Linux

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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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I had a dream about windows and have decided to setup Linux on my laptop. What distro should I use? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I used Ubuntu once a few years ago but had compatability issues so I went back to windows. Not a great programmer but I'd like to learn. I'm not looking to do much gaming beyond DOOM2 and factorio. Mostly looking for privacy and a way to get back into programming (I have this pipe dream of learning Assembly). I'm not to particular on UI, I can use whatever.

Edit: https://distrochooser.de for anyone who stumbles upon this post with the same question

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Mint is currently my recommendation for Windows refugees and has been for a while.

Cinnamon desktop environment works like Windows' UX
Ubuntu-based, so you'll find help online for basically anything
Not just Ubuntu; follows more popular, community decisions rather than Canonical's (e.g. things like Flatpak instead of Snap) which will help you in the long run since you'll be using what everyone else is using
Ubuntu-based, so Debian-based, so pretty stable with lots of available software (even outside of Flatpak)
Significant amount of work put into UX with less you have to do

If you're not worried about high-performance gaming, you'll be fine with whatever. For developers, any Linux distro is gonna be leagues better than what you're used to on Windows. For Assembly, NASM + VS Code will be great.

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

I used to think this was sound advice but I'm on KDE Plasma and it's almost exactly like windows but with the Alt-F2 search menu, stay on top is installed by default. I don't know all the desktop environment options but it sounds like there's more reasonable options.