I'm upgrading my computer, but I'm scared
- Thread starter worthless_loser
- Start date
Can't add much else 
- let us know how it'll go? 
How are you going with Linux, @worthless_loser? What flavour (distro) are you using? Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora? I run Windows 11 on both my machines, but soon I will be buying a new laptop and will be installing Fedora on it.
Good luck with everything.
Good luck with everything.
I'm running Zorin OS.
It was either that, Mint, Devuan, or Artix.
Devuan worked, but I had trouble configuring it, and I'm kind of impatient.
I couldn't get Artix to work at all, and it's for more advanced users.
I decided on Zorin because it's recommended for beginners, and Zorin took more of a stand against age verification laws than Mint did.
So far, I've only had a few of problems.
But there are usually work arounds for most of them.
Like, I installed an app that I couldn't normally, and it works fine.
I'm still getting things to work right, but I can run video games I want, old and new.
Also, things seem a bit faster.
Why did you decide on Fedora?
Is it for work?
It was either that, Mint, Devuan, or Artix.
Devuan worked, but I had trouble configuring it, and I'm kind of impatient.
I couldn't get Artix to work at all, and it's for more advanced users.
I decided on Zorin because it's recommended for beginners, and Zorin took more of a stand against age verification laws than Mint did.
So far, I've only had a few of problems.
But there are usually work arounds for most of them.
Like, I installed an app that I couldn't normally, and it works fine.
I'm still getting things to work right, but I can run video games I want, old and new.
Also, things seem a bit faster.
Why did you decide on Fedora?
Is it for work?
Glad to hear that the Zorin install came out well. Debian/Ubuntu derived distros like Zorin typically are easier to install and work with for new users to Linux. One of the best things with Debian derived is the large number of users of those in various systems so any issues you may have you can search the problem and forums like Mint and Ubuntu forums may have some solutions or suggestions that may help you along. I use a number of different ones, I have Fedora on a small form factor laptop for travel and for home I do more with openSUSE Tumbleweed. I believe Fedora 44 is coming out within the next few days, so it should be interesting to see which changes there may be.
Good on you for cutting the cord from windows! I want to switch but I have an HP laptop that I found out too late does not play well with Linux. I am not one to shy away from a challenge though, and since the current box is not exactly a powerhouse, I am thinking that cobbling something together with an external drive or whatever to run Linux would be less hardware intensive than the Windows updates that hamstring the poor thing for about 40 minutes every Tuesday evening! If you can’t tell I had the thought again tonight, while waiting for the second or third reboot during its insane update process, and I updated it a week ago, too, so it’s not like it was catching up from last November.
sorry for hijacking ur thread to bitch about M$FT
sorry for hijacking ur thread to bitch about M$FT
Thank you.
I might switch to Devuan if I get better at using Zorin and the Terminal.
Bitch away.
One of the reasons I switched is because Microslop sucks and is getting worse.
I only wish I switched earlier.
For laptops, I heard Lenovo Thinkpads are best for Linux.
They have some for cheaper at Backmarket, if you're interested.
I'm not sure what those are.
I looked it up and Gnome is native to Zorin, but you can install KDE if you want.
I might switch to Devuan if I get better at using Zorin and the Terminal.
Bitch away.
One of the reasons I switched is because Microslop sucks and is getting worse.
I only wish I switched earlier.
For laptops, I heard Lenovo Thinkpads are best for Linux.
They have some for cheaper at Backmarket, if you're interested.
I'm not sure what those are.
I looked it up and Gnome is native to Zorin, but you can install KDE if you want.
Lenovo is quite good for laptops for Linux because you can find them relatively inexpensive but with good amounts of RAM and decent processors. I believe the four I have are Ideapads and I prefer the non 10 key style for smaller size. One of the good bits with not getting higher priced machinery is you are apt to be breaking the thing when tinkering around and may reinstall a few times. I started out with the terminal so was already comfortable. One thing I always install on a system is Blesh/Bash Line editor which will help with autosuggesting regularly used commands:
https://www.baeldung.com/linux/shell-add-syntax-highlighting-other-features
As I have gotten older the memory ain't as sharp as it used to be. LOL I also change the timeout from 10 to 30 minutes so to not have to enter the password when using SUDO for 30 minutes. If you are like me and like to experiment you will probably have a bit of fun learning the system.
https://www.baeldung.com/linux/shell-add-syntax-highlighting-other-features
As I have gotten older the memory ain't as sharp as it used to be. LOL I also change the timeout from 10 to 30 minutes so to not have to enter the password when using SUDO for 30 minutes. If you are like me and like to experiment you will probably have a bit of fun learning the system.
I'm not used to terminal stuff yet.
I'm trying to learn from LabEx, but I'm lazy.
Mostly, I'm trying to get my games and apps to work.
I'll read the link you posted later.
There's been a learning curve, but I'm getting there.
AI is super helpful
I'm using the Leo AI from the Brave browser.
I've gotten almost everything fixed through that.
But I know I got to learn the terminal stuff eventually.
What distros are you considering?
I thought of Mint, Zorin, Devuan, and Artix.
I'm trying to learn from LabEx, but I'm lazy.
Mostly, I'm trying to get my games and apps to work.
I'll read the link you posted later.
There's been a learning curve, but I'm getting there.
AI is super helpful
I'm using the Leo AI from the Brave browser.
I've gotten almost everything fixed through that.
But I know I got to learn the terminal stuff eventually.
What distros are you considering?
I thought of Mint, Zorin, Devuan, and Artix.
I’m kinda sorta thinking about starting with TAILS, the super privacy oriented distro. I used Debian/GNU back in the day, like waaaaay back when you got email by dialing into your email server, and then disconnecting from there to get on usenet or standalone BBSs. Yeah, I am old as dirt in internet time, lol.
I have already learned BASH command line, though, so scripting and OS configuration experiments are not new to me. I have enough basic knowledge to generally solve whatever problem or task I have with the help of the documentation. I guess I’m mentioning that to hopefully make shell scripting less imposing, and to say that the best distro is the one that you will use, meaning whatever is tuned best to your use cases. It seems like gaming is your focus (?) If so, it’s going to be a function of what type of gaming you do the most.
I have already learned BASH command line, though, so scripting and OS configuration experiments are not new to me. I have enough basic knowledge to generally solve whatever problem or task I have with the help of the documentation. I guess I’m mentioning that to hopefully make shell scripting less imposing, and to say that the best distro is the one that you will use, meaning whatever is tuned best to your use cases. It seems like gaming is your focus (?) If so, it’s going to be a function of what type of gaming you do the most.
Last edited:
That is or can be an issue with Arch based, how many things such as dependencies may not work with other components. I have installed the original Arch maybe a half dozen times, great learning experience but very time consuming. Artix should be easier an easier to install Arch based system. I like RebornOS and have a system set up for it. Very straightforward on the install and you can pick the desktop environment which has most popular ones like GNOME, KDE, Cinnamon, etc. One thing I like about Reborn is when you are going through it it will let you pre-pick and pre install so much of the software you may want like media players, GIMP, text editors, book readers, browsers, office suites.
Just several dozen of my endless thoughts - take what seems useful:
I think it’s a good idea to go ahead and try stuff with the awareness that it will likely need to be touched up after the fact. That is how I got good with computers in the first place. My mom would break something and then send me to go fix it, lol.
So I can recommend this as a technique to bolster your learning. Additionally, stuff breaks no matter what eventually, and it’s better to learn how to troubleshoot and resolve problems before it’s an emergency.
It’s also good motivation to establish an appropriate backup strategy, which is also something that is much easier to learn before you really need it. If you can find someone who uses a computer for much more than email, and yet has never had a hard drive go belly up without warning, then make really good friends with them because they know secrets that are unavailable to mere mortals like me.
And yet I don’t know your needs and resources well enough to say that learning shell scripting, or any other data management tools is really the best use of your time. A computer is (theoretically) a tool. It’s a tool with very many uses and it would be a demanding discipline to devote time to learning things just because someone said you should. I know that for myself, though, it’s difficult to resist wanting to know everything regardless of what practical use I might have for a given skill. I believe that it’s entirely valid to have intellectual curiosity as the main reason for learning something, just as long as I know that this is what I am doing, and I am willing to deprioritize the bright shiny things when the more critical but less glamorous work needs doing.
I think it’s a good idea to go ahead and try stuff with the awareness that it will likely need to be touched up after the fact. That is how I got good with computers in the first place. My mom would break something and then send me to go fix it, lol.
So I can recommend this as a technique to bolster your learning. Additionally, stuff breaks no matter what eventually, and it’s better to learn how to troubleshoot and resolve problems before it’s an emergency.
It’s also good motivation to establish an appropriate backup strategy, which is also something that is much easier to learn before you really need it. If you can find someone who uses a computer for much more than email, and yet has never had a hard drive go belly up without warning, then make really good friends with them because they know secrets that are unavailable to mere mortals like me.
And yet I don’t know your needs and resources well enough to say that learning shell scripting, or any other data management tools is really the best use of your time. A computer is (theoretically) a tool. It’s a tool with very many uses and it would be a demanding discipline to devote time to learning things just because someone said you should. I know that for myself, though, it’s difficult to resist wanting to know everything regardless of what practical use I might have for a given skill. I believe that it’s entirely valid to have intellectual curiosity as the main reason for learning something, just as long as I know that this is what I am doing, and I am willing to deprioritize the bright shiny things when the more critical but less glamorous work needs doing.