this post was submitted on 15 May 2024
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Linux mint or zorin OS for layman beginners who just want everything to work and focuses on stability , privacy , security ? Also what to do if I switched to mint and WiFi stopped working ? (lemmy.sdf.org)
submitted 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Hey, so I just put this part up first because this is the one I urgently and importantly need answered even tho I wrote that hideous text block first (sorry English isn't my first language ).

1 So the question is I have live booted mint from a USB and everything is working like I can use internet on it , play YouTube video , the sound is working etc . But I'm afraid if I wipe windows and install mint as the main OS and the WiFi stops working I'll be fucked as I don't have a second machine except a phone to even fix it . There is no repair shop near and the ones I have to travel to go to charge very high for services and all the people I know are " just phone people" . Is it guaranteed that everything that works on a live USB will also work as the main OS ? Also is there a chance that updates could break the functionalities like WiFi, sound , rendering etc ? Cause I'm a layman and idk how to go about installing the correct kernal manually or some shit . And if its something like WiFi that got fucked I'll be extra fucked as I don't have a second device and can't even do it manually . Also as I said I can't afford servicing now . Also how do I switch back to windows lol ? I'm just running mint of the USB o don't know how to go back to windows, do I just pull the USB out ? Then what ? What are the steps on BIOS ? Shit I should've probably searched all these up before bit oh well as long as I'm making a post do feel free to answer idk if I should close my lap or not .I read a post on reddit of a guy whose WiFi stopped working after he made it his primary and he said that it worked on live USB . He was running mint too I believe, same as me with no other device .

Do try and reply to 1 (1 is the most important ) , 2 and 3 importantly and 4 you can do or not according to your free time .

2 Also what is the message on mints website talking about having to do something else for newer devices ? I now use an old thinkpad and it isn't an issue but I'm planning to do an upgrade real soon

3 Also how does the process vary with RISC-V architecture ? Is it there yet ? Any laptop to lookout for or is PC the only way ? I was thinking about switching to risc-v when upgrafing if any company manufactures components or laptop which they do fully as Foss . I am open to building a PC for RISC-V if I can buy full open source parts and if the Linux support is good .

4 I was thinking about switching to Linux for a long time cause I'm paranoid as fuck and always thought I should switch to mint as I'm a layman of all layman and recently got enough time to make it . But then I came to know of zorin OS which too seems to appease to begginers and the conseus between mint and zorin online vary a lot so thought I should just ask here as Lemmy seems to be crawling with Linux users . I mainly just want the drivers or hardware or kernal and all to just work perfectly all the time and not break after updates . I have also heard of some people having kernal issues and having to do it manually in which case I'll be fucked as I'm not savy . I mainly want good privacy and security . Zorin seem to have a paid version and I'm afraid devs will cut back on other version to promote that more and I have no plan to buy premium as i'm just getting into Linux and don't wanna make a big commitment maybe if I used it and settle on it I'll buy to support devs . Also mint is more popular and here to stay kinda shit right ? I don't care much about looking like windows or running window compatible apps and games I'll be just happy with the OS I'm choosing running all Linux shit . Also which appstore is better ? I heard mints software repo holds closed and outdated apps and don't have much idea about Zorin's . fdroid is one of the reason I grew to love android a place for all the good apps with no blobs and have everything I could ever need from galleries to browser . I would also like a that kinda app store supported distro with similar focus and policies on keeping apk updated , and building without proprietary blobs (like fennec ) and only foss .etc .

Sorry for the block of words , mistake grammer etc . English isn't my first language.

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 6 months ago

Honestly, dude.

With all the time and effort in writing this ling post, you could've installed Linux. For Linux Mint (and probably Zorin OS), everything you see on the live boot (except the OS installer) should be there on the installed system as well.

If you encountered some issue that renders your system inoperable due to that Linux installation, you can simply use the live boot, which you said works well.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

You've already received a ton of feedback, so I just to mention that if you ever find yourself without working WiFi, you can connect your cell phone to the computer and enable USB Tethering on the phone (Android and iOS). The computer will automatically detect this as a network connection, and use it, without the need for additional software. This works for Windows and Linux (and possibly macOS, I don't know).

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago

Thanks

[–] [email protected] 9 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (1 children)

If you have another spare USB stick you can put a Windows iso onto it (I assume you know how to do this if you have a Linux Mint usb) and so if your WiFi stops working then you can boot off of that, however, I have never had any WiFi issues on Linux personally so I don't think it's a huge issue, that's just me though. Linux Mint and Zorin OS are both pretty similar for beginners other than the look of them, so I'd just go with whichever you prefer the look of. I can't really say much about the app stores though.

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

I actually don't know how to make a windows USB lol . I did mints with a help of a YouTube channel and reading a fuckton of docs, guides, discussion . I also don't have another USB but I could by a cheap one .

[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago (5 children)

Making a Windows USB should be a very similar process to making a Linux Mint one, download to ISO and flash it onto a USB stick using whatever program (I recommend https://etcher.balena.io/) and if you can get another USB stick that could be pretty good or you can always flash Windows onto your Linux Mint USB once you've installed Linux Mint. Side Note: You can also Dual Boot Linux and Windows fairly easily so you can use both OSs on the same machine.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago
  1. rufus is way better on windows with "debloat windows" options
  2. Keep in mind windows doesnt ship many drivers in their ISO. So use their shitty media creation tool and hope this will add the needed drivers automatically, at least when creating the media on the same machine

Otherwise, ChrisTitus' "WinUtil" has "microWin" integrated. A utility that can convert that Windows ISO to a more minimal variant and also allows to include drivers.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 months ago

I installed mint and zorin on virtual machines (theyre easy to set up in windows with virtualbox) and then just put them fullscreen and used em like my actual computer for a bit. Very useful for learning stuff without the commitment of a proper install.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Just gonna jump in and say that those are conflicting goals. „Just work“ means stick to big tech or pay someone to make it work. Nobody else has a motivation to make it work for you.

If you want to know what works best I say for laypeople its something ubuntu based like mint, ubuntu, pop_os.

You can absolutely go nuts with security and privacy but you will have to learn tons of shot before you‘re able to get this to work so dont bother for now.

Good luck though. :)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (3 children)

ZorinOS actually has an option where you pay them 50$ and get a special iso which is supposed to just work.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

Thats pretty cool! Thanks for mentioning it.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago (3 children)

Wdym ? One of the reason I jumped on the Linux train is because everyone on lemmy saying nowadays Linux just works, its not like the old times , mint is now more stable than W11 etc .

[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Linux might "just work" but it highly depends on what you use it for, gaming is getting better but is not going to be nearly as good as on Windows and there are some proprietary software that straight up don't work such as MS Office and the Adobe Suite. However programming is very good on Linux and general office tasks and browsing the web works completely fine.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I don't game much if at all and I'd be happy to switch to libreoffice .

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago

You should probably be good then, at the moment gaming seems to be the main deterrent for Linux, and yeah Libreoffice is great and works for most people, just doesn't have some of the more specialist features for some people.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago (5 children)

well if you take the people on lemmy at face value I‘m not sure I can help you.

Of course, linux works great and for most intends and purposes, you can run it like you can run windows.

But that doesnt mean that it’s never gonna freak out on you. Games run mostly the same, except rootkit-shitware. So yes, in a very small „standard“ configuration-lane, it works flawless.

But if you start tinkering - to go all privacy nut for example - expect to see breakage. Its still community built stuff and not for profit proprietary shit that gets designed to make you use it.

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

That can be the case for most mainstream distros in expecteded platforms. You may find some quirks with RISC-V.

General package availability is fairly high but there's bound to be gaps in software you need. (You should be able to find this out in advance on a per-app or library basis). Projects like Box86 and FexEmu can maybe be applied here as well but that's another layer of complexity added to an already significant jump you're making.

Make the exploration of this arch a side project rather than a main goal for now. There are some very interesting SBCs available, the PineTab V looks pretty cool as well, but I'd by lying to you if I said you could depend on these devices as your primary system.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago

After installing mint, and you find a problem, just live boot mint again.

You can do a lot in live boot including mount your permanent copy even the kernel. Whatever is missing you can download put onto the installed hdd or usb storage, and then install.

Ask me how I know. Lol.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago

I don't know of an easier or more beginner friendly distro than zorin.

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

Nothing in live week ever be 100% guaranteed to work forever. You'll be fine, mostly.

  1. Yes, Live Linux system and regular install are practically identical. It's the same software. Everything should work. There's reason to assume Wifi will suddenly break. (Actually, Live systems differ a lot from a traditional install, but you can assume that what worked on the live system will work later. It is the same software after all. Same kernel including all drivers.)

  2. Keep this USB you have just booted from. This is the tool to recover if things should go south.

  3. You can keep Windows, usually, when installing Linux. The process requires "shrinking the Windows partition" and a boot loader that can handle both. Pretty standard; the installer should guide you.

  4. You can totally use a phone to google how to fix your Linux.

Have fun with Linux Mint. It's the Just works Linux.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago

I read a post on reddit of a guy whose WiFi stopped working after he made it his primary and he said that it worked on live USB . He was running mint too believe that's where I got the idea that this could be an issue . Also I know you can google how to fix it but most guides on how to fix something usually requires a PC .

[–] arthur 1 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Man, you will have some pain as any change will cause. But I think you will like it. Have a second USB to be safe.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Yeah I should probably have a second USB

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

Like, in general :D

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago

Live boot can be different than installed behaviour. i have had this problem on one laptop. Live USB was fine, install would complete but error out on boot with any debian based distro. So burn a USB for Zorin, Mint and maybe another choice, just so you can try another distro if you get installed OS issues

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (2 children)

Regarding Zorin OS or Mint. Which one do you like to look at the most? Have you watched reviews of them?

Zorin as well as Mint are a derivate of Ubuntu so it really comes down to look and feel. And in that case test them both out via Live Session from USB stick.

Oh and btw you can install and dual boot Linux next to Windows. That way you don't have to kill your windows installation. The Setup Process should guide you through the necessary steps.

Regarding RISC-V Vs x64 does it really matter what architecture your PC is running?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (7 children)

Regarding RISC-V Vs x64 does it really matter what architecture your PC is running?

Idk I thought if some company is making open source cpu's and works, I should support it as its more private and is more sure to not have backdoors .

Regarding Zorin OS or Mint. Which one do you like to look at the most? Have you watched reviews of them?

I'm actually running Mint of a live USB right now . I haven't watched any review of zorin OS yet but if UI is all that changes I guess I'll stay with mint .

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

For the meantime when buying a new machine look at Novacustom (EU) or System76 or Starlabs (US). They support and ship coreboot on some devices, but on very powerful machines.

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

Yes I was looking at System76 the prices are a bit high for me even with the specs lowered but maybe I'll treat meself .

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 months ago
  1. I dont think switching not officially supported desktops on Ubuntu base is easy. You need to uninstall the packages, remove the repos, add the new repos, install the new packages and hope you got all the configs. On Fedora Atomic desktops for example this is waaaay easier.
  2. Dualbooting with Windows works but causes many common problems. I always recommend at least using a separate SSD, to avoid having GRUB being overwritten by some janky "security cleanup" during "windows update"
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