start slow and don't let yourself be overwhelmed with a plethora of distros... Just relax and enjoy the journey. A distro I would recommend to start with is popOs! I use it on all my machines and I think it's great.
Ignore everything that talks about the command line, the 1000 different distros, and anything that sounds complicated. The only thing that's complicated that you need to know in order to switch is how to put Linux on your computer.
As far as choosing which variety of Linux, don't dig too deep. You don't have to commit your life to anything. If you've seen a family member or friend use Linux and you like what you see... use that. If you're buying a computer with Linux installed... use that. Otherwise, Linux Mint will possibly be the easiest to get used to coming from Windows - it's very user friendly, it's been around a long time, and there is a big help community online if you need it. (I don't personally use it, but I recommend it for a beginner, or really for anyone who doesn't know what they want.)
Once you have Linux up and running, it's easy to use and the things you'll need to learn here and there can be taken as they come, as would be the case with Windows or Mac.
1st: Have a look at cross-platform applications that are available on the current platform and Linux, and see if they are good for you (e.g. #LibreOffice, #Zotero, #Firefox, #Thunderbird, #Qoppa #PDFStudio, ...)
2nd: Is your computer/notebook and your printer etc. well supported by #Linux? Check the internet for it.
3rd: After switching: Look first for software in the distribution repositories and not on the websites of the projects. Install it from the distribution if available.
don't do it if you're happy with your current OS (non Linux). Do it if you're unhappy with it, or do it while thinking of the issues you've had with it. Maybe start slow, dual boot at first. But it's 2024 now, not 2004, so you'll be fine even with Wine
Please start by dual booting if possible. Linux isn't Windows and if you depend on specific proprietary software, you may find the open source equivalent might not be enough, or there might not even be one at all. But never the less, give it a week or two as your primary OS and give it a serious chance. And please choose a distro that tries to make it easy for new users, like Mint for example. There's no shame in wanting to have things just work.
My suggestion is to first try out (cross platform) open source apps first before looking for a Linux distro. Check out what there is to offer and explore the community. If it goes well, then the actual migration to Linux will be much easier.
Since we are talking about that, I notice that there are lots of cases: people who aren't affected by their OS (only use a browser and other applications that are available in many OSes), people that can't use Linux for leisure (some games don't run well on Linux yet because anti-cheat) or for work (my case, mostly because of Autodesk and structural analysis software, although Blender is little by little improving this situation).
Some suggest dual-booting, but, from experience, that's annoying!!! You have to manage files from different partitions and so on! Fireship talked about WSL in his latest OS video. What do you think of it?
Don't. Honestly, I'm skeptical about the benefits of Linux going mainstream. It could lead to unwanted regulation and the interference of big tech companies. Take #RedHat, for example—they made controversial moves without facing consequences. So, unless you're genuinely passionate about #Linux or appreciate the freedom it offers (which, let's face it, most people don't—they prefer a dumb, uniform, user-friendly experience like #Apple 's), it might not be the best direction to push for.
Marjan
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Nordnick :verified:
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Matv1
in reply to It's FOSS • • •TheZorse
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Ignore everything that talks about the command line, the 1000 different distros, and anything that sounds complicated. The only thing that's complicated that you need to know in order to switch is how to put Linux on your computer.
As far as choosing which variety of Linux, don't dig too deep. You don't have to commit your life to anything. If you've seen a family member or friend use Linux and you like what you see... use that. If you're buying a computer with Linux installed... use that. Otherwise, Linux Mint will possibly be the easiest to get used to coming from Windows - it's very user friendly, it's been around a long time, and there is a big help community online if you need it. (I don't personally use it, but I recommend it for a beginner, or really for anyone who doesn't know what they want.)
Once you have Linux up and running, it's easy to use and the things you'll need to learn here and there can be taken as they come, as would be the case with Windows or Mac.
Hope Destruction ♫
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Monoka
in reply to It's FOSS • • •1st: Have a look at cross-platform applications that are available on the current platform and Linux, and see if they are good for you (e.g. #LibreOffice, #Zotero, #Firefox, #Thunderbird, #Qoppa #PDFStudio, ...)
2nd: Is your computer/notebook and your printer etc. well supported by #Linux? Check the internet for it.
3rd: After switching: Look first for software in the distribution repositories and not on the websites of the projects. Install it from the distribution if available.
Daedalous Ilios
in reply to It's FOSS • • •sarcastictoast
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Jak2k 🐧🦀
in reply to It's FOSS • • •LuckyStoat
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Young Alpha
in reply to It's FOSS • • •theslik :tux: :firefox:
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Andrew Wedlake
in reply to It's FOSS • • •It's FOSS
in reply to Andrew Wedlake • • •Gustavo
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Since we are talking about that, I notice that there are lots of cases: people who aren't affected by their OS (only use a browser and other applications that are available in many OSes), people that can't use Linux for leisure (some games don't run well on Linux yet because anti-cheat) or for work (my case, mostly because of Autodesk and structural analysis software, although Blender is little by little improving this situation).
Some suggest dual-booting, but, from experience, that's annoying!!! You have to manage files from different partitions and so on! Fireship talked about WSL in his latest OS video. What do you think of it?
Lucifer
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Laura Orchid
in reply to It's FOSS • • •It's FOSS
in reply to Laura Orchid • • •