Linux

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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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Researching making the switch from Windows on my main PC and I have questions. (lemmy.ca)

submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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This PC is basically my life, I use it for work (freelance business), entertainment, and to self host a server so I'm hesitant. I have a handful of questions for now while I look into it more:

I'd prefer not to dual boo, but it might be the safest way to start? If I dual boot, get used to Linux and (hopefully) get everything I need working, can I then go from dual boot to erasing the Windows partition and recombining so I then only have Linux installed and can keep the work and programs I already installed on Linux?
I do voiceover work, music production, and digital art/photography. Anyone else here do all this and what programs would you recommened to replace Audition, Photoshop, and Cubase?

--2.1. Regarding music production, has anyone successfully used vst files from Windows on Linux?

The drives for my server are NTFS. Does anyone have experience with this format on Linux (I use Emby)?
My bread and butter right now is voice acting so I NEED everything to play nice. I've read there might be some issues with drivers for my hardware, namely Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 and Behringer UV1. Anyone have any experience with this?

EDIT: Wow that's a lot of responses. I'd like to respond to each but I'm a bit overwhelmed with all the info haha. I think I'm gonna grab an old external USB drive and live boot from there and test things out. Thanks to everyone, I've got a tonne to mull over now. Appreciate it!

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Ok so I'll just focus on dual booting since there are other thorough replys here.

I really recommend that you DO dual boot but only in a specific way.

When people say "Dual Boot", this can mean two very different things.

A common way to dual boot is to have windows and Linux exist on the same drive by partitioning the drive and installing a boot manager. I strongly advise against this. It's not worth the risk and pain.

Just install linux on a totally new drive and select it as the boot drive from bios. Leave you windows drive untouched.

Linux is much better than it ever has been. There is a very good chance it can do everything you want. But, especially as someone running a business, there will be times when you just need to get something done and will want to fall back to what you know. These times often lead to people giving up and rolling back to windows in a panic.

Just leave yourself a way to instantly and effortlessly fall back into windows as needed and eventually you will end up doing that less and less. Until you don't do it at all and the windows drive gets wiped for more Linux storage.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

I was going to suggest something similar. Basically, unplug the windows drive entirely, install linux on a dedicated drive. Then plug them both in and use the bios to decide which one to use. Basically don't have them interact at all. That way, worst comes to worst, you can boot into windows exactly as it is.

If this was a personal machine you use for recreation, I would fully support just dropping windows entirely. But no matter how much I want to support a fellow Linux convert, if you make your livelihood from this computer, I wouldn't risk any downtime that costs you money.