I’ve wanted to go over to Linux for a long time but I have no idea how to go about it. I hear about incompatibility problems with hardware and all the different options for different Linux OS’s and that’s it, I forget about it for a while to avoid the headache.

So where do I start? I don’t even know how to choose hardware or what to look for. The number of options with Linux makes things a little confusing.

And although others here have answered the question before, I’m unsure what I have to do to stay ‘safe’ on Linux. Are there extra steps or is it just the standard, don’t open dodgy links and turn off Java script in the PDF viewer kind of thing? Does Linux come with a trustworthy firewall/antivirus/malware detection? Is there a chance of Linux e.g. sending my passwords, etc, to someone or just letting someone into my harddrive? I hear that ‘open source’ means people can check the code but how do I know if someone has checked the code—I wouldn’t know what to look for myself.

I followed the Linux subreddit but the users the can be rather… enthusiastic, which is great, but I need something far more basic to get started lol.

Is there a good step-by-step guide somewhere? Or can anyone give me some pointers/tips/advice?

I mainly browse, type, and read pdfs and other text files. No gaming, although I wouldn’t be opposed to it. No need to be mobile; laptops are terrible for my back so I always use an external monitor, anyway, so I won’t be using it ‘on the go’.

  • WagnasT@iusearchlinux.fyiEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    For the usage you describe really any distribution is fine. A distribution is like a style of linux. Mint, Fedora, and Manjaro are pretty easy ones to start with, just pick one and download the iso file. From there you can make a bootable USB drive where you can play with whichever one you chose, they will have instructions on any of their respective websites on how to make a bootable USB. The best part is that the bootable USB doesn’t change your existing system until you tell it to, so at any point you can unplug the USB and boot back into windows.

    Here’s a slightly dated video on how to do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vq_v0oGPH8

    Chris has a great channel and likely covers questions that are going to come up for you.

    Best of luck, don’t be afraid to ask questions. One of the best ways to learn is to break stuff and figure out how to get back to a working system.

    • redtea@lemmygrad.mlOPEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Thanks for this. I’ve had some good answers so I’ll definitely be back with more questions when I hit walls. I hope you all know what you’ve let yourselves in for :D

      That’s a helpful video and resource, thanks.