So im a noob as some say, theirs certain games and software i use on windows that wont work on linux. ive tried linux but i found myself switching back to windows. I really do want to stay with linux but im not sure how or if i should duel boot or something? also what flavor of line do you enjoy or would suggest?
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check out winboat, bottles
I use FOSS even when I used to use Windows. So the programs I use and format I use were ready for me to switch. If for some reason you rely on a proprietary or Windows-only software you may have to make the effort to migrate, readjust and learn a new set of software to to do your work.
If you want something you don’t have to fuss over, that’s very stable (but also gets frequent updates), and “just works” with most games? Bazzite is your answer.
if you dual boot, something that helped my transition was intentionally adding friction where I wanted to try something new. For example, set your default boot OS to your Linux distro, that way you have to make the choice to intentionally select Windows every time you need it
What games can’t you play on linux? Some apps can’t be run natively in linux, but use an emulation for them. That will work…
Can you name the programs to get a better idea of the context?
The ideal thing to me is if you have your last pc. You throw linux on that (I recommend zorin) and you have it available alonw with your newer windows machine. In most cases I believe the linux machine will perform better. Move as much as you can to it until you have whatever little things you still need windows for. Ideally you realize you need windows for so little that you flip the script and change your newer machine to linux and windows as your backup or you put linux on your next machine and the older windows machine sticks around.
a few tips for you:
- try open source software in windows too, like libreoffice, inkscape, etc, depending on your needs. It will help the transition to be easier
- if you have a spare machine, try linux on that instead of dual booting, because windows tend to mess with the bootloader in dual boot
- don’t be harsh on yourself. It’s normal to have difficulty to adapt to things. You can do that in steps as small as you feel comfortable with
- try distros like linux mint, because they tend to be easier for new users
- experiment wine or winboat for software you need from windows, if there aren’t alternatives
I agree with all of this except maybe the wine suggestion. Wine on its own, imo, is too complicated for new linux users.
I would instead recommend looking at lutris (yes I know it is mostly games but it does have some software too) or bottles. Since these abstract away the manual management of wine prefixes.
Makes sense. Do you know a more user-friendly alternative? Maybe something like bottles?
I think bottles is the simplest that still lets you configure things. You can also do the trick with steam where you add the exe as a non-steam game.
First step is to figure out if you have hard requirements i.e. specific software that you rely on your studies or work and cannot be replaced.
If there is no such requirements, or your requirements have Linux versions, best thing to do is do the jump and accept the struggle until you figure out the new way of working. A lot of games run fantastic. Heroic Launcher for GoG and Epic games, Steam for Steam.
You need to edit a video, just search for “Linux video editor”, same for whatever task you want to achieve.
you gotta get used to it, get over the frustration of having a system work completely differently than you are used to.
people spent 30 years learning windows, which is why windows frustrations are invisible.
I think you should first figure out why you aren’t sticking with Linux and go from there.
I just use kubuntu at this point. It works as well as works and feels how I want it to. I don’t need anything super fancy or customizable. Kubuntu hits that sweet spot for me.
It’s very simple.
You simply switch your apps too, not just the OS. Everyone thinks that they can switch the OS 1:1, but it’s not like that. You will never be happy if you expect the same apps on all the OSes. Instead of photoshop, you use Gimp. Instead of Illustrator, you use Inkscape. Instead of resolve/premiere, you use kdenlive. And so on. You will have to invest some time to relearn not just the OS, but the apps too.
I’ve been running only Linux for 25 years. Any software you think you need that you only can get on Windows you don’t. Drop windows, say goodbye to your apps, and explore the alternatives. Try to have fun. A growth mindset helps
Download, install, use
I just put my friends 80+ year old parents on Linux Mint with no issues so far. you can do it!! … why are you switching back ?
