this post was submitted on 14 Sep 2024
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(page 3) 31 comments
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[–] [email protected] 80 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (27 children)

There's always some post in here saying for people to use Linux. I find an admonishment to be pretty hollow, so I'll share my recent experience installing a Linux distribution rather than simply saying it's something people should do.

I installed one of the many Debian variants. Getting the installation media is certainly going to be a challenge for casual users. Otherwise, it was easy. It walked through the steps. It was different from installing windows, but I felt it was no more difficult. I am well versed in this stuff, but I feel like nothing in the installation process would be a problem for a casual computer user.

It offered several desktops programs at the login screen. This could likely throw off a lot of people. However, if you just logged in and ignored that you might never even know there were different options. The default was KDE. Everything worked. Nothing needed to be tweaked. This is in starck contrast to Windows, where once you get past installation, you need to get rid of a ton of crap it throws at you. The Windows 10 start menu is an unbelievable collection of weird boxes and shit and the task bar is similarly full of junk. The KDE start menu is just a menu. The task bar has your tasks. There's nothing to do.

I did try Cinnamon too. I prefer the simplicity. I don't think casual users are going to care.

Overall, I think for casual users, it's actually easier to set up and use than Windows. Getting installation media prepared is not something most people are going to readily do, but I think it's the same with Windows. They have the advantage there of having manufacturors install it. Otherwise, whatever issues there have been installing Linux distributions in the past aren't there now. Conversely, installing and especially the configuration after installation is much harder on Windows than it used to be. If you're slightly tech savvy, give Linux a try.

[–] [email protected] 25 points 4 months ago

Chiming in to add that the KDE application menu icon (aka the Start Button) is easily changed to whatever picture you want. Mine is currently the TARDIS control console from Doctor Who which is quite fun.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 months ago (7 children)

What did you do with your file system? I haven’t tried to dual boot Linux yet but I think bothering with partitioning and file systems is keeping me from taking the plunge.

(BTW it reminds me of why I didn’t go to law school, I hated filling out the paperwork for even doing the LSAT and realized the whole job is that. Dealing with partitioning and file systems and shit seems miserable and it’s just the start.)

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

You can run it from a live USB, which is also the install media. It's not persistent, so if it restarts, you lose data. It's a good easy to say last year it without making any changes. Like others mentioned, I wouldn't dual boot.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 4 months ago

If you have the port and money for it, I'd recommend a separate drive for the second OS. Windows is kinda notorious for stomping over GRUB if you rely on partitions for your dual boot.

If you're worried about installing to the wrong drive on accident, you can always physically disconnect the existing drive until install is complete, then plug it back in and set the boot order in the mobo config.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Honestly just get a second drive

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago (3 children)

I could do that, but how does Linux see/interact with my Windows stuff? Am I double-installing games to run-as-Windows with something like Proton? (like a Linux install and a Windows install on the old drive?)

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago

It doesn’t, they operate as two separate logical systems. You can still access your windows drive from your Linux OS, but you aren’t necessarily running anything off of that drive.

I would personally just reinstall everything on the Linux drive.

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 4 months ago

I installed mint recently and I kept the windows partition because I thought I would need to dual boot a lot but I haven't launched windows in the past couple of months

I have a laser HP all-in-onr that I thought I'd have issues with but it worked automatically with the printing and scanner app, not even in windows it works so strangely

My only issue right now were self inflicting, because I created a shared NTFS partition to keep media a torrents and it sometimes give privilege errors after a bit update (it wouldn't happen if it was ext3 from what I've been reading)

My wife needs to use the computer occasionally and I think she had more issues with windows 11 than mint, the only "issue" was that she was trying to find Microsoft word instead of openoffice

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[–] [email protected] 45 points 4 months ago (5 children)

I'm running Windows 10 LTSC with a custom start menu (StartIsBack). So far I have avoided all of Microsoft’s nonsense.

As long as I’m not ready to switch to Linux 100%, this is probably the best possible solution.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I went 10 years ago to Linux. To avoid all Windows non sense..

[–] [email protected] 12 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Many people want that, but can't bc of their jobs.:-(

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago (1 children)

At my job I run what my employer wants me to run. I get paid for it, they get to decide the OS.
But at home I've been running Linux since 2006.

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 4 months ago (12 children)

Well.. at least at home you can run Linux. That's a start. And otherwise try to switch or create your own business. It seems the latter is the only option to fully get rid of Windows, since soon companies will move to Windows 11 with Windows Recall and other AI bs. No thanks, I'm out.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago (3 children)

Oh yuck. I also switched away - half Linux, two-thirds Mac (hehe, all fun:-) - but not everyone can manage that.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I also like the LTSC version for my workstation, less nonsense.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Outside of junk pre-installed, isn't it also just a longer extended windows update? Meaning you'd eventually get the updates regardless?

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[–] [email protected] 12 points 4 months ago (2 children)

So far I've managed to avoid most this kind of crap with minor tweaking, but with end of life coming soon I've been meaning to make the switch for ages, but there are always more urgent priorities.. If you don't mind me asking, and if you know - is it still possible to switch from win10 to win10 LTSC, and if so, what does it entail (do I need a fresh install, or can I just upgrade?)?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago

I'm pretty sure it'll be a fresh install, even if you do it from within your existing install. It'll do a parallel install.

LTSC images (MD5 verifiable)

Microsoft Activation Scripts

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Fresh install is better tbh

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago (4 children)

Better, fair, but is it possible to upgrade an existing install? 😬

I have a lot going on right now and convenience is priority over ideal if I'm honest..

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 4 months ago (2 children)

Microsoft 365 is fucking garbage. I tried using it one time on my work computer and couldn't even export an Excel sheet into any other format besides a PDF and an Excel file. The only two things I never need to export an Excel sheet as. I couldn't even export it as a god damn text file. And the fact that I need an Internet connection makes it so much more finicky. I guess on the plus side when the Internet is down I don't have to do my job until it comes back.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago

Don't get me started on OneDrive

[–] [email protected] 18 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Were you on a free plan? Because csv export normally works fine.

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[–] [email protected] 219 points 4 months ago (5 children)

Aaand … it’s ads. What a surprise.

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