Hello! I’m getting a new (windows) laptop that I’ll mainly be using for writing text documents, surfing the web, and basically doing studenty things. I thought I’d use the chance to give linux a try since I’m too scared to jump in head first and trying to move everything over on my main computer. I’m not tech savvy at all but after watching a lot of videos explaining the basics and reading the guides here to help beginners pick a distribution, I think I’ve narrowed it down to either Linux Mint Cinnamon or Ubuntu (leaning towards Kubuntu because it looks a lot like Windows).

The two big things for me are 1. I don’t want to use the command window for everything, or really much of anything, at least at the start. and 2. I currently use Proton VPN and I’d like to use it on this new laptop too. Unfortunately, based on what I saw on the Proton website, if I want to use it on linux it looks like the only way is to get it on Ubuntu, Debian, or Fedora using the console. I don’t really want to switch away from Proton VPN right now, so while I’m sure there are other vpns that are more linux-friendly, that will have to be something I consider in the future. So, does this mean I should use Ubuntu? And will Kubuntu work or would I have to use a different version of Ubuntu? And is there no way to get Proton without using the console?

A few less important considerations for me are if I’m able to change to a custom mouse pointer (I currently use a cute one that I’d like to also use on the new laptop) and if keyboard shortcuts like alt-tabbing work or are easily configurable. If none of the beginner friendly distros support those then it’s fine, but they would be nice.

Also, I’m kind of confused about how updating things works on linux. Will I be able to easily update to a new version of whatever distro I’m using? Do I even want to update to the newest version? And is there a way to be notified and set auto-updates for some applications? I’ve seen quite a few threads and questions about having to manually update things, but if I get an application from the software manager then will it be as easy as a clicking a button?

I know I’ll have to adjust and just learn-by-doing some things no matter which distro I pick, and I’m willing to try out some other distros in the future. I just want to ease my way into things. So based on all that, should I just go for Linux Mint like most new users? Or would you recommend a completely different distro?

Just for reference, uhhh how easy is it to fuck up the process of trying and then installing a linux distro? Like completely-make-the-computer-unusable fuck up? Because that’s my biggest fear

P.s. I’m sorry to make another “what distro do I use” thread, but I had some questions that I didn’t see answers for in the other threads. And honestly, I’ll feel a lot more comfortable with switching if I feel like I’ve actually talked it out with people who know what they’re doing.

  • Libb@jlai.luEnglish
    2·
    1 day ago

    The two big things for me are 1. I don’t want to use the command window for everything, or really much of anything, at least at the start. and 2. I currently use Proton VPN and I’d like to use it on this new laptop too. Unfortunately, based on what I saw on the Proton website, if I want to use it on linux it looks like the only way is to get it on Ubuntu, Debian, or Fedora using the console.

    • Complexity: have been using Linux Mint for a few years and I’m not an expert at all (50+ years old lifelong ex-Mac user, to give you an idea I got my first computer in the early 80s and it was an Apple). Everything worked out of the box (including my Airpods, and back then at least it was the only version of Linux that was able to connect to them). I don’t think I never was forced or expected to use the command line… but I slowly started to use it out of curiosity and I learned to appreciate it’s efficiency and now I love using it but that’s by choice, not out of necessity ;)
    • Proton VPN: you need to understand that most distributions (version of Linux) are ‘clones with a few variations’ based upon a very few limited ‘originals’ distributions. Ubuntu is one clone that has become very popular but in reality it’s based on Debian, and therefore it uses Debian installer package (DEB). MInt being based on… Ubuntu also uses Debian installer. And so is Kubuntu. So, if there is a DEB installer, there is a real chance it will work on most Debian-based distributions.

    Proton: it’s command line. I use it too (I’m a paid subscriber to their service, just not their VPN, which is good), but the VPN I use is Mullvad… which is at least as good and has a graphical installer ;)

    Just for reference, uhhh how easy is it to fuck up the process of trying and then installing a linux distro? Like completely-make-the-computer-unusable fuck up? Because that’s my biggest fear

    1. Testing from the Live CD/USB, there is zero risk of damaging anything. That’s one fo teh first thing I fell in love with testing Linux myself ;)
    2. Installing Linux on the computer, well, shit can happen. They are not usual but they can happen. Hence the importance to test it live before to see that most things are working all right. Using a distribution like Mint things should dead simple just following the graphical installer. The last time I installed Mint, it took me less than 10 minutes total (from the first click to me booting on the new installed system) and most of that was the installer downloading packages and installing them while I was drinking my coffee) But that’s the exception if you use something like Mint (I preach for my own chapel here because I know how reliable it is) with its integrated graphical installer. You simply click a few buttons and answer limited few basic questions like what will be your user name, what is your time zone and do you want to encrypt the disk (you probably want that at least on a laptop so if it’s stolen your data will be safe from thieves). It’s real quick process. That also was impressive coming from macOS (installing any new Mac takes way too much time, a lot more than it used to back in the old days.
    3. No matter what version you decide to use ALWAYS BACKUP your personal files before installing a new operating system. It’s a bit like opening someone’s chest and removing their heart before putting an new one. It’s… well, better be safe than sorry. Do you value your personal files at all? Then you should have backups, and not just during install. At any time.

    Also, I’m kind of confused about how updating things works on linux

    With Mint, you regularly will get a little pop signaling there are updates. If you don’t like Notifications (I don’t), you can simply ask it to deal with updates for you and to not bother you (I almost never have to update anything myself). Then, from time to time there is a ‘major’ upgrade, from one version of Mint to the other. Here again, Mint will kindly let you know when everything is ready for your computer (which will not be the exact same day the new version is announced to the world, there is no hurry), it will tell you if anything needs your attention (and why) and do the upgrade for you (reboot required).

    For all my life I thought in terms of simplicity Apple was the way to go. That was until I tried GNU/Linux Mint ;)

    P.s. I’m sorry to make another “what distro do I use” thread, but I had some questions that I didn’t see answers for in the other threads. And honestly, I’ll feel a lot more comfortable with switching if I feel like I’ve actually talked it out with people who know what they’re doing.

    Don’t apologize. The best thing to do do would be to:

    1. test the the live CD and
    2. keep using a ‘noob’ friendly distribution like Mint (there are obviously others, I’m just totally bluffed by how well Mint worked out of the box, and how reliable it has been for the now 4 or 5 years I’ve been using it. And, yep, I tried quite a few other distributions before settling on Mint ;)). Being ‘noob friendly’ doesn’t mean they’re a lesser kind of Linux, say, not as complete as Arch (which is another kind of amazing distribution, just less easy to begin with). It just means that the technical part, at least most of them, have been taken charge of one way or the other. The moment you need the more advanced/powerful tools, they’re already there, waiting for you to start using them: it’s 100% full GNU/Linux just less intimidating ;)
    • Rikudou_Sage@lemmings.worldEnglish
      1·
      1 day ago

      Note that Ubuntu is no longer just a Debian clone, not in the sense of, say, Linux Mint and Ubuntu. Many Debian apps are not installable on Ubuntu and vice versa, I’d personally consider Ubuntu a base (original as you call it) distribution nowadays.