First Week of Linux

[ThomJax1916]

So started using Linux the past week and i chose to use Linux mint. Its the most like windows i believe. I do like windows just not the bloat. I also don't need to hack my computer to get things done, lol. I'm not that proficient at computers. Although my wife Really isn't with computers but she decided to use Linux mint with me. We both love it. The ability to customize everything to my liking is great. And using the terminal is not as intimidating as it once was. This is great. I had tried Pop OS before and did like it but i was the only one with a PC at the time and confused some of my family. Id like to try again. I might try Bazzite.

[Dutch_Master]

Stick with Mint for the time being, unless you really need to have certain functions for gaming.

 

Nice to see the Missus joining in 

[BoomerDutch]

Mint is great for general use. 

 

I do recommend bazzite for gaming and you can choose with gamemode or desktop only.

 

I'd recommend gamemode and if you need desktop then you can simply go to power button and you'll get list to shutdown pc or go to desktop or steam options. So you choose desktop and everything is ready for you including steam already logged in and in system bar if you need steam in desktop anyways.

 

I'm not sure if it's also true in bazzite that there should be a application that does updating the system for you so you launch it and it comes terminal and it will do it's job unless it needs user input like Y for yes and N for no or requires password then you're done.

[TetraSky]

Mint is great as a first introduction to Linux (just like Ubuntu). It does feel similar to windows in many ways.

 

If you want gaming right out of the box that also feels like Windows, Bazzite would be it (not gamemode, I didn't see the point of that on a PC). After installing it, you can literally just open Steam and start playing after installing it (If your games are on a separate drive, make sure the file system is not NTFS (windows). That does not play well with Linux gaming due to lack of correct permissions and the like. Need to reformat it to ext4 or some other linux file system). Even comes bundled with an Android emulator (Waydroid) if that's your jam. Just need to set it up first.

Bazzite has a bit less customization than other distros. Mostly because you cannot edit the file system however you want on Bazzite. Meaning it can be limiting your freedom in doing stuff. It also means it's harder to break when you don't know what you're doing.
The start menu on Bazzite feels somewhat like Windows 10's start menu with the way it looks. With your favorites on one side and the application list on the other.

Spoiler

Linux takes a while to get used to, especially if you want to do more with it than just use a web browser, edit text documents and play steam games. I switched a month and a half ago and I still don't feel like I am used to it just yet. Every day I learn something new.

I encourage you to play around with it, don't worry too much about messing it up. It takes like 5 minutes to reinstall the OS anyway. I use Gemini, ChatGPT and Claude a lot whenever I have issues or need help on Linux. Don't be afraid to ask them questions like what does something do, or wtf is a chmod or sudo or nano or distrobox or whatever else if it asks you to use the terminal for stuff. They can hallucinate and send you down the path of OS destruction though.

 

I do recommend keeping your personal data on another drive so you don't lose everything each time you switch distro or reformat in the beginning of your Linux adventure. Only copy it to the main OS drive when you're set and confident you no longer need to change anything. Do keep a usb drive with the OS installation files on it close, just in case.

[Lurking]

4 hours ago, ThomJax1916 said:

i chose to use Linux mint. Its the most like windows i believe.

The Desktop environment (DE) is called Cinnamon. Other distro offer that as well. it looks like XP/W7. There also is KDE Plasma, which looks like W10/W11. Just so you know for future reference what you liked or try next  

 

4 hours ago, ThomJax1916 said:

using the terminal is not as intimidating as it once was

What did you need to use terminal for? A good distro should be all GUI for normal use cases. 

4 hours ago, ThomJax1916 said:

I might try Bazzite.

Are you gaming? If so, Bazzite is a good choice. But honestly, if Mint works for you, use that. Unless yo have the itch to explore or come across a compatibility problem. But before distro-hopping, try to resolve the issue first. 

 

The Universal Blue distros (Bazzite, Bluefin (Gnome), and Aurora (KDE)) are very modern and extremely user-friendly. For modern hardware they tend to be better than Mint. but if Mint works on your hardware, all is good. 

[xAcid9]

Random Tips: 
- You can hold Alt+Left click to move your windows
- You can hold Alt+Right click when you near the right/bottom edge of the window to resize it

 

3 hours ago, ThomJax1916 said:

And using the terminal is not as intimidating as it once was.

Terminal is awesome. You can do so many things with it.

Btw have you remove the french language pack yet? 

[Donut417]

4 hours ago, ThomJax1916 said:

Linux mint

I also use Mint on my gaming PC. Works well enough. I dont do a ton of gaming, and most of the games I play are older or will run on a potato.  

 

The biggest surprise I had is how well Bluetooth headphones work with it. Never had luck with Windows on the same hardware.