best linux

Discussion in 'Technical' started by OldDude49, Oct 13, 2025.


  1. Idahoser

    Idahoser Monkey+++ Founding Member

    I've been using Mint for a few years but I still keep a Windows box. Linux people will be happy to tell you that it's just as good but when you get to the first need for a command line, that argument loses meaning.
     
    VisuTrac likes this.
  2. VisuTrac

    VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

    sudo is your friend. And my linux installation has a short cut on the desktop to the terminal ;)
     
    Idahoser likes this.
  3. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

  4. VisuTrac

    VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

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  5. Idahoser

    Idahoser Monkey+++ Founding Member

    you're not helping your argument :)
     
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  6. VisuTrac

    VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

    True. But truth be told. I've got the command prompt shortcut on windows as well.
     
  7. kissmybrass

    kissmybrass brass monkey Site Supporter+++

    lxle linux made me use the command line alot,,,, kinda a good way to learn.
    cool gun mat.
     
  8. 3M-TA3

    3M-TA3 Cold Wet Monkey

    Another happy Mint user here. For 99% of how you are likely to use it it's as simple as Windows without all the bloat. I've been able to run all my important Windows apps using WINE. I don't game, so I could care less about Steam, etc.. I have had to do a few command line things like setting up a USB based serial connection to talk directly to my network switches and router as a backup, but there is always help and examples when you need to do that.

    I do keep Windows 10/11 for a few specialized things. I use Blue Iris as my NVR and an Intel based Windows system is mandatory. I use Windows Server since it lacks all the bloatware found in other versions and allows features like network teaming. My media servers use it solely because I use JRiver Media Center, and while it runs on Windows, MAC, and Linux, the Windows WSAPI give the best sound quality.
     
  9. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

  10. kckndrgn

    kckndrgn Monkey+++ Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

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  11. VisuTrac

    VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

    Not a fan of pre-installed Linux.
    What I have done is looked for a renewed/refurbished laptop that had an i5 or higher CPU, at least 24 Gb RAM and 512GB ssd drive and windows OS. I just repave the machine (wipe out and replace with Linux).

    I've had the best luck with Linux on Lenovo (3 of them at the moment), HP (2 in the past), then Acer/Asus one of each.

    I'm betting you are paying more just because it has Linux installed.

    EDIT: Yes you are
    Amazon.com: ASUS Daily Vivobook Laptop, 14" FHD Display, Intel Core i3-1215U, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Wi-Fi 6, HDMI, Webcam, Touchpad, Windows 11 Home, Blue : Electronics
     
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  12. kissmybrass

    kissmybrass brass monkey Site Supporter+++

  13. Idahoser

    Idahoser Monkey+++ Founding Member

    I would not spend a dime until you get an old computer set up with a free download and at least look around, see if it's even something you want to do.

    No seriously - you can operate a Windows computer without knowing how to get to a command line, but you cannot operate any Linux computer with that level of disinterest. You will HAVE to learn new stuff to use it. If creating the media to install a live distro is beyond your desire to figure out, then you will not have success with Linux.

    Plus, you'd be in territory most of us are unfamiliar with - nobody buys Linux computers, we use old ones that don't handle Windows anymore.
     
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2025
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  14. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    So true. And in case anybody is wondering, I usually install a flavor of Linux Mint in recent years and never updating it at all. Yes, this will eventually make it troublesome if you ever want to upgrade...so you can also just update regularly like a normal person, too.

    And if it makes you feel better, those who haven't tried Linux yet...just try Mint or Ubuntu and get a feel for it. You can probably go quite a long time without worrying about using the console for commands since the latest upgrades to the latest OS pretty much makes it as simple as Windows in the sense that it has a full integrated update/patch utility and system monitoring. I think the only time you will really need to get into commands is if you download a ton of software and run into conflicts with installed dependencies...or in other words, a conflict with "code" which tells the software what to do because many programs share the same "code". Just backup and run a snapshot before you install a bunch of new software. The latest Mint release has a full suite installed that will backup your entire Home directory, all you do is choose the time and the location. You also have system "snapshots", allowing for quick and easy system restore. You can either download and make your own bootable media free, or buy a preloaded USB drive and install it on any device you choose.

    Here's how easy Mint 22.2 really is right now:
    111.

    When you log in, unless you uncheck the box at the bottom of the window, this will always display at startup. You can choose "first steps" and choose how to set up your computer.
    112.

    It's all pretty self explanatory, easy to use, and very stable. You won't be getting any system crashes unless you are installing every application through the software manager and failing to do a snapshot or backup.

    113.

    I don't think there's time enough to go through all the software freely available.
     
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  15. VisuTrac

    VisuTrac Ваша мать носит военные ботинки Site Supporter+++

    And the OS install process for Linux takes in some cases minutes vs hours for windows.
    Ditto if you update regularly. Sometimes those are like 30 seconds. and reboot requirements are very rare rare rare.
    The only pain in the butt i've run across so far is printers and scanners and sometimes better if the device is shared across the network vs attached to the computer. Just my two cents.

    But Brokor is right Linux Mint is dead simple.
     
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  16. aardbewoner

    aardbewoner judge a human on how he act,not on look and talk.

    Yes printers and scanners can be a big problem,remember that the factory do that on purpose.So check SANE: Supported Devices If its supported. It becoming harder and harder to install any other OS on a windows or chrome machine,and even if you can the serial numbers and more stay in the bios.
     
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  17. kissmybrass

    kissmybrass brass monkey Site Supporter+++

    2 mint updates ago my printer decided to only print a 2"x 4" image. i dicked around a long time before rolling back to a previous version with timeshift. annoying but still 10x better then win. if i get another printer il make sure its supported. thanks.
     
    CraftyMofo likes this.
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