I’m using virtual box to try it out. I went with Linux linux mint cinnamon and it’s running great. Any program suggestions to try out or any general advice?

  • Guenther_Amanita@feddit.de
    141·
    1 year ago

    My advice: install it on a second hard drive. You can also install it besides Windows, but that might break after a Windows update.

    Linux feels different on bare metal than in a virtual machine. In a VM, it feels sluggish and is more prone to glitches.

    Things to do/ my tips:

    • use it just like you would use a PC normally (surfing, file management, etc.)
    • If you decide to install it on bare metal, try gaming on it. It is almost as viable as Windows for that, and pretty much all (single player) games work on it, often even better!
    • Use the package management system. Linux has the best ever! You don't need to install random stuff from the internet, you just go into the software center, search for it and click "install", just like on Android. System- and app-updates are usually at the same place.
    • Stay on Mint for a while. You made the right choice, it is one of the best distros out there, especially for beginners! See, what you dislike and what you like, and only then jump to another distro. Otherwise, you will reinstall your OS every week.
    • Don't try to force-install everything you're used on Windows. Some stuff, like MS-Office, isn't just available here. You have to look out for alternatives, in that case, OnlyOffice or LibreOffice for example.

    Software recommendations

    There isn't that much Linux-exclusive software out there. Most of it is open source, so it usually gets also published on Windows. But here are some I like that are:

    • KDE Connect is freaking awesome
    • Everything from the "Gnome circle" is also elegant and simple. It's a collection of "do one job"-apps that are very polished.
    • Lutris: a game management software, that shows you your library and also offers quick-installations for Windows-games through Proton. A must have for every gamer, it replaces your dozens of launchers.
    • constantokra@lemmy.one
      8·
      1 year ago

      This is excellent advice, and I want to stress that linux on bare metal will let you see just how much better it is. It'll fly. You really don't get a sense of how much be there is in windows till you run linux on the same hardware.

      • Guenther_Amanita@feddit.de
        2·
        1 year ago

        Especially Wayland DEs ^((User interfaces, that run on the new rendering engine; the default "look" of Linux Mint can't utilize that yet)) will perform much different on a real install.

        On a VM, the screen tears a lot and it will perform sluggish, while on bare metal, it will be suuuper smooth and also give you (on Gnome ^((one of the two most popular desktop environments)) ) access to the best touchpad gestures out there, even better than MacOS.

          • Guenther_Amanita@feddit.de
            1·
            1 year ago

            Sadly, it is only good from Android to Linux (preferably KDE, but Gnome is almost/ just ad great).

            I was super hyped when they released the iOS and Windows versions, but both suck, really.

            iOS is super restricted (who had thought…) and Windows is super buggy and only works in one direction (Android to Win), with most of the great features missing and always loosing connection