I want to get Linux

[GIR385]

I'm looking to dual boot linux on my computer, and I'm simply wondering which distro to go with. I'm a newbie to Linux, and I'm really just looking for something that will work like windows, only instead it will be Linux. Right now I'm looking into Linux Mint and Unbunto. What do you think?

[Syntaxvgm]

For a new user, both are good options. Mint with cinnamon maybe? 

[Stuff_]

If you want something that is "works like Windows" then I assume you mean the desktop environment should look similar.

 

I would suggest Kubuntu. The KDE Plasma desktop is very user friendly. It has its bugs, but it's definitely usable all around, and looks very nice.

 

Ubuntu because ubuntu is widely supported, and easy to understand.

[GIR385]

For a new user, both are good options. Mint with cinnamon maybe? 

Thanks for the help! Do I have to install Linux on the same drive I have windows on? Or can it be on another drive?

[GIR385]

If you want something that is "similar to Windows" then I assume you mean the desktop environment should look similar.

 

I would suggest Kubuntu. The KDE Plasma desktop is very user friendly. It has its bugs, but it's definitely usable all around, and looks very nice.

 

Ubuntu because ubuntu is widely supported, and easy to understand.

Thanks for the help!

[Enderman]

something that will work like windows, only instead it will be Linux. 

You're joking, right?

This is a completely different OS

Nothing works like windows, unless youre talking about right clicking and "create new folder"

[Tagiau]

You're joking, right?

This is a completely different OS

Nothing works like windows, unless youre talking about right clicking and "create new folder"

I didn't actually know that I could do that. It has been awhile since I have spent time on my desktop.

[vanished]

Thanks for the help! Do I have to install Linux on the same drive I have windows on? Or can it be on another drive?

It can be where ever you want, but generally it makes sense to have it on the same drive since most people have a "system" drive they bought for that purpose (an SSD for example).

You can shrink existing windows partitions to make room, or use the built-in tool (if it still exists) to install Linux as a file within Windows so no partitioning is necessary.

[GIR385]

You're joking, right?

This is a completely different OS

Nothing works like windows, unless youre talking about right clicking and "create new folder"

I know it will be different. I just don't want it to be such an incredible departcher from what I know (Windows) that I won't be able to understand it that well. I've already done some research into these two, so I'm mostly confident that I know how to work them. I stated that in case anyone suggested another distro that was incredibly different from what I already know. Basically, I'm looking for something simple that offers the pluses of Linux.

[GIR385]

It can be where ever you want, but generally it makes sense to have it on the same drive since most people have a "system" drive they bought for that purpose (an SSD for example).

You can shrink existing windows partitions to make room, or use the built-in tool (if it still exists) to install Linux as a file within Windows so no partitioning is necessary.

Ok, thanks!

[vanished]

I know it will be different. I just don't want it to be such an incredible departcher from what I know (Windows) that I won't be able to understand it that well. I've already done some research into these two, so I'm mostly confident that I know how to work them. I stated that in case anyone suggested another distro that was incredibly different from what I already know. Basically, I'm looking for something simple that offers the pluses of Linux.

 

One thing that catches a lot of windows-converts off guard is how... layered... it is.  For example, Windows is just pretty much Windows, but with Linux, there is the OS, and then the window system on which you may run one of any number of possible desktop environments.  These will dictate entirely what it looks and functions like.  In addition to that, of course all types of Linux can run the same binaries, but if you are used to just installing things and not compiling from source, you'll need to mind which distribution tree you're using (redhat, debian, etc.) since they have their own unique package management systems

[GIR385]

One thing that catches a lot of windows-converts off guard is how... layered... it is.  For example, Windows is just pretty much Windows, but with Linux, there is the OS, and then the window system on which you may run one of any number of possible desktop environments.  These will dictate entirely what it looks and functions like.  In addition to that, of course all types of Linux can run the same binaries, but if you are used to just installing things and not compiling from source, you'll need to mind which distribution tree you're using (redhat, debian, etc.) since they have their own unique package management systems

See, I don't understand much of that. I'll look into it before I install, and if you could give me some of your time to explain it that would be great, but right now I'm trying to figure out which distro to get so I can look into anything I need to know about that in particular one. Or does the distro I use not matter? I just don't know. I am nub. I'm planning to get Linux Mint and dual boot it with Windows. Anything extra important I should know? (I've heard a lot about these package managers, and they sound important.)

[Gavriil]

Seeing your new to Linux and all I'd suggest going with a distribution that has slot of users like ubuntu. Because If you get stuck at a certain point it might be easier to find the info you need.

Also If you go with Ubuntu I'd suggest trying the wubi installer. I'ts an abbrevration of Windows Unix based installer. Which lets you install Linux from you own Windows enviroment. This would make your first steps alot easier.

[vanished]

See, I don't understand much of that. I'll look into it before I install, and if you could give me some of your time to explain it that would be great, but right now I'm trying to figure out which distro to get so I can look into anything I need to know about that in particular one. Or does the distro I use not matter? I just don't know. I am nub. I'm planning to get Linux Mint and dual boot it with Windows. Anything extra important I should know? (I've heard a lot about these package managers, and they sound important.)

Mint is based on the Debian tree, so you'd be able to use packages for Ubuntu on it (.deb)

 

Other than that, it's all up to you!  The idea is to give people more options, even if it does make it a bit more confusing at first.  Basically just know that everything you are seeing is not actually Linux, but simply the desktop environment, so if you don't like it, there are at least 4 or 5 other goods ones out there.

[BuckGup]

Ubuntu has a windows feel to it and great support. But they are very similar

[GIR385]

Mint is based on the Debian tree, so you'd be able to use packages for Ubuntu on it (.deb)

 

Other than that, it's all up to you!  The idea is to give people more options, even if it does make it a bit more confusing at first.  Basically just know that everything you are seeing is not actually Linux, but simply the desktop environment, so if you don't like it, there are at least 4 or 5 other goods ones out there.

Alright. Thanks for your help.

[GIR385]

Seeing your new to Linux and all I'd suggest going with a distribution that has slot of users like ubuntu. Because If you get stuck at a certain point it might be easier to find the info you need.

Also If you go with Ubuntu I'd suggest trying the wubi installer. I'ts an abbrevration of Windows Unix based installer. Which lets you install Linux from you own Windows enviroment. This would make your first steps alot easier.

Thanks for you input.

[GIR385]

Ubuntu has a windows feel to it and great support. But they are very similar

Thanks for the help.

[cpyarger]

I would recommend Tanglu 

 

Tanglu is a modern GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian, designed for the desktops of today, developed in the open on a modern development platform.

tanglu.org

[Azgoth 2]

I'm a Mint user, myself, but either Mint or Ubuntu are great choices.

 

I personally dislike Ubuntu's Unity desktop environment (it's perfectly functional--it's just not for me), but you can get a few different versions of Ubuntu with different ones.  Kubuntu is probably the best alternative, since it uses the ever-popular KDE desktop environment, and Xubuntu is a pretty good choice too, since it uses the also pretty Windows-like XFCE desktop environment.

 

Linux Mint's Cinnamon interface is very Windows-like.  It's similar enough that you'll know where things are and how they work pretty quickly.  Mint is also a bit lighter on the system resources than Ubuntu, despite being based off the Ubuntu code, and has better support for multimedia codecs right when you install it.

 

As for your comment about package managers: that has to do with the most common way a Linux user installs software.  Each distribution that I know of has a central repository of software--drivers, programs, window managers, etc--that you can directly download from through the OS itself.  Your package manager, among other things, fetches and installs software from these repositories (and uninstalls them, and sets them up, and does some other stuff, but mostly you'll be using it to install/uninstall).  One of the first and most critical things to learn in a Linux distro is how to use the package manager.  In anything Debian-based, you'll be using apt-get (which is technically a front-end for the program dpkg, and is much easier to use than dpkg).  It's pretty quick to learn the handful of commands you really need to start using apt-get--apt-get update, apt-get upgrade, apt-get install, and apt-get remove are the bread and butter of most Debian-based distro users.

[vanished]

As for your comment about package managers: that has to do with the most common way a Linux user installs software.  Each distribution that I know of has a central repository of software--drivers, programs, window managers, etc--that you can directly download from through the OS itself.  Your package manager, among other things, fetches and installs software from these repositories (and uninstalls them, and sets them up, and does some other stuff, but mostly you'll be using it to install/uninstall).  One of the first and most critical things to learn in a Linux distro is how to use the package manager.  In anything Debian-based, you'll be using apt-get (which is technically a front-end for the program dpkg, and is much easier to use than dpkg).  It's pretty quick to learn the handful of commands you really need to start using apt-get--apt-get update, apt-get upgrade, apt-get install, and apt-get remove are the bread and butter of most Debian-based distro users.

 

And in most situations you won't even need a command line.  In this regard, it's actually easier than Windows because while you may have been used to hunting around online for installers for this and that, you generally won't need to do that with Ubuntu since there is one tool that connects to the entire repository; simply check off things from a list and hit "install".  They will also all be automatically updated along with the system, unlike Windows where Windows receives updates through Windows Update, but most other programs have to manage themselves.

 

If you only ever use this system, you won't really need to even know which system you are using, but if you do find an installer online (which you still can) you will want to know which type is right for you (.deb, .rpm, etc.)