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egg🐧irl (beehaw.org)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by Thevenin@beehaw.org to c/egg_irl
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So I've been thinking about Linux recently, and I'm told this is where the Linux experts hang out. I have a lot of questions that I can barely articulate, so I'm just hoping someone gets where I'm coming from.

I always knew there were more than two operating systems, but the closest I got to open-source software was dabbling with Firefox and OpenOffice in college. I'm an engineer, and trying to stay compatible with all the engineering programs means you're probably going to use Windows whether you like it or not, so I never seriously considered another OS until now. I'm proud of being good at Windows, but also bitter about it
 I can't shake the nagging feeling that I've been missing out.

So I started looking up guides on Linux, and I have so many questions.

I'm astonished by how many distros there are. It's not just Ubuntu, we have Mint and Zorin and MX and enough options to make my head spin. So how do you choose a distro? Do you just know, or do you have to try them all? Trying one is daunting enough. I'm afraid people might lose respect for me and the open-source software movement if I change my mind. Is there some place where you can try distros on for size without the trouble and risk of migrating multiple times?

How do I know if Linux is right for me? How do I know Windows is wrong? If I loathe my user experience with Windows, is that the fault of Windows or just me? If Linux starts feeling comfortable, how do I know it's because I've made the right choice and it's not just inertia setting in? Does that even matter?

I'm at least good with Windows, but I lack the intuition of the average Linux user. Could I really master Linux the way I have Windows, or would my awkward personality relegate me to being a permanent tourist?

Is my hardware too old to start tinkering with OSs?

I know your choice of OS should take priority over your programs, as long as those programs aren't vital, but I have a full Steam library and don't look forward to losing any old friends. Can I partition my drive? Is that worth the trouble, switching from OS to OS depending on circumstances? I hear some distros these days can run some windows programs, and that you don't have to leave your old programs behind the way you used to, but can I count on that trend continuing?

Will losing touch with the Windows environment make it more difficult for me to succeed in a Windows-dominated career?

Sorry for the ramble. I'm probably overthinking this. I overthink everything. But I also grew up in a time and place where changing OSs meant you risked losing everything.

EDIT: The post title has been updated from “Need help with Linux” to “egg🐧irl” to meet local standards. This post happened because I was writing a post for a tech forum, but had other things on my mind, things which I’ve yet to find the courage to verbalize directly. I appreciate the advice and encouragement, both about migrating to Linux, and
 yaknow
 “migrating to Linux.”

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[-] Evkob@lemmy.ca 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Your OS can grow with you. It should grow with you. All the same, there's no hurry to choose a distro and stick with it.

Couldn't have said it better myself! 😊 You clearly have a way with words, I very much enjoyed your post.

EDIT: I'd like to add, I know people who don't even have a main OS, they're just constantly distro-hopping, and that's valid too. Sure, maybe some people would say they're needlessly complicating their workflow with constant re-installs, but who cares if that's what they like?

this post was submitted on 08 Nov 2023
113 points (100.0% liked)

egg_irl — Memes about being trans people in denial and other eggy topics

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!egg_irl

!egg_irl is for widely relatable memes about questioning one's gender or being an egg (a trans person in denial) as well as other eggy topics.

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