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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Beginner's Guides for Switching to Linux? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Hello!

I'm interested in moving my personal computer to running Linux but I'm not sure where to even begin. As background, I am a casual user and have a desktop with hardware from around 2014 running Windows. I am hoping to setup a NAS drive as a media server in the next year or so, offloading all of the files currently on the Windows desktop and have been interested in open source software such as Jellyfin. I also mostly game on an Xbox and Nintendo Switch, but have used the desktop in the past for gaming such as with an Oculus Rift Headset and some Steam games so not huge on getting games working on the computer. But, I do sometimes torrent using the computer so don't want to lose that capability (especially with upkeep for the media server).

With all of that said, I didn't know how to get started with choosing what Linux OS to use, setting it up, backing up my files to make sure I can use them with the new OS, etc. Making the switch seems to have great options for customization and "choosing a distro that works for you", but I don't know what would work for me or what will be user friendly for a beginner.

Any tips or pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

You should dual boot windows and linux if you want to keep using the Oculus Rift because there is no chance to getting it working on linux.

In my opinion its better to first test out some distros in virtual box and use them for the tasks that you would usually use your computer for. I'd recommend trying out Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora, Debian, and Pop OS. These are solid distros that work.

Once you find a distro that you like, you should start dual booting it. I got a second drive for that, before eventually copying all the files I needed over to the second drive and wiping the first drive to be my main after a year. (you can still access your windows files this way without losing any storage to linux) (steam games do not work when on windows partitions so you'll still have to redownload games)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oh, why would the Rift not work? Just no compatibility? I've used it with some Steam games which I thought I understood to work fine in Linux.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah its not compatible, but also even with compatible headsets VR barely works. I have never gotten VR to work on linux myself.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Oh that's a shame.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

@WR5
There's stuff like ALVR to do VR in Linux, but last I checked (admittedly around a year ago) it wasn't that great, it "worked" but I wouldn't consider it playable

I have heard they've made progress sense then though
@Euphoma

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I don't play it a ton, but didn't want to completely lose the possibility of playing especially when friends or young family members come to visit.