My top tip is if you want to get comfortable and good at Linux, then use it as your main regular OS and find community support if you get stuck on anything.
Just do it ^^ There is many distro, don't think Linux is not for your because you tested one and you didn't like it. Mint is meant for beginners and very easy to use. Big community online to help if need, just ask. If you want a dualboot (keep Windows too), install linux AFTER windows. Ask help if needed for partition. Don't be scared.
If you can afford to, just buy a computer from a Linux-only vendor like #Purism, #Tuxedo, #Slimbook, #StarLabs, #System76, etc. You will get professional support, and contribute towards making desktop Linux really succeed.
If you can't afford it, ask your local retailers to sell computers with #Linux, otherwise you'll take your money elsewhere.
If you run into a issue, there is a chance somebody has the same problem already, and probably, somebody will post the answer on github, replit, mastodon etc ... .Just open your favorite browser and type your problem.
Don't just wing it. Learn the commands from a youtube course or a manual. I wasted too much time doing something not knowing the right command tgat could do the same thing I was trying to do, but much quicker
You don't need to use the terminal at all, at least not until you actually know what you're doing. Installing Flatpaks is perfectly okay (This is advice I'm giving myself a year ago lol).
start a side project with any random machine, old laptop, raspberry pi. just any project that could make your life easier but is not crucial in your life. and since linux can run on a potato you don’t have to make a big investment. take what you got. run with it and don’t be scared to breake things. make it your goal to break things. because you‘ll learn from that. and every mistake made in the beginning will save you from making that same mistake later, when it’s mission critical.
You can start with a dual-boot installation. You will keep your Windows partition for your peace of mind (you won't use it as much as you may think), and you will have your Linux partition to work with.
Use Timeshift to automatically backup your system (not your files!) so that if you screw something up, you can restore your system back to some earlier timepoint.
Don't get caught up in distro wars. They all have their own advantages and disadvantages. As you learn more, you will develop your own preferences, but remember they are just preferences. Personally, I use PureOS at home and Ubuntu at work, but when I install linux for a newbie, I almost always install Linux Mint.
gemelen
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Dominik Tomić
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in reply to It's FOSS • • •If you can afford to, just buy a computer from a Linux-only vendor like #Purism, #Tuxedo, #Slimbook, #StarLabs, #System76, etc. You will get professional support, and contribute towards making desktop Linux really succeed.
If you can't afford it, ask your local retailers to sell computers with #Linux, otherwise you'll take your money elsewhere.
liberloebi 📖
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in reply to It's FOSS • • •Personally, I use PureOS at home and Ubuntu at work, but when I install linux for a newbie, I almost always install Linux Mint.
🐜
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Inaction Figure
in reply to It's FOSS • • •Lots of good advice here.
Find a good support community and engage with them! The default community supported by your distro is a great place to start.
It's FOSS
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