DEV Community

Cover image for How To Make The Switch To Linux

How To Make The Switch To Linux

J. R. Swab on October 21, 2019

So you know that Linux is a better system for privacy and security, has more customization features, and is lightweight compared to its other opera...
Collapse
 
ghost profile image
Ghost

Try out a live distro is also a good choice, to me was Knoppix many years ago. Then you can do your first distro hopping without messing anything; when you have tried and discarted many WM and distros and you are more comfortable with Linux, then you make a dual boot, which is on itself daunting when you any have installed Windows and you may not even know what a partition is.

You will also have to oportunity to check if all your HW is well supported, and everything works well. We should also have in mind that for someone that has only used Windows or Mac, many of the WM may seem too weird, why not try on some before your first install.

Also, now that SSD drives are cheap, consider buy a new disk just for Linux and dualboot that way, then you don't even have to reinstall Windows and is safer than partition your only disk.

Collapse
 
nicolaerario profile image
Nicola Erario • Edited

“ Why Use Linux?
Linux has many versions or flavors that you may install...”

This is imho the worst of Linux: too many distros to try and change. I lost my youth installing 💻.
However.. I have two work machines: the main one is on Windows 10 ( I love win10, technically and graphically ) and the second one with Fedora 30 ( I advise you to try it for development ). I know both well and I'm comfortable with both... no favorite child 👶🏻.
So: better is what can make you feel better!

Collapse
 
jrswab profile image
J. R. Swab

better is what can make you feel better.

Yes, very true. This post was to be aimed any someone wanting to get started using Linux.

Collapse
 
thorstenhirsch profile image
Thorsten Hirsch

Step 4 - Learn How to Use the Package Manager
Step 5 - No Fear of the Dark (i.e. Learn to Love the Terminal)

Collapse
 
jrswab profile image
J. R. Swab

hahahah yes! The terminal is a friend not foe.

Collapse
 
brandonwallace profile image
brandon_wallace

The command line is extremely powerful in the Linux and BSD operating systems.

Collapse
 
nerajno profile image
Nerando Johnson

I did this a few years ago and I found it absolutely wonderful, it increased my productivity and thinking as a developer.

Collapse
 
jrswab profile image
J. R. Swab

I totally agree! When full Linux almost 10 years ago and I'll never go back.

Collapse
 
zawawimanja profile image
zawawimanja

Last time I quit use Linux because of the driver installation fail and I cannot resist back to use Windows.😭😭😭

Collapse
 
jrswab profile image
J. R. Swab

Ouch! That's one issue I have not ran into often.

Collapse
 
mroeling profile image
Mark Roeling

Linux @ work, but windows @ home (games...) But indeed, dual boot would solve home problem as well. Wine could work, but I prefer native windows.

Collapse
 
drewknab profile image
Drew Knab

Nice, I also have an X220 running Manjaro and love it. Kinda wish there was something similar on the market to replace it.

That old i5 is a little long in the tooth.

Collapse
 
jrswab profile image
J. R. Swab

That old i5 is a little long in the tooth.

For sure; I thought about seeing what the newest chip I could buy and still fit in that socket would be but I've yet to do the research.