====== Linux for dummies ====== Or... "So, you're a Windows user?" ==== Where should I start? ==== Pick a distro, any distro. I recommend Bazzite, but these are all fine. Here are some, in order of simplicity: * [[https://zorin.com/os/|Zorin OS]] (use the free **Core** version) - Windows like and beginner friendly. * [[https://linuxmint.com/download.php|Linux Mint]] (use **Cinnamon** edition) - Popular for beginners, but not as good for gaming. * [[Bazzite|Bazzite]] Best gaming option imo! Just works, rock solid, up to date and user friendly. * [[https://wiki.pika-os.com/en/home|Pika OS]] (use **KDE** in my humble opinion) - Well rounded for beginners AND gamers. * [[https://nobaraproject.org/download-nobara/|Nobara]] (standard) - More up to date since it's Fedora Make sure to download specifically for NVidia, if that's your graphics card. **What's a distro?** Someone has made a distribution of Linux in a specific flavor. I.e. a distro. ==== How do I install it? ==== * Buy a USB stick * Download the installation thing * Use [[https://rufus.ie/en/|Rufus]] to copy installation to the USB stick * Restart computer into BIOS * How this is done differs. Usually you hold a key after hitting power up. It can be F2, DEL, F10... * Turn off **Secure Boot** * Change the boot order of the discs, so that the USB (or UEFI) is at the top * Save and exit, good luck * What Partition option should I choose? * btrfs if you can, ext4 if you can't * If you want to Dual Boot, best to have two separate hard drives. * Don't encrypt your drive! * I really recommend All in, erase the disc and take the plunge! * You need to choose a password at some point. Keep it simple on a home computer. * If you encounter "KWallet", set it up with empty password. Trust me. ==== What's different? ==== Many things are different, some are the same. Key highlights: * NVidia drivers and Codecs usually needs a separate installation. It's a license thing. * **Everything** is installed through a tool, not from a webpage. * All good distros include a type of Software center, though. * A handful competitive games can't be run. The vast majority can. * No Microsoft or Adobe suites. Really good free alternatives exists. * No C: or D: drive. Everything is a "file" and starts and ''/''. * Your stuff lives in a Home-folder, referenced as ''~''. * Stuff named with a leading period becomes hidden. Like a ''.config'' file. * File extensions like ''.jpg'' are very much optional. Still used though. * Every action on stuff outside the Home-folder needs your password. * Yes, a lot can be done in a terminal. However, with good distros you won't need it! * The Linux scene is diverse. So, SO many options! ==== No CTRL+ALT+DEL ==== Seriously, this will be one of your first cultural shocks! This is how I would do it if I were you. And yes, this is the one bit that the terminal is best at. == Do this now == * Open a terminal. * ''sudo apt install btop'' == Do this instead of CTRL+ALT+DEL == * Cinnamon and KDE: ''CTRL+ALT+F4'', log in. Run ''btop'' to see and kill the rogue process. ''CTRL+ALT+F2'' to get back. * Pika OS: Same, but start with ''CTRL+ALT+F2'' and end with ''CTRL+ALT+F1''. I think. ==== Desktop environments ==== Basically the look and feel. How the windows behave and what tools you'll have. This is not specific to a distro, you can mix and match to some degree. I will high light four: * KDE or K Desktop Environment. Pretty polished and up to date. Very Windows like, but also very configurable. * Gnome. More of a tablet or iOS feel. Very polished but not so configurable. * Cinnamon. Feels old, but still good. Windows like. Usually paired with Linux Mint. Can behave weird, the technology is old like WinXP. * COSMIC. Up and comer. It needs to bake another year, but will probably become the no 1 in popularity. **Important note on KDE:** It has this kwallet to store you passwords and stuff. Leave the kwallet password blank, trust me! ==== Distribution 101 ==== === Daddy distributions === There are three great daddies of distributions. Four if you count Ubuntu. In order of stable to bleeding edge: - Debian (and it's stepchild Ubuntu) - Fedora - Arch All other distributions are based on these three (four?) and that affects the available applications a bit. But not much. Their maintainers have different philosophies: Debian is all about slow updates and stability. Arch is more new new new! Fedora is a good middle ground. === Application managers === Since all applications are installed through **package managers**, it's good to know that they are split along with the daddy distros. == Native == Faster, less safe. Good for demanding stuff like Steam. Generally don't use unless you know what you're doing. * Debian/Ubuntu: **APT** (advanced package tool) * Fedora: **DNF** (Dandified YUM!? Right...) * Arch: You're new. Don't use Arch btw. == Agnostic == Then there are some distribution agnostic package managers. Everything you need will be included. They are safer, larger and a bit slower. Recommended for you most of the time. * **Flatpak**: Use these most of the time. You'll find these in the "software center" of choice. * **AppImage**: Made to be downloaded from Internet. Avoid, but sometimes it's the only option. * **Snap**: Like Flatpak, but worse. Specific to the company Canonical and their Ubuntu. Avoid! ==== What about that scary terminal? ==== Dont worry about it. Seriously. You can do cool things with it. But with good distros you'll never have to use it. Unless you need to do CTRL+ALT+DEL, unfortunatly. Since you can't do that, like in Windows.