Problems You will Encounter on Linux (and How to Solve Them)

[@sanesp1025]

My 15 year old Lenovo ThinkPad works like a charm with Linux Mint installed.

[@YadraVoat]

Indeed! My favorites are the T420, T420s, and T460s with the XFCE desktop environment. The Thunar file manager which comes with Linux Mint 21.3 now knows how to show the `btime` (date added, often thought of as date created) for files and folders, too!

[@KINduz3jp]

Same here since 2022. Not looking back!

[@hesslein007]

My LG laptop I got in 2012 with Win7 installed, I transformed it into a Linux machine without any trouble. I ran Fedora, Arch, Gentoo, Ubuntu, MX-Linux, Debian and Mint. After working with all of these distros, I stayed with Arch for a while, then Fedora for a while, then MX for a while, Debian for a short while, Ubuntu for 3 years and I finally settled with Mint, from which I'm writing this comment. It's a great version, better than Ubuntu I might add.

[@MustafaKulle]

Linux Mint is the best.

[@nferraro222]

Same. I loaded the newest Ubuntu on my old W510, which had been running Ubuntu for years and the login screen went completely crazy. I loaded it one more time, the same thing happened and I didn't even bother searching the forums and troubleshooting - I just loaded Mint and everything works.

[@Truth_Teller_101]

I stopped upgrading past Windows 7. The writing on the wall was a huge neon flashing sign. I don't need a software company to act as my nanny, babysitting my every move and calling back to the mothership to tattle on me. I don't need a software company to act like the computer I paid a lot of money for is actually theirs and they're just graciously letting me rent it.

[@Truth_Teller_101]

btw the more people that start using Linux, the more incentive software companies will have for making their stuff available on Linux (this include game companies).

[@1pcfred]

No with Windows you're licensing the OS. The hardware is definitely yours though. Do you know what a computer without an OS is? It's a pretty good doorstop.

[@Truth_Teller_101]

@sjbrockhurst65 Which is probably why Microsoft wants to buy Nvidia, and they've "partnered" with them to collude against their customers. Microsoft bought Bethesda and other once good game companies, and they would love to extend their monopolistic practices to the video card market. Imagine what a great world it would be if Microsoft owns all the video card companies and and the game software companies. Their next move would be to buy Intel and start designing chips that will only work on Windows (they're already trying to strong arm Intel into doing this under the guise of "security".

[@Truth_Teller_101]

@sjbrockhurst65 Love AMD. Have been buying their products since their math co-processors (back when CPU's had poor math capabilities).

[@contra_plano]

​@@1pcfred i have buyed a PC without OS. It is more cheaper and is Faster to install Linux (Mint)

[@yurydmorales]

Problems You Will Encounter on Linux (and How to Solve Them) 00:58 - 💻 The biggest headache when switching from Windows to Linux is hardware compatibility, especially the absence of a device driver for certain features. 02:23 - 📉 Advanced power-saving techniques like lid closing actions are typically not supported or no power saving at all on some models. 03:00 - 📜 In Linux, the device driver is passed as source code to the main Linux organization for approval, which can delay compatibility. 03:56 - 🖥 Certain brands like Lenovo ThinkPad and Dell XPS are more Linux-compatible due to their standard peripherals. 04:29 - 🛠 Distributions like Ubuntu are generally more compatible as Canonical invests time in adding drivers, even if not yet in mainline Linux. 05:57 - 🔧 Typical issues may be power management inefficiency or specific features like a touchscreen not working, but most other functions will be fine. 07:00 - 📚 Creating a notebook of common commands and understanding basic ones like CD, CP, and RM is essential for navigating Linux. 07:47 - 🔐 Understanding what "sudo" is and its importance for commands requiring root permission is crucial. 08:52 - 💾 Many apps are free and open-source in Linux, but specialized apps may need dual booting or finding alternatives like LibreOffice instead of Microsoft Office. 09:57 - 🛠 The process of installing apps on Linux can be confusing due to multiple package managers; starting with Ubuntu can simplify this process. 13:01 - 🗂 Linux has no concept of drive letters like C: or D:, instead, everything is in a directory or folder, which simplifies understanding the system structure. 13:50 - 💻 Linux needs an ext4 file system in its partition, while Windows uses NTFS. Linux can see NTFS file systems, but Windows cannot see ext4. 15:00 - 🖥 Linux has multiple desktop environments like GNOME, KDE, and MATE, allowing users to change and customize their desktop environment as desired. 17:00 - 🎮 Gaming on Linux can be challenging as the best games are designed for Windows; however, dual booting or using platforms like Steam Deck with Proton can help.

[@Mythhammer]

Many thanks.

[@brethilnen]

Commenting to boost þis comment

[@realtorjames2586]

With advanced power saving techniques, I have an acer Chromebook running Linux mint and it sleeps when I close the lid, etc. It also has a touchscreen which works well. I always turned off the power saving features though on my desktop. Nvidia drivers drove me nuts in the past but I did make them work on fedora and pclinuxos, although there were some bugs and I killed my install many times updating it.. Nowadays though it seems to have been resolved. Anyways, I'm switching back after wrestling with windows 11 and all the AI and privacy issues. Debian is my current favorite, so hopefully it works well on my new desktop,

[@caz5021]

Legend

[@andrewsvaz]

The main reason I left Linux was I was developing on Linux then a day came an update and things went absolutely haywire. To top things off, I had an emergency problem with a client and had 6 hours to make things work or else I would get a nasty fine (contractual). I had to get a Windows machine and fix it. I can understand that I made a mistake with the update and had a major bad luck issue with the timing, but I can't afford the risk of these types of problems.

[@MustafaKulle]

I strongly recommend Linux Mint. It's great. Simple and easy to use. Having used windows all my life, this is a good starting point. I've been using Linux Mint for over theee years now and I never looked back.

[@Growmap]

I agree. Linux Mint is my favorite. If anyone has Ubuntu and doesn't like it, try installing Lubuntu over it to make it more like Mint.

[@MustafaKulle]

@@Growmap Ooooh. I never heard of Lubuntu. It sounds really cool. It sounds like a Mint and Ubuntu hybrid. Is it? I'll try that on a separate machine one day. Thanks for that. 👍

[@Raiken333]

Awesome! thank you for the recommendation. I've been think about switching for awhile.

[@cobaltxphoenix]

Mint is great! It supports hardware that even Windows didn't. I got a DVD drive back on an old laptop and Wi-Fi back on my Surface Pro.

[@javabeanz8549]

I'm a long time Linux user, and I prefer Linux Mint. It's currently highly compatible with Ubuntu, as reenabling Snap support is easy, and most Ubuntu repositories are compatible as well. I run Ubuntu servers for several customers as well as for myself. I used Ubuntu for 6.06 through 14.04, and tried 15.10, but they had ruined the desktop experience for me at that point. I tried Linux Mint Cinnamon and Mate, and Ubuntu Mate, before settling on Linux Mint Cinnamon.

[@c1ph3rpunk]

Tip: chapter markers.

[@TitusandTesla]

A must !!

[@c1ph3rpunk]

@@TitusandTesla if you include them the likelihood the algo will promote the video also increases. It’s good for both the creator AND the consumer, the classic win-win.

[@50-50_Grind]

1:54 1. Hardware Compatibility 6:12 2. You Have to Use Terminal 8:47 3. Apps and App Installation 12:41 4. UI Differences and Structure 16:53 5. Gaming 18:39 6. Getting Help

[@contort69]

@@50-50_Grind Thanks you!

[@madsighntist14]

I am a "struggling to use" WANT to use Linux! Oddly, my First computer, circa late 80's was a CP/M OS! My first "windows" computer was a dual 3.5" floppy with WIN on floppy 1, then work (!!!) on floppy 2 (the CP/M had a micro cassette drive for storage!) At 74 years old, I am tired of Micro Shafting me. I have tried downloading "iso to SD DRIVES", etc. and STILL end up with No Linux! IS THERE a Linux for Dummies or Internet equivelant? I did hear one spot that was a "pay for", and will RE PLAY this to find more about that. I really appreciated the "Snarkie" comment: back in the early 90's I TUTORED in a public library, To INCLUDE the "Old School Librarians" and I was able to assist EVERYONE, even the Double PHD, who questioned me for 15 minutes upon my EDUCATIONAL CREDENTUALS! I finally got through to him, by saying "Had I gone to SCHOOL for what I know, I ~would have~ a Phd, that HE had Wasted 15 minutes of MY TIME, meant To Help HIM, because his DOUBLE Phd did not include the 40 YEARS of Electronics that I knew! (I built my FIRST Radio at the age of Seven, and Eleven Years later was in the Second most difficult Army SIGNAL CORPS School, the highest being CRYPTO RADIOS! I graduated 2nd in my Company, right out of High School, #1 had a Bachlors Degree in ELECTRONICS !!!) THANK you, for never talking "down" to your followers ! philip, from the Great Pacific NorthWET, Oregon Divisionb

[@kafadek825]

I am all for the fragmentation of Linux. That is what has kept it from being killed by corporate greed. Standardize it and let one company get dominant then we are doomed

[@Mantikal]

It's not really about "the company." It's about when the company goes outside of itself to ask for money from investors. Any investor in their right state of mind wants 100% guaranteed returns on their handed over funds. To that goal, there is a phrase that automatically comes attached to ROI - "Lock down" . They will not hand over a penny until that company clearly walks them through exactly what policies, patents and processes to "lock down" all those $,$,$ to have them all line up and march right into their checking accounts seamlessly and thus allay their anxieties. To further "lock down" that $,$,$ stream, most of those investors will also install one (or a few ) of their team on site of that company - to make shit-sure that's exactly what happens.

[@johnterpack3940]

That's exactly why I won't run any distro with SystemD.

[@1pcfred]

Linux is bulletproof due to the GPL licensing. The GPL breaks any one entity from ever gaining control. We can sue them if they try.

[@eijentwun5509]

This is what is Happening to Ubuntu/Canonical. That is why I dont see a Future in Ubuntu. Even though Linux Mint is based on it...its a FIXED better Ubuntu.

[@1pcfred]

@@eijentwun5509 Debian is better than both of them. Debian is testing that's been fixed. But I don't recommend Debian to new users due to Debian's policy. By default non-free is disabled in Debian. Enabling that is an extra step that new users don't need. Edit a conf file? What's that mean?

[@BG101UK]

As a relatively long-term Linux user (8+ years), it's good to see a "fresh" perspective on what it's like to be a new user today. On the Forums, some people can have us going round in circles!

[@ZacharyNoah]

I consider myself an on-again, off-again Linux user, and the same goes for Windows.

[@MegaSunspark]

As an experienced or expert Linux user, if you don't have relatively brief, clear, non snarky answers to newbies' questions, then don't answer at all. Maybe someone else with compassion and understanding will answer in a useful way that helps to promote Linux for widespread use by the general public.

[@cosmicallyspeaking871]

♥Moving to Linux is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I use different flavors on different machines and it is an absolute joy to tinker & tweak systems. All my old computers have come back to life & are working great! 💖

[@niv8880]

I remember the day I removed Windohs from all my devices. It was therapy in a way. I felt better not knowing I wouldn't wake up the next day to find some other 'spyware' feature installed.

[@youandican2]

I stopped using Windows at Ver. 3.1.1 and have never looked back. Linux continues to get better with each passing day, weeks, months and years.

[@ElliottDay-ok6ti]

the trouble mostly with linux when you're looking for help, KZbin comes to mind but everyone of those almost always never tell you the first steps they just assume you know what to click to get to where that is they miss steps in terminal swell expecting you to know what to type to enter that directory 99% of the how to videos are useless of new users. I found your video very helpful

[@tonywise198]

The most important takeaway from all this, is the the need for experienced Linux users to refrain from being elitist, snobby, snarky and writing RTFM when dealing with Newbies. Just try to be nice to people. Please.

[@africkinamerican]

I gave up on installing Manjaro several years ago because the people at the forum, which is supposed to be the ultimate source of help (it's the ONLY official source of help -- there is no "manual") were utterly unhelpful. It does seem that they expect you to just figure i out yourself. People who have actual things to do don't have time to "figure it out"

[@nicoleking772]

The BIGGEST hindrance to Linux is the large amount of D!ckheads in the Linux community. It seems that you can not ask a question, without some Iceh0le having something stupid to say in response. Be a female computer geek and OMFG all bets are off.

[@youandican2]

If the Linux distro you are using resorts to RTFM than you are USING THE WRONG distro.

[@markehijele]

They can eat their Linux. I’d continue using Windows or MacOS, both of which are still much better than Linux.

[@grahamrogers3345]

You just did what you accuse them of doing. RTFM ! You're speaking in jargon. I had to look it up.

[@hesslein007]

Great video. Very informative. I switched to Linux 5 years ago and never regretted it.

[@TheGunmanChannel]

I can't even figure out how to do basic stuff like install a program

[@youandican2]

@@TheGunmanChannel - That is what a program manage is made for. There are different ways of installing programs, but the package manager is about the simplest way to go.

[@robertprimak2407]

@@TheGunmanChannel Snap and Flatpak are as easy to use for program installs as the Apple or Google Play app stores. Linux Mint has a GUI app manager which takes care of just about everything.

[@EterpayKugml]

Linux may not have “spyware” preinstalled, but most of the services you use online does. Thinking that privacy can somehow be had is an illusion.

[@toby9999]

Plus, phones, banking, medical services, government agencies, and a plethora of other services collecting data.

[@BanjoPixelSnack]

So because we can't have total privacy we should be okay with having *none*?

[@demonmonsterdave]

@@BanjoPixelSnack Excellent comment. Most people are so hypnotized that they can't even think clearly.

[@spraitukas]

People don't get that it's actually wayyy easier to hack and corrupt linux system than windows 😂 Only Arch is somewhat different but only in the right hands. Also, only macOS is more centralized than linux.

[@YadraVoat]

15:03 - KFCE? Is that the Kentucky Fried Chicken Environment? I might suppose it's a fork of XFCE but KFC's motto encourages eating with one's hands, no? 😜

[@musicalneptunian]

A sumptuous kernel in GNU sauce.

[@peterschmidt9942]

This particular Kernel is greasy and undercooked

[@peladoclaus]

Eeerrrbs and spicesses

[@cptfarzkizz8823]

Dude was probably hungry making the video.

[@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115]

That'd make for a nice DE. Soon in GitHub for sure.

[@Fireman9143]

Just knowing which distro to use in which system is a huge barrier. Lite distros for old laptops and chrome, major distros for drivers, specific distros for Pi. We need a video just for that!

[@Ben_Dare]

Mint homepage...got you covered...look it up.

[@aurum79argentum47]

My crummy MS Surface Pro Go tablet works amazingly with Linux, touch screen and all. Love it!

[@SummerSideOfLife]

I actually start with Linux in 1997. Then forced to Windows for jobs. Thanks to 11. I now get to go back to Linux. Thanks Microkrap.

[@randyriegel8553]

I'm a software engineer that mainly uses Windows for my day job. I started using Linux in the 90's before the GUI even existed and the whole thing fit on one floppy disk. I started in DOS at a young age developing software. Every year when I get a new laptop I convert the old one to Debian Linux. I still use command line in Windows more than file explorer... to me it's just more natural. And Linux even with desktop I do the same.

[@dj__grizzly]

hehe, i went from BASIC and GEOS (in my opinion the original windows 1) on commodore 64 to msdos and later windows on pc and stayed with windows from the very first release up to windows 10. I did try Linux in the nineties, gave up every time, i don't think i ever managed to get it running 🙂

[@louism9725]

Any experience for sharing with chatting apps like FB Messenger, whatsapp, telegram?

[@reindeer8890]

For C/C++ development, I'd say that the main problem in non-Windows environments is lack of Visual Studio. It's a remarkable product. If you view a computer as simply a machine for running applications (or media consumption, although I think that appliances like radios, physical books, stereos, audio mixers, SSD+dedicated player box are superior), this whole business of OS becomes a side issue. Generally, I'd say that Linux is well suited to those who want to run an amateur IT department in their house. If that interests a person, that's cool. I suppose another cohort would be people who like SBC exotica or to use vintage computers, but it's still a hobby centered around manipulating the computer rather than it's use as a tool.

[@Growmap]

@@louism9725 What specifically do you want to know? I believe Whatsapp and Telegram both have desktop versions BUT you have to sign up for them with a smart phone. FB Messenger works in a browser. I use FireFox. I suspect the other two would also work in a browser, but I haven't used them because I refuse to use smart phones.

[@babajaiy8246]

@@reindeer8890 " but it's still a hobby centered around manipulating the computer rather than it's use as a tool." So untrue - especially when you can run Sim/CGI software on Linux that gives you 30% more optimization of memory over Windows - That's speaking from a professional point of view - not hobby.

[@harveybc]

You are 100% right about the attitude of some users and the snarky attitude. Also about the multiple varied looking environments. It does scare many many people away. One that I'd add is that the manual pages tend to be pretty cryptic. I have little problem using command lines but I still remember Win 3.0 as being something new. But the language used in the manual pages somethings requires a bit of knowledge that isn't there for beginners.

[@youandican2]

If the version (Distro) of Linux requires you to use the command line to get things done, the YOU ARE USING the wrong Distro. The majority of things can be accomplished without ever touching the command line. You may run into people that tell you how to do things using the command line, as it tends to be normally faster to what ever is needed. I really get it, not everyone is comfortable using the command line. In the majority of all cases, there are GUI's that can be used instead. Sorry, I don't get how you think reading a man page is that cryptic. They are simply telling you how to use a command from a command line and the attributes that can be used with the command. Can you please provide an example of a man page that you find so cryptic? I would truly like to understand why they seem so cryptic.

[@harveybc]

@@youandican2 You don't find screen after screen of switches, usually just a letter or two instead of a words cryptic? It really depends on how well you speak the language. Look at the command to strip the closed caption from a video stream using ffmpeg: ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v copy -c:a copy -s 0 output.mp4 I or you might not have a problem understanding what the -i and multiple copies and the -s are for but a new user just coming into this? Heck, there are hundreds of millions of people that have no problem interpreting Доброе утро but I certainly do since I don't speak the language and not familiar with the alphabet used.

[@Mikkomario]

After wasting hours dealing with Windows "**S-Mode" and other "security" features, I promised to myself I would not buy Windows anymore. The transition was a bit scary, but certainly worth it.

[@radaro.9682]

You were buying it when you were using it? Why? Not like you have an obligation to Microsoft to protect their bottom line

[@aarlavaan]

​@@radaro.9682it isn't about loyalty or protecting their bottom line as a user. rather, you don't purchase a key for activation and you don't get security updates. So you are left more vulnerable.

[@cyberfunk3793]

So now you waste hours debugging some video or bluetooth driver that doesn't work on the Linux or because you can't run the software that could actually do the work.

[@Mikkomario]

@@cyberfunk3793 Hah, good point 😅. And yes, I have done that too. At least it feels like it's more by choice in this case, and it doesn't feel as much like someone else is actively making my life more difficult with this OS. But yeah, it's pretty emotional reasoning.

[@cyberfunk3793]

@@Mikkomario Get a Mac and have the best of both worlds. A system with less viruses that actually usually works and can run most of the software people need. I still have a windows 10 machine also because a few specialty apps only run on it but otherwise I wouldn't bother with anything else than a Mac anymore.

[@yesihavereadit]

Hardware wise, that was the best thing. To reinstall Windows took so long to get get all the drivers right. Linux mint just did it!

[@OtakuGenx]

Rob, Davinci Resolve works natively in Linux. Unless you are having problems with the audio encoder as I know that while Ubuntu and others have the required proprietary drivers installed for some reason Davinci Resolve will not see the system drivers, could be a permissions issue.

[@4eyesleo]

It works, apart from MP4 video files 😊

[@chrissmith7655]

Hi, many thanks for your appeal to experts to help us newbies to Linux who are fed up with Windows updates wrecking our system setups. Again many thanks for all your uploads.

[@daveb7999]

Moving to Linux is worth the effort! It's so much easier to make the move than it used to be. I've had at least one foot into Linux since the early 90's ... back then it was downright painful making the move, but not any more. Once you become even slightly familiar with Linux, you will be glad you did. First of all, it's all free. If you don't like something in Linux, you can easily change it in your current distro, or move to another distro that is a bit more tailored to your liking. I can't express enough, how much the freedom of using Linux will change your life. I have learned to love that freedom and use it to my benefit, you can too. Enjoy the Freedom of Linux! Thanks for this inspiring video Rob, you take a lot of the sting out of making the change. Life is good, Linux makes it even better.

[@Jirodyne]

There are 2 big BIG factors for me that prevent me from moving. 1, Video game support. It's not existing on Linux. I can't just go "I want to play this. Buy, Download, Install, and play." I have to check support, I have to go through many hoops with configs, installing, and complex maintence. And 99% of the time, they games don't support Linux, especially Indie games or very popular AAA and AA games. I am a massive gamer, all I do is play games. All day, every day. And not just 1 game for months, no, I can switch and play 4-8 different games in a week, switching every week. I own, and play, a lot of video games. Through Steam and GoG. If I can't simply install and play any random game I want, I'll never switch to Linux. Ever. Instant deal breaker. The second issue is that I don't buy prebuilt PCs. I own a custom PC, which has costs me well over $1000 across multiple years of saving up, begging, and being gifted parts and money before finally getting my current build, with a Geforce RTX 4060 GPU and AMD Ryzen 7 2700 CPU on a ROG STRIX B450-F GAMING Motherboard. 2 monitors, and both an HDD and SSD. And I am 99.9% sure, none of those are compatible Linux. So I can't just wipe windows and install Linux, keeping all my personal files on my HDD safe. No, if I wanted to 'Switch to Linux', and build a 'Linux gaming PC', I would be forced spend thousands, if not multiple thousands, on a brand new PC which is just not possible, as my budget is literally just $100 per month, and having no food or drink for that month if I save the money for a new PC. People like to say it's "Easy" and "Worth it." But I highly disagree. It is costly, time consuming, and for anything not your 'average old lady who only uses the browser or a text file', would be life changing and cutting out 99% access to programs that windows just defaults supports.

[@TheGunmanChannel]

I can't even install Nord VPN. Sorry if installing a program needs a degree in computer science I can't see how we're meant to easily adapt.

[@youandican2]

@@TheGunmanChannel - Nord VPN does not make it easy to install it on Linux. NordVPN Linux application does not have any graphical user interface and the application is used by entering the commands via the Linux terminal window. There are many KZbin videos that can help you install Nord VPN on a Linux system.

[@TheGunmanChannel]

@@youandican2 ok, I'm glad it wasn't just me then. Thanks, maybe I'll give Linux another try. I really want to like it.

[@robertprimak2407]

@@TheGunmanChannel NordVPN is available in the Software Manager of Linux Mint 21.3, as a Flatpak, meaning it will receive updates from Linux Mint via Update Manager. Configuration may still require the Command Line.

[@mrright1068]

How about a central repository for all system errors without having to hunt for them in many text files.

[@shreedevi2005]

I have my Dell XPS 13, Linux laptop with Ubuntu and everything works just fine. I remember first installing Linux in late 1992 on a 386 SX 16. What a ride it has been. LOL

[@d46512]

Hi Rob, great video. The directories separators on Linux are different than windows. You’ve got a backslash when it should be forward /

[@AnthonyElsom]

Despite using an old Dell 3521, which isn't even supported by Dell anymore, I'm running an activated, up to date copy of Win11 23H2 on it without any obvious issues. My preferred Linux distro is KDE Plasma Neon, which I switch with Windows via a enclosure that fits in the DVD/R bay, saving me the dual boot drama.. That way the two OS's doesn't interfere with each other, and my entire computer life is on a 4.7 TB HDD in the normal bay. This way I can also try out all kinds of distro's or retro versions of Windows or even DOS.

[@snax_4820]

Instead of dual-boot buy an additional mini PC instead.

[@privateerburrows]

I've been on Linux for the past 15 years or so, but I still have tons of problems with it. Ironically, I just experienced a scary one by using a command from this video. I thought I had all the codecs already installed, but I decided to give the line offered at 5:20, $ sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras Apparently I did not have the restricted extras; and to install them, the system needed me to agree to a EULA by Microsoft for some stupid TTF fonts. But so it displayed the EULA right in the terminal, through some magic they only know. At the end of the EULA there was an button, but the button was just a text display, no way to click on it with the mouse. No instruction was given on how exactly to agree or disagree. No indication of how I can get out of this darn EULA display. Completely stuck. I thought "maybe I'll do this through Synaptic, instead. So I went from the File menu -> Close Terminal. When I tried to open Synaptic, it told me that it could not get lock. Apparently the process was still running that I closed the terminal for. I fired up a version of TOP, like Windows Task Manager, to try and kill the process, but I could not recognize it in the long list of processes; I don't know the name of the installer process. So I figured I needed to reboot. But even reboot refused to work; it sent me to a new login screen WITHOUT rebooting. After several cycles of this I lost patience and pressed the Power button for 4 seconds. On coming back, my PC spent several minutes checking disk. Then, when I tried to run Synaptic, it gave me an error message and recommended that I run dpkg --configure -a I did so, and FINALLY my machine was back in business. It is unfortunate that the people working in Linux so many of them have the attitude of "a user SHOULD know this", "a user SHOULD know that", and they liberally design situations that even users with 15 years experience like myself get completely lost with. Linux could have already taken all other operating systems right out of business if it wasn't for the elitistic attitudes and lack of empathy its developers show towards users, and specially newbies. When I bought this machine, a few months ago, I had a dream of installing two distros in dual boot: Ubuntu and Open SUSE Tumbleweed. I've successfully installed Ubuntu, but half my disk space is still empty and waiting for me to figure out how to install Tumbleweed. The Tumbleweed installer did not work at all for me in the first place, and nobody at their forum was able to help me; but even if it had worked, I never found any help on the internet for how to have two separate sets of disc partitions. Mostly all the tutorials and videos are about how to dual-boot with Windows. But how can I have two partitions labelled "/" and install one distro in one, and another in the other, is never told anywhere. And I'm sure the reason is that we are "SUPPOSED TO KNOW how to do it". EDIT: For anyone considering switching to Linux right now, let me save you some time and headaches: Start with Ubuntu. Current LTS (long term support) version is 24.04. Download the image of the installer, make a USB boot-able stick with it, and then boot from it. It will ask you if you want to install it or just play with it. Play with it for a few minutes, then install it with just the necessary things. Once it is installed and booting, search the main menu for an app called "synaptic". It allows you to install packages without using the command line directly. Get to know it. Hit the Mark All Upgrades button, and if it's a fresh install there will be many upgrades; then hit Apply, and be patient. Once everything is up-to-date, get to know the program, explore the packages available by hitting the Sections button, and selecting a category. Games and Amusement (universe) for example. You can hit Ctrl-F and type a name of a package, and synaptic will locate it for you. You install packages by placing a checkmark on them. You can install any number of packages at once. Select all the ones you want, then hit Apply. Voila! Probably the first thing you want to install is a better window manager than the awful looking and unintuitive Gnome. I used to like Lubuntu, because it looked so similar to Windows95/98, which were my all time favorite versions of Windows (I hated whatever came after with increasing strength). But there is a problem with Lubuntu; a serious problem that creeps up slowly on you over time: It has its own main menu system but with no main menu editor to go with it, and many apps don't know how to add links to themselves on the main menu as they install. So you install some package or game, and when you look for it in the menu you can't find it. You can only fire up the app from the command line, or if you want it in the menu you have to go on the internet asking how to edit the menu files for Lubuntu to add a link to the app you just installed. This makes Lubuntu a nightmare for me. But one day someone told me he used to be on Lubuntu but later switched to MATE, and when I asked him why, he said because MATE has a very good, visual main menu editor. So I installed MATE and could not be happier. Absolutely recommended. Don't even waste your time looking at Lubuntu. Finally, once you have Ubuntu and MATE installed, you can go to the internet and search "what to do after a fresh install of Ubuntu" and you'll find a gazillion recommendations, such as installing drivers, players, codecs, Flash, pdf viewers, Libre Office, etc. The main take-away from me, is to start with Ubuntu and MATE. Have fun! EDIT2: Oh, and one of the most common questions of Windows users new to Linux is "how do you defrag?" Linux automatically keeps the disk defragmented; there is no need to defragment the disc; but if you insist there IS a way; you can check fragmentation with, sudo e4defrag -c / which most of the time will tell you you don't need to defrag; but you can insist on it with, sudo e4defrag / but it is really not necessary. EDIT3: Another very clever thing to install in Ubuntu is OLLAMA, and through it llama3.1. Then, from a terminal you can type, ollama run llama3.1:8b which, as you probably know by now, is an open source chatbot AI by Meta. The reason this is clever is that llama3.1 can help you when you get stuck in Linux. Before you go to the internet with a problem, you can try the help of llama3.1

[@markschlageter3976]

I just read this entire post. I have been considering moving from Windows to Linux Mint. I have 4x before tried going to Linux only to end up bewildered in the terminal. After reading this I'm staying on Windows. No I don't want the MS crap either but there's not enough time for this kind of stuff.

[@youandican2]

@@markschlageter3976 - If you end up having to use the terminal to get most things done, you are using the wrong distro...

[@robertprimak2407]

Linux ext file systems don't experience file-level fragmentation the way Windows FAT, FAT-32 and NTFS do. It's in the file system, not the OS.

[@robertprimak2407]

@@markschlageter3976 How did you get into the Terminal in Mint? By default Mint does not install or configure anything in the Terminal.

[@bufordghoons9981]

Once my Linux training wheels came off, I chose Gentoo Linux and have been using it for years. It is highly customizable and you only install programs on your machine that you want installed. I use IceWM as my desktop environment: lean, clean, customizable, and quick but is not fancy and polished looking like Plasma or Cinnamon.

[@ARFunIn]

Thank you for this non-confrontational execution. Tried dual drive/dual boot Windows/Linux, until completely alienated by the recent Windows 11 activity on my computer. Hardware is a newer Lenovo desktop with a GEFORCE GTX. Very simple move, but still grappling with the fundamental architecture differences. Thank you again.

[@Mikkomario]

Great video! I swithced to Linux (Ubuntu) a while ago. I bought a new computer with Linux installed. Getting all the apps to work was the most difficult part. I spent a lot of hours searching the internet for solutions. I was already quite familiar with the command line so that was not an issue. Eventually I got the necessary apps installed and after that it's been much smoother than on windows. I do recommend Linux, but maybe only for those with experience in technical problem-solving.

[@lm4278]

Believe it or not, when i switched, chatgpt helped me iron out some bugs.

[@byteme0000]

I agree completely. Still, that’s why Linux is a big NO for most folks. The average computer use wants a toaster… something you just plug in and use. They buy the computer to do the tasks that they want to do, not to fart around geeking out on the arcana and esoterica of a nerdy OS.

[@robertprimak2407]

@@byteme0000 That kind of fiddling around is not necessary for many modern Linux distros. Including Mint. It's as close to plug and play as Apple with MacOS.

[@dox5573]

I've only started using linux by using Steam Deck. A user of windows since windows3.11 . I've only been slightly confused with file management, but mainly I'm running in the game mode so it's no issue for me. All of the bulk and bloat of windows is no longer bogging down the system resources. Lesser machines could run far better with linux.

[@Trapped_in_the_Dunya]

I remember when spyware was a bad thing on computers. Rob has a good point right in the beginning. You want privacy, you'll want linux

[@richardbast7243]

I bought a computer that is built with Linux in mind as the OS. I chose POP! The manufacturer already installed most of what I need.

[@whoeverofhowevermany]

My concern genuinely isn't even privacy. My concern is that all the privacy invasions that I don't really care about won't be coded very good and it will make my system unstable and prone to crashing. 😑

[@livreene7250]

I started using Linux circa 1998, with Redhat, there were so many problems with software and especially hardware, yet I never got scared/hassled away, I kept going, and in the process I realized when you really want to get something done you will get it done as long as you put in real effort, if you're always looking for excuses not doing something you will find the the perfect excuses ever existed, even with the abusive behaviors with big tech especially MS, people will put up with that instead of seeking self control /freedom/independence, just like people in a dictatorship, so long as they still have means to chug along they will, and they will find all kinds of ridiculous excuses for that decision. Please don't tell me Linux is more difficult to use when it was in 1990s, even then I was fully on Linux, and I am not a computer expert by any means.

[@toby9999]

Spent 3 days trying to get Linux working vs. 30 minutes for Windows 10. The Linux world needs to lift its game if it wants to lift is market share on the desktop. I use MS Visual Studio. Linux has nothing to match it. That in itself is a nonstarter for me.

[@Robert.Chauval]

@@livreene7250 same 1999 redhat 6.2 was a turning point for me. Never used windoze again.. including running my small business 100% linux from 2003.. my staff never ever had issues with the linux desktop..

[@LaZd-]

Lmao. Talk about a brainlet reply. You merely proved this videos point with the snarkyness and elitist attitude. You added nothing and instead looked down on others. Nice one mate. Just went RIGHT over your head, huh? Self awareness and attention to details must not be your strong point, so with that logic I'm amazed you can even use Linux properly. Lmfao.

[@youandican2]

@@toby9999 - "Spent 3 days trying to get Linux working vs. 30 minutes for Windows 10." If it took you three days, then you are doing something really wrong.

[@robertprimak2407]

@@youandican2 Or, they had hardware which experienced issues. This can happen with Bluetooth, WiFi and sound configurations on some computers. Also, some graphics cards.

[@bboyda4399]

Thorough, informative, clear and concise information! Great video!

[@WTF-vv8ic]

This guy is always a good source for information

[@Bkamron]

I've not been using Windows so long I have forgotten my way around Windows. I knew windows terminal so well and now I feel like my mom wheb she got her first laptop. Stopped using Windows since 2004 complete move over in 07, mainly hung on for photoshop, illustrator and indesign and ArcGIS. Made the plunge and figured out Gimp, Scribus, Inkscape and QGIS and I've been paid to do stuff using these software and nobody has complained since. Current work is all QGIS and I use my Linux desktop everyday at work.

[@Todeskulte_enttarnt]

19:55 *_"snarkey and dismissive"_* Rob, sorrily you are so very right. Because of that attitudes within last 10 years I fed up 3 times. No matter how humble and precise I asked, they "answered" I should read books about fundamentals or linux just isn't for me. Or they answered with termes and "explanations" not understandable for me, each time lost helpless.

[@sigmata0]

You also have the option of using LLM's now. For common issues I think the AI responses should help a great deal. Even obscure issues can be commented upon by the AI. Not only that, it can probably help you with how to ask questions and how to make sense of answers. I've been using Linux for over twenty years both in the desktop and server environments. I'm still experimenting with things because new features are added continuously. So when it comes to asking questions it can be very challenging to ask the kind of question that will get you the response you need. I've found asking AI, I can ask the question more directly and get a pretty precise answer. I try to bare in mind that the models are most likely a little out of date, as they were trained on older data (unless the particular AI you ask has access to the Internet to help them answer questions). What I have found is that even if it can't provide an accurate answer (which it can do sometimes), it gives me enough information to greatly help be search for the likely answers to the question I'm asking. It can certainly help clarifying concepts and how they are implemented in Linux. I dare say it can help act as a teacher too although I haven't needed to use it that way.

[@DerSchakal523]

​@@sigmata0 I agree, I do the same and can recommend it! The answers that the LLMs give, are not worse than answers by humans. And the LLM is never being impolite or tells me to RTFM. It's sad that I have to admit that it's more pleasant to talk to an LLM than with humans.

[@non9886]

i agree. but i think this is the same on windows and in most of forums today in general...

[@DerSchakal523]

@@non9886 I understand this! Microsoft is really arrogant! If you have any problems, they don't care. Why should they do? So, the final answer is: switch to Linux!

[@Todeskulte_enttarnt]

@@non9886 _"the same on windows...forums"_ For every question I had on Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP, 7 and 10, I found answeres online quickly. Never I was forced to ask any question in a forum like on linux.

[@anonamouse5917]

As a noob I prefer Linux Mint. It has the look and feel of Win7. The forum is great. There is lots of help PROVIDED you have already read the FAQ and searched to see if your problem has already been resolved.

[@mikewurlitzer5217]

Your last comment about "Snarky responses" is spot on. Former Director of Engineering responsible for 70 plants world wide and long time Windows user, Assembly {for raw speed}, and VB 6.0 [don't laugh] programmer. VB 6.0 was stellar for quick fix development and proof of concept that helped me and my company stay ahead of the competition. After Win7, Windows just became too flaky and SlooooooooooooooooooooW. Linux Mint is now, in my retirement, my daily driver and while I miss VB 6.0 [still laughing?] Linux Mint has been stellar except when I need assistance from the "Experts". Let's just say, none of the "Experts" would ever make it in "Customer Service" or "Customer Relations".

[@joelyoungcbi]

I hear that! 10,000%!

[@jimrafert7372]

I disagree. Trolls 'helping' with belittling responses is an internet problem, not a LInux specific one. Ultimately it's a problem of human psychology.

[@jimrafert7372]

I have had great success getting help from people who really are knowledgeable. A simple web search will give answers for most problems that new users run into. As for the trolls,, you just have to ignore them.

[@Sylvan_dB]

If you still miss VB 6.0 on Linux, you might like "BASIC for QT" a.k.a. q7basic or qtbasic. I don't use that. Another choice more my style is PyCharm, a development environment for Python.

[@DavePease-f4e]

I mainly used VB until Windows 11 required newer hardware. I rewrote automation in Python that how runs on Raspberry PI's.

[@Debiano_Banano]

Linux Mint is the standard newbie distro. Far from my favorite distro, but I will acknowledge its user friendliness & stability.

[@rigaleb]

DaVinci Resolve works on Linux, too

[@funnyberries4017]

eh..... not the free version. It's missing all the codecs and cant load most video files.

[@lussor1]

​@@funnyberries4017then pay

[@kwaki-serpi-niku]

The free version works just fine. I'm running the free version on mint​@@funnyberries4017

[@1pcfred]

@@funnyberries4017 So you install the codecs. You can also use ffmpeg to change video encodings.

[@GapRecordingsNamibia]

Installing DaVinci on any Linux distro correctly is a PITA.... I wish BMC would update the installer to be more compatible with newer distros, and, that it would stop reqireing obsolete drivers, libfuse2 being one....

[@rudolfecker7691]

I couldn't agree more, Rob. The biggest obstacle to Linux growing bigger (and better) are snarky Linux 'experts'. I've used Linux and Windows for more than 25 years and have had to contend with half-arsed advice from endless Linux forums that make virtually no effort to properly explain how to overcome problems. I've since converted numerous Windows users to Linux but always make the effort to explain, in words of one syllable if possible, the differences and how to make things work in Linux. The nicest thing we can all do is to be helpful to others and thus draw them into 'our' circle. I see no advantage in alienating people who wish to be our friends. And just because you can have dozens of different distros with umpteen different desktops and umpteen different utilities to achieve the same ends doesn't help to simplify things. Someone trustworthy, like Linus, should set up an advisory team to create a more universally usable 'core' distro. Sure if you want to follow your dreams with some esoteric variation (I've tried virtually all of them) then do it - But don't hold Linux back with your personal obsessions. 😀

[@terencewinters2154]

Stove pipe system meant for maximum privacy inhibits mass use by creating some unnecessary firewalls .

[@Ensue85A]

I like the LinuxMint with Cinnamon.

[@ian666if]

I have been totally on Linux for more than fifteen years and have rarely found any compatibility issues. Linux usually has ALL the basic drivers in most Distro's, and also updates and upgrades are done without needing to stop what you are doing and no re-start needed. Far more secure and stable.

[@hesslein007]

My LG laptop I got in 2012 with Win7 installed, I transformed it into a Linux machine without any trouble. I ran Fedora, Arch, Gentoo, Ubuntu, MX-Linux, Debian and Mint. After working with all of these distros, I stayed with Arch for a while, then Fedora for a while, then MX for a while, Debian for a short while, Ubuntu for 3 years and I finally settled with Mint, from which I'm writing this comment. It's a great version, better than Ubuntu I might add.

[@funnyberries4017]

lol you had to change your OS 7 times in 12 years? That sounds like you had lots of problems!

[@lussor1]

Ubuntu is a dogshit fork of debian with the big hated snap packet manager

[@lussor1]

​​@@funnyberries4017in linux its easy to change distro without losing files

[@hesslein007]

@@lussor1 I fully agree with your assessment. It is dogshit, unfortunately....

[@armanis1234]

Arch best

[@tedwalford7615]

Excellent! This is exactly what I needed to know to get started with Linux. Thank you! Edit: I just went to your/Rob's/IPG's home page and watched the four-year-old video "Joe Rogan is wondering what I'm hiding!" What a great, and thorough, introduction to you and your mission and role as a "public-interest technologist." I recommend it for all your viewers. - And, gosh, I wish I'd found you that long ago! I have a lot to catch up on. Anyway, I'm subscribed and want to help support what you do. I'm excited to have found you.

[@talescaveira]

I love Linux and I use Fedora with no limitations except for my main job, audio production. It' really hard to work professionally with audio in Linux. Starting with the audio interfaces. Although the drivers may work properly, most interfaces use software to operate and use all their resources and they have no official versions for Linux. Most DAWs have no Linux version and even when they have (Reaper for example) the best plugins just won't work on Linux. Vst and vsti plugins are essential for the job and they are not natively compatible with Linux. I know that there are ways to "bridge" the plugins and some say that it's possible to make them run in Linux. I've tried several times, but I never managed to get them to work properly and stable. Depending on what kind of job you work, it's possible to work with soft and plugins made for Linux. Basic effects like EQs, compressors, reverbs and others have good Linux alternatives. But, if you depend a lot on sampled virtual instruments, Linux is still a lot of steps below Win and Mac. This is all based on my personal experience. Some producers, more skilled on Linux than I am may disagree.

[@1pcfred]

I am just happy when my audio works in Linux. Trying to do anything beyond the basics can get complicated real fast. The documentation is sketchy and no one knows what's going on.

[@robertprimak2407]

@@1pcfred Audio is a nightmare in Linux. None of the sound stacks yet introduced solve the problems. But pipewire does look promising.

[@1pcfred]

@@robertprimak2407 I don't know what a sound stack is. My audio is decent regardless. I don't know what pipewire does either. But I have it and it's running. I just listen to audio really. Videos, music, games. So I only care about how it sounds.

[@robertprimak2407]

@@1pcfred The sound stack is all the components which make sound happen. That includes pulse, also and a lot of other stuff. Pipewire is the latest upgrade in that pile of components. Sound drivers and other components have had problems in Linux since forever.

[@1pcfred]

@@robertprimak2407 all you really need for sound is ALSA and the right kernel driver. They're the only things that make sound happen. Everything else is going to go through ALSA and the kernel driver to make your audio hardware work. You can have sound with just ALSA and a kernel driver. Everything else is going to use ALSA and the kernel driver to access your audio hardware. We had sound before Pulse and Pipewire. I used to use the OSS driver from 4Front. I go way back.

[@MandrakeDCR]

Just to throw it out there, until several years ago, I was a 'tinkerer' in linux since probably '99 or so? I learned the hard way to never mess with the console or thrid party software for fear of bricking my install, so I would always end up back on Windows. About 3 years ago now I think, I installed ZorinOS (Ubuntu based distro) and I've never needed the console even once. I use it from time to time just messing around, but I don't NEED it. It just works. All praise to Valve for getting Steam to the point it's at - I've now had solely ZorinOS linux on my machine for years now. I highly recommend. I'm sure lots of other distros just as good, but I want to give them kudos whenever I see something like this. Have fun all, and I urge you to take the leap! Never has it been better!

[@joelyoungcbi]

The snarkiness/snobbery of some Linux communities is what drove me away from one particular distro, which I really liked. I'm happily using Kubuntu now, and the community doesn't treat me like a mentally challenged 3-year old (as did the other place). I left Windows. All Linux communities should celebrate that, be helpful, and make people like me feel welcome.

[@Peglegkickboxer]

That's going to fully die once a flood of newbies enter the market when windows 11 is forced down everyone's throats and windows 10 starts charging for updates. They will flood Linux Mint and Mint DE distros and things will become more established.

[@TheGunmanChannel]

​@@PeglegkickboxerNo they won't, they'll try them realise how convoluted it is to simply install a program

[@youandican2]

@@TheGunmanChannel It takes way less time to install Linux then it does to go through the BS steps installing Windows.

[@TheGunmanChannel]

@@youandican2 I mean installing a program on Linux, I agree setting up is simple, but I just can't get my head around what should be simple tasks like installing a program, no guides make it simple to understand. I'm just stumped. I really want to like Linux but just can't do it

[@youandican2]

@@TheGunmanChannel - Which disto are you using that makes it so hard to understand how to install different programs. Most modern day Linux distros use program managers to install and remove programs and rarely require the use of a command line to accomplish that task.

[@chrisc346]

~12:30 you can create shortcuts in the task menu it just requires a bit of extra work and the process changes frequently. In most rhel distros, you create a .desktop that calls a when script or bash -c command to launch the applet. Then install into /just using desktop-file-validate and desktop-file-install. Either creates a desktop shortcut or hiding the shortcut with a .x.desktop name adds the shortcut to the drop-down under the specified category

[@terrorbilly1]

Hi there, my fellow Linux Mint users :)

[@nadtz]

I've been running Mint on an old thinkpad and a slightly newer (but still old) Dell XPS for a few years now and the only thing that didn't work out of the box was the fingerprint readers. Finally moved my main machine over to Linux and just run Windows on a mini pc for when I need to fire up Office or something work specific. I'm familiar with Linux and the command line is not an issue but there has still been a decent 'learning curve' getting used to Linux as a desktop OS, but windows 11 finally got me to the point where I'd rather deal with Linux problems than windows ones.

[@reindeer8890]

I would argue that most genuinely useful work done on a computer could be done offline.

[@Growmap]

Yes and no. I could easily write offline. But the research required needs to be done online.

[@1pcfred]

Linux was born on the Internet so networking is pretty important.

[@reindeer8890]

@@Growmap Sounds to me like you just need an internet terminal ie. a Chromebook, which is a Linux variant, but could be anything really as far as the user is concerned. By work, I mean writing non-web software, video or audio editing (it's not uncommon to keep those offline), fine arts, chip design. More than one person would require an internal network. People managed for a long time with no more than email and Usenet.

[@reindeer8890]

@@1pcfred It works perfectly well without the internet. Honestly I think that we'll approach a case someday where people use a cheap online computer for the web and a dedicated airgapped computer for privacy. The only trickery is the transfer between the two.

[@1pcfred]

@@reindeer8890 I said networking was important, not absolutely essential. But I would argue that networking is virtually essential with Linux. I wouldn't run Linux without an Internet connection willingly. Now as far as privacy goes Linux has the most advanced cryptography available. It's a pretty popular aspect of Linux.

[@layartancep9263]

I'm no longer have problems in Linux... yet I'm still watching this kind of video.. lol

[@FredericHamel]

Proton is not an emulator, it's an environment that uses wine to run windows executable. Wine doesn't emulate application. The problem with gaming on Linux is that not all games run smoothly. There are some which requires tinkering to make it work. I am using Linux for more than 5 years. I encounter many issue like no audio due to faulty driver. Malfunctioning touchpad, due to driver incorrectly detecting the type of hardware. Though most of the time. It works well. I use Arch, though I do not recommend starting with this distro. Unless you are prepared to tinker a lot at the start. I started with Linux Mint cinnamon long ago, it has similar UI to Windows.

[@kwaki-serpi-niku]

I have a number of Linux machines in my house. I have a dual booter with Windows 11 and mint. All of the games that I have installed on both the window side and the Linux mint side work fine. I actually get slightly better frame rates on the mint side as opposed to the same games that I run on the Windows 11 side. I have a Manjaro machine. I have a Garuda machine. I have a raspberry pie. These all work outstandingly well. I would have no problem suggesting Garuda or Manjaro to a new Linux user.

[@mikewurlitzer5217]

@@kwaki-serpi-niku I would love to dual boot but only with Windows7. Doubt that is even possible but that is the last Windows OS that, IMO, was stable enough to rely upon.

[@kwaki-serpi-niku]

@@mikewurlitzer5217 That is absolutely possible. Just make sure to install the windows first. That makes things much easier. When you install the Linux second, then it will most likely look on your various hard drives in that PC and find the window 7 and add it to the boot menu, which will most likely be grub so that you can multi-boot. I like to put the different OS's on different hard drives instead of trying to partition out one hard drive and do it all on the same drive. I hope that makes sense. That way, it's a lot easier to make sure you have the proper first boot drive set up in your BIOS.

[@mikewurlitzer5217]

@@kwaki-serpi-niku Thanks! that's good to know. I'll dig out my old Win7 disk and give it a go.

[@kwaki-serpi-niku]

@@mikewurlitzer5217 I still got my Windows 7 retail DVD too. I'm running Windows 7 on a virtual machine. I have Manjaro running as a host OS and use VirtualBox with Windows 7 as the guest. It works great. I love Windows 7.

[@maaifoediedelarey4335]

AppImage - not correct : You *can* (with an extra once-off step) give the appimage app an icon, put it on the Desktop, and then include it in the normal Menu.

[@personanongratis]

I thought you only eat at KFC 14:57(It's XFCE but the goof is funny)!🤣

[@robbraxmantech]

Hahaha. Sorry. Typed too fast.

[@personanongratis]

@@robbraxmantech Personality I don't care for KFC, but I like XFCE although I'm more of a Plasma guy!

[@musicalneptunian]

Well Richard Stallman might add his toenails to the fast food menu.

[@lussor1]

​@@personanongratis plasma supremacy

[@artmcteagle]

Zorin Pro ($50) includes installation support. Could be a good starting point for those wanting to switch, but a bit unsure of their computer skills. Good breakdown Rob, and yes, I can relate to the Bluetooth issues!

[@BsktImp]

I notice these guides never ever cover internet security. Windows users at a minimum will be used to having Windows Security and Defender (despite the OS itself being a glorified spyware and the rest...) so Linux newbies are left wondering even if they need protection and if so what tools to use.

[@toby9999]

The spyware thing is over hyped scaremongering by Windows haters.

[@1pcfred]

That's because generally you don't have to do anything special to be secure with Linux. But there are some common sense things you should be doing or not doing. Don't run services you don't need. Don't give your IP address to everyone. Don't run software from sketchy places. I think just that should keep you safe from the bulk of risks. If you're a low profile user your risks are minimal. If you're hosting a hate group public website you may need higher security. Might want to consider using a hosting service then. But you do you.

[@robertprimak2407]

The fact that Linux has been around for several decades and there still are no antivirus programs for it should tell you something. Not to get too technical, but Linux is much better secured than Windows by design, from the ground up. It starts with Permissions (you never run as Root/Administrator, but use "sudo" instead for one thing) and builds upward from there. The code is open source, so many eyes are on it at all times. That said, some Linux security flaws have gone for decades unpatched.

[@tuncayusta640]

Great video to get rid of Linux anxiety. Thanks..

[@naga2015kk]

ALL these programmers are so good and savvy TO DO AN OS, BUT can't figure out how to create a macro for LINUX installation. Every little bit had to manually intervene and configure. what, your OS is configured for 4:3 monitors? Where do you get 4:3 monitors? what about mouse middle scroll wheel? Never heard of it? GPU drivers? dont even ask.....

[@robertprimak2407]

I've had fewer and fewer of those kinds of issues with more modern versions of several Debian Family Linux distros. The installs go just fine, except for an occasional issue with sound, video or System on a Chip drivers. And printer setup. Otherwise, few issues.

[@flinch622]

The deeper the layers windows has put settings etc over the years... the more I like command line. And the admin tools from redmond are what: buy a third party tool thats handy, put it in the next distro, and then abandon development/maintenance. For those who remember win98 the 'fix mbr' tool was indeed handy: saved alot of headaches by avoiding a complete reformat, and re-installing all programs.

[@robertprimak2407]

Most Windows and Mac users would rather dig through layers and layers of GUI panes than to ever touch a Command Line. But Command Line, even in Windows is much more efficient. Hardly any Windows consumer users ever touch the Windows Terminal, and that is a real shame. They could be much more productive and less frustrated.

[@Shauno777]

Do you need to have a duel boot or would a virtual machine be better?

[@lussor1]

Depends of what programs you want to use

[@Shauno777]

@lussor1 I'm a newbie and I heard that a virtual machine is safer

[@lussor1]

@@Shauno777 its good against malware if you want to download unsafe things

[@StormWarningMom]

The beauty of Linux is, it's your choice.

[@Milosz_Ostrow]

Rob posted a video recently wherein he recommended dual-boot for privacy and security. Linux can access Windows' NTSF disk partitions, but Windows can't even see Linux EXT-4 partitions, preventing Microsoft from snooping on anything you do in a native Linux environment.

[@fh9630]

enjoying linux very much! installed Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon, dual boot, 4 weeks ago; have not needed to boot windows yet. will not look back! using 4k TV as monitor; issue getting drivers for my NVidia GPU to work, but the on-board Intel 630 graphics work great, but only 30hz. with dual-boot, able to copy over my files over to Linux - LM will now become my primary "home".

[@heyguyslolGAMING]

20:25 Seems counter productive for the Linux community being annoyed by windows users. I mean if they helped thats more ppl converted which means more growth for the platform which is a win.

[@amadeusendymion1272]

Win? quite the reverse; the basic philosophy behind Linux is antithetical to that driving Windows. That flavour of Windows user should migrate over to Mac, they'll be happier in that fixed ecosystem.

[@amadeusendymion1272]

@@LeeGee And windows users are in exactly what type of clique/exclusive group?

[@youandican2]

I do believe the biggest reason that most in the Linux community seem annoyed by Windows users are the excuses they hear all the time from Window users like - It doesn't look like Windows does, It doesn't work that way in Windows, etc., etc. Surprise, surprise, it doesn't look or act like windows because it ISN'T Windows. If you want it to act and behave like Windows, then just use Windows and stop trying to make Linux into something it isn't

[@kizersoozie]

I dual-booted Ubuntu/Windows for 10 years, starting back in 2004. Over the past 20 years I've installed/tested a total of 45 Linux distros, finally determining that Linux Mint with the Cinnamon desktop was the one I liked best. Mint automatically found my nvidia card, my wifi printer, and just worked the way I wanted it to. All three of my systems are now Windows free, and my daily system dual boots Mint/LMDE6. It also runs nearly two dozen games through Steam. In short, Mint scratches all my itches and I have no intention of every going back to Windows.

[@dave7244]

19:55 Nobody expects you to read the source code. What they do expect is for you to read the documentation. Considering most of the documentation is available via one command on the terminal or found easily on Google there is no excuse.

[@3dFirefly]

sometimes the documentation does not make sense to us, I can't tell you how many times I got stuck on reading documentation that left me hanging on what to do.

[@STONE69_]

Try Mint, there are videos on everything you need, easy peasy, easy to install, works right off the bat.

[@dave7244]

@@3dFirefly Sometimes the documentation doesn't make sense to me. I still make an attempt to read it. People don't expect you to be an expert or understand everything they do expect you to learn how to ask questions.

[@robertprimak2407]

@@3dFirefly I use You Tube videos and Linux-centric web sites and forums for my Linux learning and troubleshooting. Also, I live in an area with an active Linux users group. So, I'm lucky that way. But thanks to Zoom, anyone can join live sessions of some Linux users groups via the Internet.

[@samshort365]

Good advice. I have been using Linux for 24 years and I still look up commands. I changed from Windows, via BeOs, because I loved the freedom that came with Linux. I had started my computing experience on a Vax mainframe in 1981, so the operating system was somewhat familiar. Nevertheless, the Linux community was not that accepting of newbies at the time. For example, at Comdex 2006 my enthusiasm for the new Ubuntu release, complete with spinning cube desktops and video conferencing, was seen as an annoyance rather than a complement by the presenters. I think that has changed, but then again, I haven't asked for direct advice in decades. The solution to anything and everything is online somewhere, if you look hard enough. BTW, there is nothing I can't do on Linux that I can do on Windows, including video editing, pdf editing, zoom, teams, etc. I have even found a Firefox extension that reads aloud to me even in my native Australia accent!

[@learnwhispering]

Great Topic as many of us will face this as we move away from AI snooping windows 💕💕

[@STONE69_]

Don't wait to long, it takes time to get used to using a new OS, but totally worth it.

[@bumpymotors]

DaVinci Resolve 19 and DaVinci Resolve Studio 19 are avaliable now on Mac OS X, Linux, Windows x86 and Windows ARM operating systems.

[@l0I0I0I0]

Yes having issues switching to linux.

[@YadraVoat]

Such as?

[@lussor1]

With what

[@elone3997]

Well that was a cryptic comment...😉

[@l0I0I0I0]

Don't always get notifications but ty for asking. Lots of questions but the pressing one is can't get my pcie ssd to load or boot ubuntu using btrfs. It says its mointed but no way to get my usb ubuntu to load on that new drive which is a little over 2 tb particianed with a swop drive and a 50gb third partician for temp loading of files while swopping to another OS. Thanks guys.

[@robertprimak2407]

@@l0I0I0I0 I'm thinking that's a Grub (Boot Loader) issue. Those can be a bit difficult to deal with, as it interferes with getting the Linux to even boot. The drive may be mounting, but the file system is not being mounted correctly. So Linux never gets into the Root File System. That's as far as I can go in a You Tube comment.

[@ivorybow]

I'm just began Linux with distro Manjaro on a separate SSD, to learn. Everyone has advice about the best distro. Manjaro is either the best or the worst, depending on who you query. What I need are Creative SB Z and Nvidia graphics card drivers. When I can no longer run my system on Win 10, I have decided I will not now build a new PC that will run 11. Windows ran a scan without my permission and said my system is not compatible, and I must upgrade my hardware. A new mobo will likely have me purchasing a new Win license. Thank you for this very helpful video

[@l0I0I0I0]

Yes techs and developers ignored me when I was asking questions. Really iritating!

[@YadraVoat]

In what context?

[@l0I0I0I0]

@@YadraVoat discord mostly. 3 channels. One channel finally started helping once they felt I met the min competency.. general sense was your not in our circle.

[@treyquattro]

(we) techies love to keep knowledge secret - knowledge is power! - but as Linux gains popularity there are plenty of people out here who are helpful and more interested in having more people make the jump than protecting their little info fiefdom!

[@dave7244]

@@treyquattro No we don't. What are you on about? I do get annoyed when someone hasn't even done a basic web search of the problem though.

[@treyquattro]

@@dave7244 you're part of the problem.

[@1pcfred]

DaVinci Resolve runs on Linux. If it doesn't work it's due to missing libraries. You can just run ldd against the installer and it'll list the libraries you need. Make sure you have all of them and install the ones you're missing. I figured that out by running the installer through strace.

[@bastardferret869]

The real issue with an ext4 system, to me, is the fact that no other devices can see it either. Now THAT is annoying. I don't care if windows can't read ext4. I won't be using windows. But I may want to load music onto an sdcard so I can play it in my car. Now I'll have an issue with ext4. It's just something to keep in mind.

[@unAgorist]

non issue, nothing obliges you to format your pendrive / sdcard in ext4 & not in fat nfts or anythin else

[@hiru92]

just use fat32 or ntfs on usb flash drives

[@notjustforhackers4252]

So format your card to a supported file system! Type into your terminal "mkfs" and double tap the tab key to list file format options. ( Use "Gparted" if you want easy mode )

[@BobFromPineCreek]

Fat32 is generally more readable by most devices. Try that.

[@dansw0rkshop]

I think there is actually a windows driver for ext4 if you really need it. It's non-free as I recall, and I can't recall the name of it.

[@VulpisFoxfire]

One 'problem' I have with going from Windows to Linux, especially as a gamer, is making sure all the settings and such I need are transferred over, and reinstalling Linux versions of the games and apps I've been using, Less a 'problem' as such, and more something that takes a lot of effort, especially if you're low on extra storage space in the first place

[@Robert.Chauval]

I left winduhs behind in 1999 with Redhat 6.2.. never looked back. Then i ran my small business 100% on Fedora and eventually settling on a mix of Mint and Centos. I never not once had any issues with my staff operating linux desktop only. This from 2003..... the people/groups who were complaining the most including screaming loud and proud that Linux wasnt ready for the avg user were who?.... IT PROFFESSIONALS!!!!!!!. they were the ones who were going to lose their lucrative income streams from winduhs support contracts..

[@rsquaremedia-innovationlab]

most common problem with linux mint is not recognizing wifi networks. Antix linux doesnt recognize audio drivers after fresh installs. touch doesnt work. bluetooth almost always never works with my lenovo or acer hardware.

[@spirit_wolf123]

You can run but you cannot hide for long....😂😂 You say ext4 cannot be viewed by windows yet if you're dual booting and boot into Windows we can remotely Mount your ext4 drive and view all Linux files.. just imagine how much easier it has been made with AI OS interface...

[@robertprimak2407]

AI has nothing to do with mounting a file system. It only requires a driver. I share NTFS partitions between Windows and Linux all the time. I don not live in fear or obscurity.

[@daviddunmore8415]

My Win7 AMD Lenovo laptop is perfectly happy running Debian 12, as are our 2 AMD desktops, and my little HP Pavilion 10X2 runs Bodhi (with touch screen fully functional) . We've been Microsoft free for many years now.

[@torpezno]

I've spent most of my professional career in IT companies and I'm currently a 100% Windows user, despite the constant effort required to protect my PC/data/privacy from that infamous OS. If I put myself in the shoes of a non-IT person, the whole set of comments in this video (abundant IT vocabulary, lots of acronyms, very technical comments, etc.) sends a very clear message: Linux is the best, if you're an IT person. If not, don't come to Linux: you won't understand it, you won't like it, you'll go back to Windows.

[@joeschmoe7324]

Dude I Rage Quit windows at xpwga fiasco. I use my pc for gaming but I won't be punked by microsoft.

[@KAZVorpal]

VERY LITTLE has to be done from the command line in Linux. YOU may be used to doing all those things from the command line, as am I... But the typical user can do almost all of it from the GUI, just like in Windows. Every thing you mentioned, copying/deleting files, installing software, all that kind of thing can be done from the GUI without the command line.

[@robbraxmantech]

Not true. I can name so many that can only be done on a command line and would be basic on Windows. Future video

[@notjustforhackers4252]

@@robbraxmantech Can we get a few examples of when you absolutely need the command line please, I'm curious.

[@KAZVorpal]

@@notjustforhackers4252 I'd like to know, too. I have the problem (so to speak) that I already know the command line for most things I want to do, settings-wise. I'm curious as to what cannot. The few times I bother to look for a GUI setting, it's there. And I'm using Arch Linux (albeit with Xorg/KDE Plasma).

[@youandican2]

@@robbraxmantech - and yet you didn't even mention a one to support your claim.

[@robertprimak2407]

@@robbraxmantech "I can name so many that can only be done on a command line and would be basic on Windows. " While you are correct, this doesn't mean Windows is easier to use. If people who use Windows had Terminal options for much of what they now do in the many, many layers of GUI panes, they could be much more efficient and less frustrated end-users. And Microsoft couldn't throw people into fits just by moving a setting into a different location.

[@magister.mortran]

Well, Linux isn't that easy as it is described here. There are lots of hardware problems (My WiFi is significantly slower on Linux compared with Windows) and the GUI (any of them) don't work as smooth as Windows. They might even hang or crash occasionally. I think we need a little more honesty towards beginners who want to switch o Linux. Anyway Windows 11 or future versions are no options any more. Windows itself has more and more turned into malware. But there is a third option for people who are no hardcore computer experts. It is using an older version of Windows. If you can run Windows 7 on your hardware and you are scared of Linux terminals, then this should be the way to go. The biggest advantage of older Windows versions is that Microsoft doesn't support them anymore, so they leave your PC in peace. No updates, no removal of features, no messing with your settings. Add an older version of MS Office to it (not higher than Office 2003), and you have a perfect system that can do anything you want in a way that you are familiar with. And you are safe from any malicious intentions by Microsoft.

[@funnyberries4017]

Did you try Ubuntu?

[@TheYehat]

Sorry if my reply hurts some feelings, but definitions like "easy" are quite vague and definitely subjective. What is not "that easy", from what perspective? I can understand if we talk about an appliance that is set for certain functionality and one can judge how easy or not it is to use it. However general OS cannot be "easily" judged. My kids encounter computers first through some Linux distro. I know firsthand that when they face Windows or MacOS, they have difficulties. Does that speaks something? Additionally, even people who find it "easy" to work on Windows, its all gone when there comes an issue, and one doesn't have to wait long for that. On Linux troubleshooting is much more logical, countless places exist when normal people will help, too. Smoothness of the UI (or the crashing), I can't agree too, unless one stays on the cutting edge of some developments. The bottom line, and the most important one is that the hardest thing for the people is to change their habits. Changing the OS is a significant change without doubt. But as there's not an easy or pleasant way to get out of the illness, one just must do and then will realize how good is to be healthy (physically, mentally and technologically). The freedom is great, but it doesn't come without effort.

[@Truth_Teller_101]

I'm afraid that's not how things will play out. Windows 7 is no longer supported, and what that means is everything will stop working with it-->everything. Your web browsers will stop working, and pages will either load incorrectly or not load at all (web browser companies will no longer update software for Windows 7). Anything that requires the newest DirectX won't work. Even your drivers won't work (if, say, your wireless keyboard dies and you need to buy a new one, you won't be able to find one that works with Windows 7 etc.). As of right now you can probably get by as long as you don't play games released within the last couple of years, or use new video or audio editing software. You can still probably buy old hardware (like mice and keyboards, printers etc.) in thrift stores that will still work. But make no mistake: eventually your Windows 7 machine will be nothing more than a brick. This is called "planned obsolescence", and it's what happens when corporations are allowed to have that thing which is the name of a famous board game.

[@JayJr.]

Linux Mint is a good choice for new users, and it is based on Ubuntu, except for Linux Mint LMDE, which is based on Debian. Three of four of our home machines are running Linux Mint LMDE, except for one. Our kid never used Windows; in fact, the last Lenovo laptop she purchased for University never booted Windows 11 as I installed Linux Mint LMDE right out of the box. :)

[@jamesowens7148]

Ubuntu UI is crap. Just use Mint or MATE

[@James-dt7ky]

Why is Ubuntu crap? I'm a newbie and just got a machine with Ubuntu installed to avoid using Windows. Thanks in advance.

[@jamesowens7148]

@@James-dt7ky the GUI is not intuitive at all! All other desktop environments make more sense. Try ubuntu flavours with different DE's like Xubuntu and see.

[@personanongratis]

I agree, it's not even Ubuntu's fault, it's that damn Gnome Desktop that is limited!Whatever to each their own!

[@hiru92]

​@@James-dt7ky try kubuntu, but i prefer gnome because it is more stable than buggy kde desktop, for wayland support

[@James-dt7ky]

@@jamesowens7148 Noted. I will mention this to my IT friend and see what can be done. Thanks.

[@OceanusHelios]

9:54 "Unless you are doing something like Book Formatting..." Well, there is LaTeX which is a computer language written for typesetting actual printed books. It has a number of F.O.S.S. applications available in order to do a nicer job than any word processor could and make beautiful text and photo formats for writing books. There is a learning curve because it involves encoding for the typesetting but the results are par-none and professional. Since, well, that's how professional book publishers do it. And they have been doing it that way since the 1980's.

[@laneromel5667]

On Windows things just work, been years since I have had to hack the registry. On Linux it takes hours of screwing around to get video, sound, and multiple monitors to work. For me Gnome is somebody's idea of a bad joke, not usable without installing gnome extensions, most of them after a period of time are unsupported. Yes Linux has gotten better over the last 10 years, but that is coming from an OS that had a GUI only its developer could love. There are valid reasons why Linux is dead on the desktop.

[@hillbilly_logic3177]

just upgraded to linux mint 22 wilma and it has fixed a lot of things but i was most excited about having audio through hdmi now and my gamepad works, headset works, and path of exile on steam runs better than it did on windows 10 ....you just have to watch some youtube and change some settings and type a couple commands and you wont even notice a difference when running games or watching movies and thats what 90 percent of the people at home are doing on them anyway they even have copy and paste commands for fixes after you upgrade so if something doesnt work you can fix it yourself in minutes

[@patrickprafke4894]

My experience so far with Linux in the last 15+ years. 1. What one of the nearly 1,000 to pick. 2. You will always run into software that isn't happy with something. You will spend days in forums never getting an answer. 3. By the time you do get an answer. You'll either find out its outdated info or from a slightly different distro and both now dont work. 4. Forums will always have a good 3rd. plus that will think of you are the dumbest of the dumb for not being a computer science expert with 30+ years of coding. 5. No gui will work forever. You will very shortly be doing literally everything from command line. So get a notepad ready and take lots of notes. Command line text or locations of things. 6. Get very comfortable with clicking on things and them not working. Very comfortable. 7. Eventually you will be doing everything from command line. I cant express irritating it is after a long day of work. I now have to come home and go back to work. 8. Command line 9. Command line. 10. Did I mention you'll be typing every single thing out to get it to just GO!!

[@uribak9144]

Amazing so true, it happened to me too and I told people they told me you are the only one who hates Linux. Add to your list a section that there is always software that works well with a certain distribution of Linux, another frustrating thing.

[@robertprimak2407]

I have only had persistent issues with two of your ten complaint areas. It can be frustrating trying to get an answer to some more obscure issues which only affect a few Linux users. And some forum advice can be difficult to follow. Your complaint that you need to do everything from the Command Line is pure nonsense. The other complaint areas have not affected me. I have been using Linux since 2006. If you aren't always distro-hopping, it makes no difference that a piece of Linux software which is working in your distro won't work in some other distro.

[@patrickprafke4894]

Well. I'm glad your experience is that. Mine never has been. And the command line being nonsense isn't nonsense. That has been my experience since about 2008 with it. Work a 16 hour shift to come home and for some reason today is the day nothing works. Again. So, check the notepad and type everything out just to launch a game. BTW. The need to come in here and tell me how my experience is wrong is exactly what kills the whole linux thing for so many people. So, thanks for proving a point for me.

[@robertprimak2407]

​@@patrickprafke4894You said everything has to be done from the Command Line. That is totally false. Then you whine about being told you are posting nonsense.

[@synchro505]

Excellent exploration into the world of Linux and potential pitfalls. It's also great how Linux can breathe new life into older hardware and make them useful for simple browsing, word processing, etc.

[@GG-fi4ye]

Linux will never become mainstream if 1. all devices dont work out of the box plug and play. 2. You have to use terminal for anything. Yes, having things hidden under 100 menus is BETTER than using commandline because it is more appealing to a regular user. Graphics is more understandable to regular user than text. This is something that linux users refuse to understand.

[@XxXG-cd3dh]

Thanks for what you do Rob, I take pretty much all your advice, degoogled phones and Linux etc

[@bastardferret869]

I hate the elitist attitude you describe. I'm a programmer, and I'm certainly not the world's best, smooth brained maybe, but only slightly so. The very LAST thing I ever wanted or asked for in life was to have to dig through the BLUEZ source code to see what's going wrong. What a nightmare. "I use arch, by the way." Hahahaha

[@robbraxmantech]

LOL. We were looking at the same thing!

[@LionRoars918]

I went to Linux today but will use both for now via dual boot. It's a work in progress.

[@ernies8828]

This is one reason why Bill Gates, as much as we dislike him, especially now, was very smart with Windows, even as it progressed. Linux was never going to win, because it required more coding with the terminal, more knowledge that is outside of most consumers, and the fact Linux was not going to be universally accepted and used across the board. I still stay with Windows 10 Pro, and will use patch0 in October 2025. I hate artificial intelligence and how that's being pushed. I still don't feel like going to Linux for obvious reasons. Too many distros, codes, less support, and GUI like Windows, and not near easy and transparent. Sorry.

[@dwightsmith5174]

Exactly! When I was younger in the late 80s up till about 2005, I didn't mind getting down & dirty with the OS. Did it a lot! Other than Windows (or a Rotten Apple), I now see how much time can be wasted having to 'Tweek the system' to get it working are straight forward as a plain Windows install. Yes, I detest MS and all its BS!!! MS constantly 'fixing' that which is not broken - don't get me started. I've tried Linux several times - it leaves me wanting! Not to mention the programs that have no Linux equivalent. Then to tweak all my 14 computers to run Linux so that maybe 85% of the hardware is supported and living with that which is not supported. Windows supports almost everything out of the box. What it doesn't almost always will be fixed with Windows update. I even have an Asus Eee PC running Win 10, slowly, but it does run. Tried Linux on that, it ran, but not any faster. So, Linux being faster on older hardware is spotty at best.

[@ernies8828]

@-T--T- - I wish I could my friend, but Linux is not an option for me, and most people

[@ernies8828]

@@dwightsmith5174-good post, and I agree

[@ettoreatalan8303]

@@dwightsmith5174 Windows is aimed at the average user who doesn't give a damn about privacy, drivers, file systems, window managers, desktop environments, etc. and just wants his or her familiar programs to run on the PC. Google did the same with Android as Microsoft did with Windows and Apple did with macOS/iOS. For many nerds, it is incomprehensible that the average user only wants to use programs and has no interest at all in computer technology.

[@warrenvanwyck2765]

So this decision mostly depends of the 'Use Case', how computer savvy the user is, and how much time that person has for installs, updates, configuration changes, research, etc. My use case of three monitors with varying DPI and six or more windows typically open (which I want opened in the same position with the same size every time) is a challenge in my experience. I'm still searching for a satisfactory Linux solution. Windows 10 Pro handles this fine.

[@DavePease-f4e]

Great timing and a great video. Thanks!!! Usft has me pissed to the point of investigating migrating our Windows shop to Linux. The rumor that Windows 12 may involve subscriptions was the last straw. The biggest hurdle is migrating our 3 person Ops team from Vegas pro (Windows only) to Kdenlive, which seems to be the best alternative as it runs on both Windows and Linux so a careful migration/training plan is possible. I looked into Davinci Resolve on Linux, but quickly realized that DR just doesn't play well with Linux.