Going Over To Linux, Maybe

[Traitor4000]

So i have been using Windows ever since i started using computers. However the moe i read about Linux the more it seems like using Windows is like handcoffing yourself. Linux seems much more custimizable. However I am weary aout the fact that I a quite te bginner in Linux. So I am loooking for a good beginners OS. From what I have read Mint seams like ye choice for me. Eventually I want to work up to Arch but thatis a long way away.

[techb]

Arch really isn't that bad. You can even skip a lot of the install using something like ArchBang.

Mint is alright too, like Ubuntu and a lot of clones it's Debian based. Really it just depends on what you wanna get out of it I guess.

[vezzy]

Be sure to try some flavor of BSD, as well. Linux is fine and all, but the majority of distributions have been heading to a rather questionable slope as of late.

BSD is pretty elegant in its simplicity and will also give you some insight into the works of pre-System V UNIX.

[lucid]

Eventually I want to work up to Arch but thatis a long way away.

Doesn't have to be. I started using Arch after only trying out Ubuntu for the first time for maybe a month or two.

But, if you are wary then try Debian Mint or something. Just don't even bother going to Ubuntu. Ubuntu is not linux anymore...

[kenjoe41]

That just did it. If he is coming to debian, then i got a brother.
What you are searching fr isn't in these answers, just try every flavor name you here till you find your passion. That is the way to go but don't even think about Ubuntu or you are gonna be stuck in that comfort-good-for-nothing zone.

[ftb]

That is the way to go but don't even think about Ubuntu or you are gonna be stuck in that comfort-good-for-nothing zone.

Whats wrong with Ubuntu? I was gonna use it as my 'crossover', so just asking

[lucid]

Whats wrong with Ubuntu? I was gonna use it as my 'crossover', so just asking

Well, the last Ubuntu I've ever used was Ubuntu 12.04(Precise Pangolin) and besides the fact that the interface is funky and gay, I just don't like it because it's slow, crashes randomly, it looks like a fucking cellphone, and it's just too "user friendly".

To be honest, if I had to boil it down to one tiny instance or fact, I would choose Ubuntu's error messages. What happens in a regular *nix when somethings fails, or goes wrong, or you do something wrong? It usually gives you a verbose error message that you can't really understand unless if you have *nix experience. Ubuntu on the other hand, it just gives you a pop-up box telling you that an unexpected error has occurred. No information or anything like that. Sounds a bit like Windows doesn't it?

Now which would you rather have:

- An error that you might not understand, but, if you take a little time to research, you can fix the problem.

OR

- A very friendly and human-readable error message, but, there is absolutely no information given on what you might be able to look into to fix it and you find yourself clicking the troubleshoot button which then tells you that a cable is unplugged which you then check and realize that you were never actually using cables and it's all wireless so you then download some "user friendly" programs that promise to fix the error which then tell you to register so then you do and then you end up spending $29.95 when you should have just downloaded a better OS.

EDIT: This in no way is a reflection on older Ubuntu's such as 10.04. Ubuntu wasn't always a complete piece of poopie 

[hanorotu]

I've always loved fedora. i think 17 was the last version i used. you should look it up and give it a try

[Traitor4000]

Thaks for all the responses i think ill try mint or fedora fist and then when im comfrtable move to Arch i just like being able to add only the things you want on Arch.

[Stackprotector]

Mhm, you should just get comfortable with the file system commands. Like cd, mkdir, chmod etc. Then you can go to arch, infact... i have more pain on installing and customizing a distro like debian than i have with arch. You can just copy all the commands from the https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beginners'_Guide and you will be a linux geek no-time

[proxx]

So i have been using Windows ever since i started using computers. However the moe i read about Linux the more it seems like using Windows is like handcoffing yourself. Linux seems much more custimizable. However I am weary aout the fact that I a quite te bginner in Linux. So I am loooking for a good beginners OS. From what I have read Mint seams like ye choice for me. Eventually I want to work up to Arch but thatis a long way away.

Being a beginner is fine.
When I suddenly got the weird idea of booting a linux distro I had absolutely no clue what I was doing.
I knew noone remotely close to me who I could ask for help , didnt know about the community/documentation etc.
I broke a lot of shit, hated it , kicked it, working 2 hours on one fucking typo in a config file (what the hell did I know)
Than I learned to shape it , use it , let it work for me.
Found out that somethings can be so easy once you get the control back su.

[chapp]

Well, the last Ubuntu I've ever used was Ubuntu 12.04(Precise Pangolin) and besides the fact that the interface is funky and gay, I just don't like it because it's slow, crashes randomly, it looks like a fucking cellphone, and it's just too "user friendly".

Ubuntu is a great Linux distro. I do agree that their default choice of UI is bad, but I would remove any user interface anyway and just run Xmonad.


If you experience crashes I'd go take a look at kernel messages and see what courses the crashes.

[WirelessDesert]

I'm currently using Ubuntu 12.11 and Windows 7.
I've modified Ubuntu by for example changing the shell, removing certain things (Pulse audio for example...), and added certain things (gnome3 shell, and a lot more small things).


However, I'm thinking to switch to an arch enviroment, as ubuntu crashes too much for me now, and it takes much space too.


I'm keeping Windows for some obvious reasons, the reason almost every linux guy keeps Windows, to play games. However, some game companies have finally found the power of OpenGL, so hopefully I will be able to get rid of Windows 7.


Much love.