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Darvond: Third, being afraid of the Termina/Command line. Unlike the DOS prompt, bash is actually quite elegant and swift, which makes it the preferred way to do many tasks, since you can actively monitor them.
I'm a total wuss with it. I *do* use it, but only in very narrow fields - and always feel like I'm missing out because of it. Like not knowing how to drive a standard.

I *really* need to just watch a quick Youtube video or three and I bet it'll be all sorted - I grew up using the DOS prompt so I doubt it'll be that hard an adjustment - I just need to get the commands and syntax down. Because I notice a lot of people will go with giving help / advice with command line terms.

OP I went with Linux Mint - it's not really a tough adjustment. I still predominantly use Win 7 for gaming. But funny enough Mint is like 100Xs better for photo editing, word processing and is my go to for that.

Also - at least as far as I can tell - one common problem you'll come across is Copy / Paste LOL.

I'm near 100% certain you HAVE to keep the source of the copy open when you paste.
For trying out Linux:

A Virtual Machine can be used to try out the system to see if you like it. (It's not good for checking hardware compatibility or running (graphical) games, however.)

Booting from a Live CD or USB allows you to check whether your hardware works under Linux without having to wipe out your existing system.

I'd actually say that Debian is a good place to start. Depending on your system (this is especially the case for systems that need wifi for an internet connection), you might need the iso with non-free firmware.

As for hardware, my biggest suggestion would be to avoid Nvidia, as those graphics cards don't have good open source drivers.

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Ixamyakxim: Also - at least as far as I can tell - one common problem you'll come across is Copy / Paste LOL.

I'm near 100% certain you HAVE to keep the source of the copy open when you paste.
I haven't experienced that.

However, one rather nice feature of most Linux graphical environments (that I miss whenever I have to use a Windows machine) is that you can copy text just by highlighting it and then pressing the scroll wheel down to paste it wherever the mouse cursor is. (Note that this uses a separate clipboard from the one you get with the right mouse button or keyboard shortcuts.)

One other thing: Don't paste commands from a web browser directly into a terminal, as there are some security issues with that (what's displayed on the web page might not match what's copied); instead, paste it into a text file, then copy that to the terminal if it looks right.
Post edited May 25, 2019 by dtgreene
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adamhm: Out of curiosity, what peripherals were you having trouble with exactly?
A scanner, a printer and an external DVD burner.
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adamhm: Out of curiosity, what peripherals were you having trouble with exactly?
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BreOl72: A scanner, a printer and an external DVD burner.
Which ones specifically?

DVD burner in particular seems like something that shouldn't require any special drivers... I have two external DVD burners (Samsung model no. SE-218 and LiteOn model no. eBAU108) and they're both plug & play, AFAIK using generic drivers and software. They were both cheap :p

As for printer manufacturers... I actually bought a new network laser printer recently to replace the ageing LaserJet 2100TN I had. I made sure that the printer I chose (Kyocera P5021CDW) supports Linux so it was no problem to set up & works great. Most printers I looked at actually support Linux, but it's not surprising that some manufacturers seem to be firmly against Linux given how some of them really like to lock their stuff down with DRM (including consumables).

I don't have much experience with scanners to comment on those however. I guess it'd be a similar situation to printers.
Post edited May 25, 2019 by adamhm
Linux is a great system. If it was better supported on the market, I'd gladly use it. I've used it for periods before. And nothing beats (mostly) free (mostly because I have software needs that I don't have to pay extra for in Windows... yet). I prefer windows for ease of use. Linux isn't prohibitive, but I get frustrated everytime I get to a function it doesn't do or does differently and is rather unintuitive to figure it out. Some things are easier than others, and Linux is GREAT. I always ask for Linux support despite that I don't use it anymore because I appreciate the (often snobby) community and I am at least in part, a tinkerer and a computer command line soldier.

One day, I hope Linux or ReactOS get to a point where they are complete viable options for me. Looking at ReactOS, it is almost like too good to be true if they get it working.
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Yeshu: . . .
If you're interested in trying Linux and you are used to using windows, I'd suggest Linux Mint.

Very easy to use and there are lots of tutorials and even physical books available that cover the ins and outs of how to use this particular version of Linux.

Also, if you have a windows game you want to play that is not a native linux application you can use a program called WINE to emulate windows. (This works on even many high end modern games.)

In fact, unless I'm mistaken WINE even supports Win 3.1 programs which actual windows often has trouble legacy supporting.

DOS era programs from GOG that are listed as windows only can still be run using a linux version of DOSBox, you'll just need to unpack the windows install program and then move and setup the files to run with your linux DOSBox instead of GOG's included windows one.

To do this I suggest trying to install the Windows version with WINE then moving the relevant files to the folder/directory you want to your native linux copy of DOSBox.
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Yeshu: I have been trying to get into it on several occasions and every time I came across hostility on Linux forums, where I was seen more as a intruder rather than potential new user.
The linux mint forum seems to be reasonably friendly to newcomers when I've used it.

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Ixamyakxim: OP I went with Linux Mint - it's not really a tough adjustment. I still predominantly use Win 7 for gaming. But funny enough Mint is like 100Xs better for photo editing, word processing and is my go to for that.
I've heard a lot of praise for the Krita art program, may be worth a look for you.

People say its like using Photoshop augmented with several other art programs, and as far as I am aware it is completely free.
Post edited May 25, 2019 by SpellSword
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BreOl72: Like you, I was under the impression, under Linux there are no real problems...after all, that's what Linux users always claim
Where did you get that impression? I have never said that, and I've never heard anyone who actually uses Linux and understands how things work say that. I've been using Linux as a main OS since the first Slackware with 1.0 kernels came out, and I've never had a machine that works 100% with Linux. Even on servers running distros supported directly by the vendor there are minor features that the vendor doesn't care enough about to offer Linux support for. Somewhere in the late 80s hardware vendors stopped documenting their hardware (data sheets became nothing more than ads), and that meant I couldn't use it any more, an any OS (I never used DOS or Windows as my primary OS; at most I used it as a game launcher in the old days). Third party support is also bound to Windows: my ISPs in the past have refused to admit the entire city's network was down because I couldn't run their preferred Windows diagnostic commands (after all, they do tech support from a menu, and the menu has no room for Linux). Some hardware drivers on Linux are from reverse-engineering, which is never an adequate solution: it very likely doesn't support all the features of the hardware (e.g. almost no batter powered device supports proper power level reading or management, and my USB power management and SD card readers have never been reliable -- I have scripts that force both to work when needed). My current machine is broken in a number of ways (I'm typing on a USB keyboard sitting on top of my laptop's keyboard, because the laptop's keyboard is broken in Linux), but I live with it, because the alternative is Windows In fact, the BIOS is broken, and tech support says that they won't fix it, or even look into it because I don't run Windows (which they even consider a warranty-voiding violation, probably illegally so, but I haven't the resources to fight them), so I have to live with that, too.

This is why I don't recommend Linux to anyone, especially people like the OP. If you're happy with Windows, stick with it. Every time I use Windows, I feel like I'm in a straitjacket. I'd rather be pissed at hardware vendors and "tech support" than deal with Windows. Even wine is more Windows than I want to deal with more than I have to. I really wish I could recommend it more, as more users means more support from third parties. So far, that hasn't panned out too well, though, so what's the point? We still don't get hardware documentation (maybe, if we're lucky, we'll get a poorly documented, low feature, low performance vendor-supplied driver, or even a binary-only driver, yay!). Third party tech support still insists on Windows. No progress has been made in 20 years; millions of users isn't enough. Video support has even gone backwards, in a way, since it's impossible to get a chip up and running even for 2D without a vendor-supplied dirver (yes, that includes both Intel and AMD -- the docs they provide are for after the chip is running, at best).

I also don't offer general advice to people, because their needs and tools are different. I don't know how to use the graphical tools to set up networking or mount/dismount USB devices, because I use the command line and config file editing for such things. I don't use a mainstream distro and I'm more comfortable with rxvt and xjed than some bloated graphical tools that depend on bloated backend stuff that I try to avoid. I even still insist on using my window manager from 20 years ago, because modern window managers dropped many of the useful ideas from that (like a large virtual desktop or proper placement and snapping and not taking over stuff it has no business taking over, like power management, with no way to turn their "features" off).
I'd highly recommend to try out Linux Mint. It's very beginner-friendly. Faster to install than Windows, and you basically have everything you need out of the box. I'm far from an expert Linux user, as can be seen from various threads around the place, but I wouldn't say I have any problems with Linux. Not any more (it was different a few years ago). Even games work much better now, with DXVK.

That doesn't mean there won't be any problems, of course there can be. But I honestly have more issues with Windows 10 at work than I've ever had with Linux at home. Perhaps the biggest downside to a Linux system, at least for me, is the lack of Office. LibreOffice is good, don't get me wrong, but it isn't as good as the MS variant. Perhaps especially Excel, which I use a lot through work. Pivot tables and stuff like that simply isn't anywhere near as good in the Linux variant of Office.

And besides the better usability of Linux, I like that it's not just a spybox that I have next to no control over. The amount of times Windows will simply override everything, start installing updates, restart, crap like, is quite frankly infuriating. So many hours lost at work due to such idiocy.

The biggest stumbling block is probably the different file system and harddisk partition setup. Helps to read up a little about it, for instance from adam's guide.
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Ixamyakxim: I'm a total wuss with it. I *do* use it, but only in very narrow fields - and always feel like I'm missing out because of it. Like not knowing how to drive a standard.

I *really* need to just watch a quick Youtube video or three and I bet it'll be all sorted - I grew up using the DOS prompt so I doubt it'll be that hard an adjustment - I just need to get the commands and syntax down. Because I notice a lot of people will go with giving help / advice with command line terms.

OP I went with Linux Mint - it's not really a tough adjustment. I still predominantly use Win 7 for gaming. But funny enough Mint is like 100Xs better for photo editing, word processing and is my go to for that.

Also - at least as far as I can tell - one common problem you'll come across is Copy / Paste LOL.

I'm near 100% certain you HAVE to keep the source of the copy open when you paste.
You shouldn't have to use it, is the thing to keep in mind. It's just that it so happens to be faster to open the terminal window, hit CTRL+R to Recall a command, type U to start searching for update, hit enter, password, and wait.

Linux has a ton of universal shortcuts and discovering them is in essence, akin to discovering the overdrive. If you aren't sure how a command goes or what the syntax is, use man and tab.
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Yeshu: However I'm willing to listen to these peoples advice. So I ask this to any Linux enthusiasts on the Forum. How am I supposed to get into using Linux as my primary OS?
Well, it helps if you don't want to use Windows anymore and consequently nuke it from your drives.

Mint or MX wouldn't be terrible choices to start with, I think. Make a few livesticks, see what you prefer (and what works best with your hardware), maybe read up on partitioning, if you have more than one physical disc. Adamhm has a comprehensive Beginner's Guide and it's never a bad idea to keep the ArchWiki close (useful for any distro).

Honestly, off the top of my head that's about it. Question is why do you want to switch and where did you run into trouble before?

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Ixamyakxim: I'm a total wuss with it. I *do* use it, but only in very narrow fields - and always feel like I'm missing out because of it. Like not knowing how to drive a standard.

I *really* need to just watch a quick Youtube video or three and I bet it'll be all sorted - I grew up using the DOS prompt so I doubt it'll be that hard an adjustment - I just need to get the commands and syntax down. Because I notice a lot of people will go with giving help / advice with command line terms.
This isn't the worst place to start. And you're right, it's a gradual learning process, but if you were comfortable with DOS prompt, you're probably going to be fine with the terminal.
Post edited May 26, 2019 by lolplatypus
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Yeshu: Please provide me with guidance to get under the Pinguin banner.
Over the past couple of decades I've bought several Apple computers with Mac OS X (or macOS) for myself and for other people, as well as given recommendations for a few other computer purchases. However, even in these past few years of that, I typically now have the same two recommendations.

The first recommendation is pretty much to weed out those people merely curious. I always say the everyday person should not have a computer. That's because the everyday person does not have a computer engineering department at home, let alone a tech support department to figure what the computer engineering department didn't document. Everyday persons are always waiting for someone else to magically know what application to create without having been asked what is desired. Even if someone is found that will make something for a specific everyday person, then by the time the application is created it is likely that everyday person will want to do something else (either in addition or entirely different). Hence even more waiting.

In other words, either good luck being satisfied with someone else's interests (like wearing someone else's clothing or eating their choices of food), or good luck in having time to wait for someone else (a computer programmer or engineer) to customize the computer.

The second recommendation I give is for people who know the difference between the hardware, the operating system, and applications. If someone does know the difference, and it sounds like you do know, then I tell them to never buy a computer with the primary interest of either the hardware or the operating system. The main focus for purchasing should always be the desired application or program (and preferably one you already know how to use, or are getting paid to learn it).

The reason is because the software developer of that application will reveal the requirements for that application you have decided you want to use, and that is how to know what operating system to get and what hardware. Their hardware recommendation is typically general, and their operating system recommendation is typically more specific.

As such, I'd say to you to find software that you want to use (and preferably is already familiar) that works with an operating system that has Linux as its kernel, but only because you expressed an interest in experiencing something with Linux. I consider the operating system itself as just background noise, something that isn't important to what is desired to get done. It's the application that people use. Otherwise, you just end up with a rather expensive and bulky device that's no more useful than a doorstop, like a game console that doesn't have the games you want already made for it.

Hopefully, you won't mind my clarifying what Linux is by sharing an analogy of comparing a computer to an ordinary car.

I consider the hardware of a computer to be equivalent to the parts of a car: the headlights, the wheels attached to the axels, the door windows, the engine hood and trunk hood (because often there is lever for them by the driver's seat), the windshield wipers, and so forth. I consider the operating system of a computer, such as GNU/Linux, to be equivalent to the controls and wiring of a car, as the controls and wiring enable using the hardware of the car.

For example, the controls for the headlights are connected with wiring to the headlights, so there are three parts: the headlights-control-knob, the wiring, and the headlights. Similarly, the steering wheel is the control, and the steering column and shaft leading to the wheels is what connects the steering wheel to the hardware. Specifically, Linux is just the wiring (and steering column, and such), while GNU/Linux is both the controls (knobs, switches, steering wheel, and so forth) and wiring.

GNU was supposed to be a complete operating system on its own, but it lacked stable wiring. Linux happen to become well developed wiring sooner than what could be developed for the GNU operation system, so Linux was adopted as the wiring for the GNU operating system for connecting the controls (various programs) to the hardware (display, keyboard, printer, etc.). Hence it is credited as being GNU/Linux rather than just GNU. Nobody actually uses Linux any more so than anybody actually sits on a pile of wiring to drive somewhere. Yanking on the wires doesn't operate a car, its the controls that are the interface to the hardware.

Anyway, if you want to use pencil and paper, then you gotta think of a use for pencil and paper. So that's why I'd say find an application that works with an operating system that uses Linux if you really want to have the experience of that type of so-called "wiring" in your computer.

Just keep in mind that while GNU/Linux is considered to be stable enough for everyday use, it is just as fallible as any other operating system. That is, it might not have the knowledge of how to connect to the hardware of a computer or the peripherals attached, but that can be said of macOS and MS Windows, too, because they typically download device drivers (f.e. software for printers) only when needed and are not included otherwise. If you have ever sought out device drivers for a printer from its manufacturer, then you already know what to do to seek out the device drivers for any hardware for use with any operating system when that operating system doesn't find them itself (which can happen with either macOS or MS Windows, too).

There's a variety of GNU/Linux operating systems, but the ones with less freedom for making and distributing changes/corrections to the software needed for connecting to various hardware (t.i. device drivers) are ironically the operating systems most likely to work with more hardware. That's because the hardware manufacturers know their own hardware and make the software for it, while also not sharing the source code and not licensing it to allow for modifications, and instead legally restricting distribution of modifications.

Therefore, I think it is best to choose hardware whose manufacturers distribute the source code with licensing allowing for modifications and distribution of those modifications, such as with the General Public License (GPL). Otherwise, you are depending on the manufacturer to make timely corrections and updates, and at some point they might lose interest in continuing to support it before you lose interest in using the hardware. Admittedly, that can be said of any computer part, not just the peripherals. I mention this mostly because GOG promotes the lack of digital restriction management (DRM), which addresses a similar issue.
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Yeshu: Most of us have probably noticed the meltdown some people had do to the lack of Linux support for GOG 2.0.

Comment after comment about how the OS that is less than 4% of GOG user base is being so tragically ignored.

However I'm willing to listen to these peoples advice. So I ask this to any Linux enthusiasts on the Forum. How am I supposed to get into using Linux as my primary OS?

I have been trying to get into it on several occasions and every time I came across hostility on Linux forums, where I was seen more as a intruder rather than potential new user.

I'm being serious now. Please provide me with guidance to get under the Pinguin banner.
I can give my feedback as a Windows and Linux Mint user, others might be better qualified to "guide you".
I am more of a hardware guy, I know very little of software stuff. That being said, Linux Mint it´s far easier to use than Windows.
You have all the computer settings in one page, correctly organized. Not like the bloated "control panel" in windows where you simply take forever to adjust the mouse speed.
Only the GPU driver is needed most of the times (only Nvidia), corrected with 3 or 4 clicks, no need to download from the website, there is a small program already on the OS that do it for you, is called "drivers" XD
There are some stuff wich don´t work but I have more trouble with Windows than Linux Mint. Spent 8+ hours last week to change Windows 10 to win 8.1 on a touchscreen device, and no touchscreen, no wifi, no bluetooth and touchpad was jerky. Linux Mint worked flawlessly, not a single driver needed to install.
Most software is available in the software center, like "google play store", where you choose the software, click it and it works.

If you are ok changing hardware on the device, use a cheap 17 euros 120 Gb SSD, install the OS and try it, takes around 5 minutes aftes the OS is downloaded. Give it a couple of days. Most GOG games installed with 2 clicks, Steam games work just fine, even most windows games do as well now, multiplayer games are a bit hit and miss. Otherwise just test on a live USB (you can try the OS without install).
Some games run much better on Linux (others do not, like CSGO), like Dirt Rally I can beat my Windows times very easy on Linux, the game is simply butter smooth. My wheel, and gamepads works without any trouble.

General browsing, youtube etc is as good if not better on Linux Mint.
For more advance OS stuff you may require to use the terminal, wich I hate, since I have the desktop setup to use with mouse only, whenever possible. Although, is much friendly than in windows. Most forum help, or tuturial websites will be terminal way, nothing more than copy paste some instuctions.

My advise would be staying with a Ubuntu based distro as it is much easier to setup without deeper knowledge:
Linux Mint, Ubuntu, POP OS, Deepin, Zorin etc.
So instead of posting a wall of text, I'll post a few quick and easy youtube videos, alright?

So what's the graphical interface like?
quidsup's Ubuntu Mate Review: Ubuntu MATE 18.04 LTS Review - Unity Salvation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h4R-yP2x80

I recommend Ubuntu Mate by the way! You should check out quidsups other reviews as well!

How do you find and install software and programs?
quidsup again: How to Install Applications in Ubuntu Linux
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_v8sPr9zkA

What's gaming like on Linux?
Linus Tech Tips: Microsoft Should be VERY Afraid - Noob's Guide to Linux Gaming
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co6FePZoNgE

Is the terminal/shell/command line terrifying? No, it's actually very simple and easy!
TutorialLinux: Linux Command-Line for Beginners: Your First 5 Minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=id3DGvljhT4

Managing software and programs in the terminal?
Linux for everyone: Difference Between apt and apt-get Explained
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMfxrDkrDlY

A little tip: Search up your hardware for linux incompatibilities!
As long as it's Intel and Nvidia based, you're probably good to go!


Edit: Check this video as well!
Drivers, other basics to know:
quidsup: Top 14 Things To Do After Installing Ubuntu 18.04
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq3BJHztdoU
Post edited May 27, 2019 by onemnstr
How is gaming on Linux these days? Are you all able to get most things to run with wine, or some other solution (that doesn’t envolve steam) . I’m wanting to make the switch, but would hate to loose the ability to play most of my library.
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UltraComboTV: How is gaming on Linux these days? Are you all able to get most things to run with wine, or some other solution (that doesn’t envolve steam) . I’m wanting to make the switch, but would hate to loose the ability to play most of my library.
Lutris have a nice compatibility list.
https://lutris.net/games/

Edit: You can check Steam Proton compatibility list as well, what plays under Proton will most likelly play the same under Wine/DXVK:
https://www.protondb.com/


Very usefull info:
https://www.gog.com/forum/general/adamhms_linux_mint_beginners_guide/page1
Post edited May 27, 2019 by Dark_art_