Now i’ve been considering moving to linux. I don’t have much of a history using a computer and find it tougher to use than my phone. But I also really appreciate the foss movement. I’ve currently got an old laptop running windows 11 I think and it would prolly speed up with linux too. But I’m afraid I’d fuck smth up trying to download linux, understand it or while using it. Is it worth switching and how different is it to a windows experience.
I’m going to reframe the question as “Are computers good for someone tech illiterate?”
I think the answer is “yes, if you have someone that can help you”.
The problem with proprietary systems like Windows or OS X is that that “someone” is a large corporation. And, in fairness, they generally do a good job of looking after tech illiterate people. They ensure that their users don’t have to worry about how to do updates, or figure out what browser they should be using, or what have you.
But (and it’s a big but) they don’t actually care about you. Their interest making sure you have a good experience ends at a dollar sign. If they think what’s best for you is to show you ads and spy on you, that’s what they’ll do. And you’re in a tricky position with them because you kind of have to trust them.
So with Linux you don’t have a corporation looking after you. You do have a community (like this one) to some degree, but there’s a limit to how much we can help you. We’re not there on your computer with you (thankfully, for your privacy’s sake), so to a large degree, you are kind of on your own.
But Linux actually works very well if you have a trusted friend/partner/child/sibling/whoever who can help you out now and then. If you’ve got someone to help you out with it, Linux can actually work very very well for tech illiterate people. The general experience of browsing around, editing documents, editing photos, etc., works very much the same way as it does on Windows or OS X. You will probably be able to do all that without help.
But you might not know which software is best for editing photos. Or you might need help with a specific task (like getting a printer set up) and having someone to fall back on will give you much better experience.
Beautifully said
What are you talking about dude… Microsoft doesn’t help anyone. There’s no support hotline, their documentation sucks, their interfaces suck, etc. Your Windows help is your son, your local IT shop or corporate IT. Comparing Microsoft to a trusted friend, lol, what a crock of shit.
That’s true to an extent. But there is something to be said about having a more expansive and easy to navigate system for supporting windows and osx systems. If you have a computer issue odds are you can go into any staples or other chain office supply store and get tech support for a Windows computer.
I do believe learning tech literacy and putting some effort into being more familiar with the often expensive and critical piece of tech that one uses likely every day - but it doesn’t do Linux any favors to downplay the specific and limited advantages commercial operating systems have.
I think it depends on what you plan to use it for.
If it’s just browsing the web or basic usage (email, watching videos, etc.) it’s perfect for a tech illiterate person. You have distros that just work, like Mint, or Pop!_Os (compared to distros like Debian that can require a bit of tinkering, or Arch/Gentoo where you need to tinker a lot more). I’m not certain but I think these distros work well for gaming as well.
If you have specific needs for software like the Adobe suite, Excel or audio/video software, it’s still possible but definitely less accessible.As far as the difference between Linux and Windows, I’m not sure you’d notice much if you stay at the surface. The main difference is the fact that you actually own your system and you can literally do what you want with it (even irreversibly break it).
This is pretty much my take. For tech newbies that essentially only need a browser, linux mint is great. On the other extreme, if you want to tinker, get your hands dirty, then you probably already know what distro you want.
It’s toughest for the people in between who need some more advanced os functionality or need programs that aren’t natively supported, but otherwise don’t want to know more about their os than they have to. Not because Linux doesn’t have that advanced functionality (and more!) or because there aren’t alternatives and workarounds for those programs, but because of the learning curve.
For someone already tech illiterate, the learning curve is almost a moot point. For the tinkerer, it’s practically a feature. But for the people in between, it can a real obstacle.
If you’re not doing anything crazy, there’s no reason linux should be any harder to use than Windows.
Once you’re up and running, daily life will be pretty straightforward.
Plenty of great advice in the other posts that I won’t rehash. One thing I didn’t see mentioned is using a live boot to try out linux. You can basically run it off a USB stick before you install it to get a feel for what it’s like. Most “beginner friendly” distros will have tutorials on how to create the live disk. Example for Pop!_OS: https://support.system76.com/articles/live-disk/
There are several comments ITT that mention the “just works” distros, like Mint or Pop!_OS etc. But make no mistake, these distributions are every bit as powerful as any other distribution. They’re not “dumbed down” versions by any means, it just means that they’ve paid close attention to crafting a polished user experience.
Case in point: I’m a seasoned Linux user and still I prefer Pop!_OS. Some of my even more experienced Linux colleagues use Mint, Fedora, etc. because we’re paid to write code that solves customer problems, not tinker with our operating systems on our workstations. I don’t think I actually know anyone in real life that uses Arch (btw)—is it even a real distro or is it just a meme?—or even Debian (unless it’s for a server and even then we’re more likely to use Alpine and install+configure everything we want and nothing we don’t).
You don’t know me in real life. But I use Arch. It started out as a way to get a more thorough understanding of the bits and pieces that make up Linux. Now that it’s all setup and configured, it all just works, and works the way I made it work. I don’t need to tinker with it much now, unless I want to. It’s probably the only Distro I’ll use from now to the end of time, because I’m quite content with it.
It’s probably the only Distro I’ll use from now to the end of time, because I’m quite content with it.
Or you’ve invested so much time setting it up that you don’t dare abandon it (sunk cost).
I jest but there may be a grain of truth to it anyway. We humans tend to get comfortable with what we know and when we spend so much time installing, configuring and tinkering a system that we use daily, we end up knowing it pretty well.
I like to try a new distro on a personal computer every year or so, just to keep my agility of computing systems nimble. But still I usually end up back to Pop!OS and MacOS. Although that practice did pull me away from Fedora to Pop!
Maybe. To be fair, most of what’s important to me to do what I need to do. Like individual applications are available on most other distros, and my dot files, and hence configuration for those applications, is where most of my tinkering time was spent and they are stored in repository. I share this between between my work Mac (macos) my desktop (Arch) and my personal laptop (also Arch). I would be able get going on another Distro pretty quickly if I decided to.
But I really do love Arch. I can get going with Arch on fresh machine quickly too, I now know my way around it, where to look for info, and generally just what to do to achieve what I want to do.
I really think you would have a great time with either “Linux Mint” because of its rocksolid philosophy of not breaking stuff or shipping “beta software”.
Otherwise a safe option would be a Linux variant with professional support options - just in case you need it. ZorinOS, Tuxedo or Pop_OS! are the most common ones.
Personally i’d take Linux Mint, which in most cases works flawless out of the box. The premium options are nonetheless also great options.
+1 for Linux Mint. It just works unless you try to break it.
Can you remember a password?
I tried helping someone with their steam deck and they got stuck because they didn’t know what they set their password to.
That aside, start with running Linux on a liveboot USB. It is very easy. See how it is for yourself and decide from there
In fairness, I frequently forgot my steamdeck root password, because the need to use it was so few and far between. If you’re always in game mode, then there’s almost 0 reason that I’d need my password.
I agree, but this was instantly. Like sub-10 minutes. . .
Been there. Frustrating af
This is what I did, I’ve been using windows since 98.
I am now on Linux Mint full time, it had it’s teething issues (also not my first distro) but all it took was some DDGing and persistence. I actively cringe when I’m forced to boot into windows for something now.
As I’ve said in previous comments, it’s absolutely worth the effort, spend some time on different distributions, every distro is a little different. On this note, absorb as many suggestions from the Lemmings as possible, regarding Linux and FOSS they really know their shit.
Basically, tread your own path, ask for help if you need it and do it at your own pace, in your own direction. Everyone’s needs are different, the distro list is as long as it is for a reason.
You really do just need to fuck around to find out (what you like).
Yes. Linux is good enough for everyone, whether they like it or not. :)
Yes just install something that never breaks, has a graphical appstore with the correct sources, and a good GUI.
I would say try Fedora Silverblue from Ublue.it. it updates automatically (at least it should), and all your apps can be installed from your software store.
I haven’t seen anyone mentioning this yet, so I will: if you’re looking for the most accessible way to use Linux, nothing beats Endless OS. It’s a Linux distribution that is built specifically with ease of use and offline usage in mind (if you don’t know what a “distribution” is, feel free to ask). It’s pretty different from Windows (the user interface is nothing alike, you should download every program/app from the App Center instead of downloading from your browser), but I think you’d get the gist of it quickly.
Now, whether you would want to change to Linux or not greatly depends on what you use your computer for. If you use your computer mostly for browsing the Internet and making Word documents, then I think you should change. If you play videogames on your computer, but mostly via Steam, then Linux won’t be bad. But if your work depends on something like Adobe Photoshop and you really aren’t available to using any other program, then you would not want tochange to Linux, because Photoshop isn’t compatible with it.
TL;DR: Have a look at Endless OS; and please share what you use your computer for / what devices other than a normal keyboard and mouse you normally connect to your computer, so we can help you determine whether you should just switch to Linux or not.
From what I can gather distributions (distros?) are forks of the original os? Thats an assumption tho.
Don’t use anything special here. I do connect my wireless headphones at most other than mouse and keyboard.
Technically, Linux is just the kernel. What makes a distro different is the software they choose to install and package, and what version: some come with the latest version of kde plasma and busybox, others use versions of GNOME and the GNU core system utilities that are a few years old, etc.
Ooooh ok thanks
Nowadays there are linux distros that gives the same “double clicks your cares away” experience ala windows – ZorinOS, Linux mint and Garuda linux.
I wouldn’t recommend Garuda to someone that’s completely clueless about tech as KDE is less intuitive than gnome and cinnamon, and because you have to use the command line a tad more than on mint zorin. It is still a good choice for a new user though, just maybe more for someone who is reasonably competent at using a pc
Depends on just how illiterate imo.
Here’s a good usecase:
My mum is completely tech illiterate, I have to teach her how to every task individually, and she has to write them down and follow them step my step. Tasks like emailing a document are a challenge. Linux is great for her. She isn’t used to windows anyway, and Linux makes it harder for her to accidentally make damaging changes, collect viruses or experience unexpected ui updates. It has much less maintaince, so it’s a lot less work for me to manage the system.
Here’s a bad usecase:
You are a user who can do the basics of using a website, install new apps, use usb drives etc etc. You are used to windows ui like where to find apps, where the close button is etc. You dont have a tech friend set up your stuff but if something goes wrong you are boned. This isn’t a good use unless you are interesting in becoming more tech literate (its easier to learn, if you can google your problems).
Thanks for the advice
Linux is perfect for teaching someone to be tech literate, which should be your ultimate goal.
Just because someone can follow a pictorial cookbook more easily is no reason to not teach them to read. Being tech literate is a little more important than people generally realize, just for having a cursory understanding of how things really work.
I recommend Ubuntu.
It’s development has been focused on teaching and enabling tech literacy across the world since its inception, and is designed to be very user friendly.
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Thanks I appreciate the detailed response. Luckily I dont game. I’ll be honest I was hoping/ expecting it to suddenly be twice as fast and that was a major factor in considering linux. But if it decreases overheating I’m still happy with that.
I have been degoogling and going the foss roite on my phone to the point of considering graphene os for my phone too so won’t be going the google route thats for sure.
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Even if you wanted to game casually, getting Steam and games running is straightforward these days. You just need to enable Steam Play for all titles in settings.
This is an excellent reply
Thank you so much everyone. I’m very likely going to try the live usb method with linux mint probably. I really appreciate all the advice.
Nice choice. Try to stick to the standard repository, kinda like the Play store on android.
I believe Mint tries to have minimal dependence on the command line. But usually it’s easier to help others solve problems with the command line since that is easier to write out than how to click through menus. So don’t let it scare you too much.
The internet is a friendlier place now, at least in the linux help-o-sphere. People don’t let others post destructive “lessons” for people to learn anymore.
Smart choice! The option to just try it in a safe way with the live USB is a good way to try it.
Also try out some of the themes in the settings 😉 The amazing wallpapers of Linux Mint are so fancy, so I decided to use it on my work Windows PC, which I am forced to deal with ☺️
I am very curious about the type of person who would rather use a phone than a computer. I am already getting annoyed just typing these two sentences on my phone, because I know hoe much more convenient this would be on my computer.
Swipe typing. Also most people I know are the same
