looked back.

I currently daily-drive Arch for basically everything from gaming to productivity, and I've used multiple DEs and WMs, favs gotta be Plasma, dwm and Qtile
I also have a Debian home server that I use to host a MC server for my friends

Also ever since using Linux I've been addicted to ricing lol, here's a very old example:

What DEs or WMs do y'all use on Linux? And would you put the time and effort into ricing?

 

[Ain_Gamer]

Been using Arch for about 2 yrs now, made the switch mainly cause I got sick of Windows, used Arch on my laptop and never looked back.

I currently daily-drive Arch for basically everything from gaming to productivity, and I've used multiple DEs and WMs, favs gotta be Plasma, dwm and Qtile
I also have a Debian home server that I use to host a MC server for my friends

Also ever since using Linux I've been addicted to ricing lol, here's a very old example:View attachment 37547
What DEs or WMs do y'all use on Linux? And would you put the time and effort into ricing?

I have being using Gnome since I started using Linux, I really like it, I have tried other DE such as KDE Plasma, Cinamon , budgie and XFCE, I still prefer Gnome, but I really like KDE and would use it if I couldn't use Gnome.

If I had to rate them it would be something like this

1: Gnome
2:KDE
3:Budgie
4:Cinamon
5:XFCE

Customizing Gnome is more trouble than it's worth so I just use some extension like system tray and blurry my shell.

 

[SpikeSlania]

Just noticed there's a Linux thread :P I went completely in on Linux after Microsoft announced end of life for Windows 10 and didn't like the direction Xbox was heading. So been fully on Linux for about a year now.

On the desktop side of things I started with Fedora Gnome, went to Nobara Official, then CachyOS KDE, back to Nobara, then to PikaOS, back to Fedora Gnome, and now back to Nobara again. So desktop side of things i strongly favor Fedora based distros while having a bias disdain against Ubuntu based. If I distro hop again on desktop it would probably be when Cosmic gets a full release instead of constant Alphas.

With me also being disillusioned with Xbox, I sold my console and built a 2nd PC to be my main modern gaming rig under my tv. That started with Bazzite, then went Nobara, then Chimera, back to Nobara, back to Bazzite, and then Nobara again. The most recent changed to Nobara was because I added a 2tb SSD to that system with Batocera on it and needed a distro where I can do stuff in root since I wanted to set up rEFInd so I can easily switch between the 2 OS without going into the Uefi boot menu. I will probably stay Nobara until SteamOS gets an official home theater pc build.

Been using Arch for about 2 yrs now, made the switch mainly cause I got sick of Windows, used Arch on my laptop and never looked back.

You forgot to say, "I use Arch BTW"

 

[Megalodonix]

I have being using Gnome since I started using Linux, I really like it, I have tried other DE such as KDE Plasma, Cinamon , budgie and XFCE, I still prefer Gnome, but I really like KDE and would use it if I couldn't use Gnome.

If I had to rate them it would be something like this

1: Gnome
2:KDE
3:Budgie
4:Cinamon
5:XFCE

Customizing Gnome is more trouble than it's worth so I just use some extension like system tray and blurry my shell.

GNOME is nice, despite all its flaws
But why is XFCE so low on the list? I think it being lightweight and easily customizable is one of its many pros
I also like its "retro" look, if that's the proper term (image for reference, from my laptop/server)

Post automatically merged: Mar 6, 2025

You forgot to say, "I use Arch BTW"

It says that on my neofetch output LMAO, check the image above