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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 WR5@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml

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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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[–] Vendetta9076@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

How good is linux gaming nowadays on the desktop? I have a steamdeck but I mainly use it for emulation and rarely play pc games. Gaming is the last percieved hurdle for me to flip.

[–] Kangie@lemmy.srcfiles.zip 2 points 1 year ago

I use NVIDIA on Wayland with the kernel-open module and... It's pretty much bloody bulletproof. I don't play anything with anti-cheat but outside of that I've less of my Steam library fail on Linux than on Win10.

[–] xtremeownage@lemmyonline.com 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Well, my wife's gaming PC ran linux for the last few years. And, as a non-technical person, she never noticed, nor had issues playing games.

[–] Vendetta9076@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What OS is she using.

[–] xtremeownage@lemmyonline.com 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Manjaro. Its a "user-friendly" version of arch.

Have also used Kbuntu.

Both worked well.

[–] WR5@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Do you know of good emulation setups in Linux? I've run a bunch of emulators (NES, SNES, N64, GBA, and some GameCube and Playstation although not as prevalent), and am interested in getting something to emulate the Switch after I upgrade the hardware.

[–] xtremeownage@lemmyonline.com 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

All of the same emulators you use on windows, works in linux too.

Although, I have honestly not emulated anything newer then a ps2/wii, so, I cannot speak to the switch.

But, https://dolphin-emu.org/ can do gamecube/wii effortless, and runs native on linux.

Likewise, epsxe runs native on linux too. https://www.epsxe.com/download.php

A few years back, I built a HTPC for streaming games to my Livingroom TV.

https://xtremeownage.com/2020/09/29/htpc-retro-build-complete/

This PC has long since been repurposed, into a part of my server rack... but, it did its job wonderfully well. It ran Manjaro.

Now, one cool thing I did, is setup multiple "desktop environments". IE, I could either load into retroarch, or a desktop environment just by selecting it at the boot screen.

Retroarch, would hands down, be my preferred way to emulate on linux, as it consolidates everything into one easy place. however, years back when I did this, I still had to run ps2 separately. But, it did gamecube/wii perfectly.

[–] WR5@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

Thanks for the detailed response! This sounds promising.