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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why did you switch? (lemm.ee)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Hey everyone,

I am exploring switching over to Linux but I would like to know why people switch. I have Windows 11 rn.

I dont do much code but will be doing some for school. I work remote and go to school remote. My career is not TOO technical.

What benefits caused you to switch over and what surprised you when you made the switch?

Thank you all in advanced.

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

I actually like Windows. Not because its a good OS (it isn't) but because my software works with it, and it works with my hardware.

Only problem Windows 11 has decided thaty hardware isn't compatible anymore thanks to no security chip and because it requires a mandatory account to use.

The security chip is me being stubborn, but the mandatory account is an issue because I know people who live off the grid, and not entirely by choice.

So I wanted to find an alternative and Valve is showing that Linux is good enough that they can ship thei Steam Deck to mass market, without Windows.

I've jumped 4 distros since starting this. POP_OS, Manjaro, EndeavorOS and Fedora. What I've learned is 3 things

Linux has become stable, no matter what OS I used the experience was the same software was the same. And most if not all of it just worked. Its not Windows with exe installs (unless you're using Wine/lutris) but its similar to android/iOS that I was able to get into it easily enough
which distro you want depends on the software you need and how up-to-date the packages need to be. Ubuntu (and any is based on it) has packages that are too out of date for me.
find a desktop environment that you like, since it really narrows down which distro you use. I like KDE plasma and if the distro doesn't game with it pre-installed or an installable option I won't use it.

The end result was some productivity software shuffling fusion to freecad, Vegas to resolve etc. But almost everything I needed was installed out of the box, or installable without extra packages. With flatpak and community repos filling in the blanks.

Currently on Fedora, and it's the closest distro to user friendly Linux I've used. Manjaro is a close second, but how the manage aur and their own packages caused me to destroy my install with no hope in recovery. Thankfully I was able to save my files.