That's a big change! Are you excited about it?
That's a big change! Are you excited about it?
I’m not new to Linux, but I’m far less comfortable with it compared to Windows and CMD/PowerShell. Where should I begin? I understand the basics—what distros exist and how to run simple CLI commands—but what’s your experience like? Which distribution suits you best? Where can I find helpful resources for learning? For someone who wants a modern feel, could you suggest some updated desktop environments?
I've tried every distribution, though not all clearly. Most worked fine. For performance and reliability, Ubuntu is the best choice. You can set up any desktop environment on it—like turning Ubuntu into Xubuntu or Lubuntu. For other distros, Ubuntu might lag a bit when updating apps, but you can still install software manually. It has "snap" sandboxing for web browsers, which isn’t perfect yet, but it’ll improve soon. I can share more about my experiences if you’re interested. Just search for Bash programming online. It’s really simple. If you’re serious about learning Linux, try Arch Linux for a few months. I used Arch at university because its kernel version matched the driver I needed for my Wi-Fi, and I gained a lot of knowledge. Arch had issues with compatibility, especially with my NVIDIA driver, and its frequent releases made things tricky.
For a visual style, consider Linux Mint. When it comes to command-line tools, ifconfig serves as the equivalent of ipconfig, and you can execute PowerShell on Linux via the provided link.
I recommend Manjaro Linux. It runs smoothly and uses fewer resources compared to Ubuntu or Mint. It comes with many applications pre-installed, so you can enjoy yogurt and access the AUR. Built on Arch Linux, it offers a rolling release model. On Distrowatch it ranks first with 4031 daily visits, while Mint follows closely with 2412. Manjaro stands out significantly in performance.
In your initial comments, most developers are significantly ahead of Windows and MacOS in both design and appearance. You won’t face any issues beyond that—except for Gnome 3, which runs single-threaded and may crash if a plugin malfunctions. It generally boots up smoothly on most systems and allows you to install whatever you need. As for your starting point, what are you focusing on? Personally, I favor Arch and Void, but I enjoy getting under the hood of my machine. I value tools like Init, though for beginners the details of runit, systemd, or SysV might seem overwhelming. Are you looking to dive into specific tasks? What are your daily goals? Do you anticipate needing the terminal? For me, I rely heavily on it. Anything that can be streamlined from the graphical interface should be handled via the terminal. I dislike update managers—they annoy with notifications, pop-ups, or even system alerts. Using `sudo pacman -Syyu` or `xbps-install -Syu` is much smoother than typical tools. Once you decide what you want to achieve, consider which OS fits your needs best. I usually recommend starting with Ubuntu because most resources point there, the AppStore is beginner-friendly, and you can accomplish nearly anything. If you prefer a more guided and cutting-edge experience, Antergos is a strong contender, offering excellent documentation and being Arch-based. Fedora is great for developers who want deeper technical work, though setup can be tricky. OpenSuse works well for general use but leans more toward a workstation setup. Lastly, what graphics card do you have? AMD is commonly preferred in Linux, and its drivers are usually built into the kernel. NVidia can pose challenges for Linux users, as bug fixes and driver support are often lacking. At least with my RX580, I’ve had no driver issues and it runs all games without hiccups—even in Wine or emulators. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Install Arch Linux with XFCE or a tiling desktop environment.