egg🐧irl

So I’ve been thinking about Linux recently, and I’m told this is where the Linux experts hang out. I have a lot of questions that I can barely articulate, so I’m just hoping someone gets where I’m coming from.

I always knew there were more than two operating systems, but the closest I got to open-source software was dabbling with Firefox and OpenOffice in college. I’m an engineer, and trying to stay compatible with all the engineering programs means you’re probably going to use Windows whether you like it or not, so I never seriously considered another OS until now. I’m proud of being good at Windows, but also bitter about it… I can’t shake the nagging feeling that I’ve been missing out.

So I started looking up guides on Linux, and I have so many questions.

I’m astonished by how many distros there are. It’s not just Ubuntu, we have Mint and Zorin and MX and enough options to make my head spin. So how do you choose a distro? Do you just know, or do you have to try them all? Trying one is daunting enough. I’m afraid people might lose respect for me and the open-source software movement if I change my mind. Is there some place where you can try distros on for size without the trouble and risk of migrating multiple times?

How do I know if Linux is right for me? How do I know Windows is wrong? If I loathe my user experience with Windows, is that the fault of Windows or just me? If Linux starts feeling comfortable, how do I know it’s because I’ve made the right choice and it’s not just inertia setting in? Does that even matter?

I’m at least good with Windows, but I lack the intuition of the average Linux user. Could I really master Linux the way I have Windows, or would my awkward personality relegate me to being a permanent tourist?

Is my hardware too old to start tinkering with OSs?

I know your choice of OS should take priority over your programs, as long as those programs aren’t vital, but I have a full Steam library and don’t look forward to losing any old friends. Can I partition my drive? Is that worth the trouble, switching from OS to OS depending on circumstances? I hear some distros these days can run some windows programs, and that you don’t have to leave your old programs behind the way you used to, but can I count on that trend continuing?

Will losing touch with the Windows environment make it more difficult for me to succeed in a Windows-dominated career?

Sorry for the ramble. I’m probably overthinking this. I overthink everything. But I also grew up in a time and place where changing OSs meant you risked losing everything.

EDIT: The post title has been updated from “Need help with Linux” to “egg🐧irl” to meet local standards. This post happened because I was writing a post for a tech forum, but had other things on my mind, things which I’ve yet to find the courage to verbalize directly. I appreciate the advice and encouragement, both about migrating to Linux, and… yaknow… “migrating to Linux.”

DogMuffins,

I’ve been using Linux for many years but I’m very much just a “user”, not a Linux expert.

My advice would be to start with the most common beginner-friendly un-fancy distro. For me this is plain ubuntu. The reason is, thousands of people will have already encountered any questions or problems you run into so good answers and solutions will be readily available.

Install on a live USB. This means you don’t have to commit by installing on your hard drive.

rubythulhu,
@rubythulhu@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

You’ve posted this in the wrong community; this community is for memes about both cracked and uncracked eggs. Might want to post this in a different community.

miss_brainfart,
@miss_brainfart@lemmy.ml avatar

Saying a community of eggs is full of Linux experts is rather funny though, isn’t it

Got a good chuckle out of me

rubythulhu,
@rubythulhu@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

I mean yeah, many of us ARE unix nerds, nobody was questioning THAT :)

Thevenin,

I was writing a post for a tech forum, but I had other things on my mind, stuff I’ve been too nervous to verbalize directly. One thing led to another, and… well, I think you’ll catch my drift if you read the post again.

I hope you don’t mind me being so very circumspect. I don’t know why it’s so hard for me to talk about this.

Turun,

Fml, I would not have caught that without your explanation, lmao

What an expertly crafted post!

rubythulhu,
@rubythulhu@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

Ok, I can accept this as a text-only egg meme. But you’re still breaking rule #1 with the title, and don’t wanna have to delete your post if someone reports this. egg🐧irl would be a valid title!

Emma,
@Emma@kglitch.social avatar

It might help to make an alt account just for talking about these feelings and experiences. It can help you "let go" so-to-speak, and explore who you want to be (or who you really are) in a safe space. Besides this community, there are other good ones on this instance for more serious conversations, if and when you feel ready for that.

Take care, and love yourself 💖

Thevenin,

Thanks for the kind words and the understanding. I’d like to think that once I have the courage to ask these questions directly, I’ll no longer need to ask them. But it’s really encouraging to know there are good support communities out there.

Evkob,
@Evkob@lemmy.ca avatar

It’s normal to feel these things when thinking about a new OS, it can be quite a big change. You can always dual-boot, at least at first. Anyone telling you that you need to fully wipe your drive and immediately start from scratch is being silly.

Part of the fun of exploring new OSes and Linux distros is experimenting with new things! You don’t have to commit to a distros immediately, no one will judge you for distro-hopping! Even if you do eventually choose to go back to Windows, that’s okay! And just because you’re on Windows doesn’t mean you can’t use open-source software! Just because your OS is proprietary doesn’t make using FOSS any less valid.

No one is born with intrinsic knowledge of Linux, and no one should loathe their user experience of their OS. Are you made to be a Linux user, or do you just need to tinker with your Windows install? Only you can tell, but you sound like you’d regret not at least trying out a LiveUSB of some beginner-friendly distros.

Your hardware isn’t too old, in fact a new OS can often help old hardware run a lot better. Proton and WINE have made running games and Windows software on Linux easier than ever before.

Feel free to post here if you have any more questions about your potential transition 💕

Thevenin,

Thank you so much for the uplifting words.

I’ve had a lot on my mind that I just can’t find the courage to verbalize directly, but for whatever reason I feel like I can ask it this way without making it feel so terrifyingly real. So I’m deeply grateful for your understanding.

I think maybe I need to get into the spirit of experimentation and exploration. Your OS can grow with you. It should grow with you. All the same, there’s no hurry to choose a distro and stick with it.

Evkob, (edited )
@Evkob@lemmy.ca avatar

Your OS can grow with you. It should grow with you. All the same, there’s no hurry to choose a distro and stick with it.

Couldn’t have said it better myself! 😊 You clearly have a way with words, I very much enjoyed your post.

EDIT: I’d like to add, I know people who don’t even have a main OS, they’re just constantly distro-hopping, and that’s valid too. Sure, maybe some people would say they’re needlessly complicating their workflow with constant re-installs, but who cares if that’s what they like?

onevia,
@onevia@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

This was so well written, I am not equipped to even respond to all of your questions as I’m new to Linux myself.

Just experiment and try different distros out as you go. You also have the option to dual boot 😉

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