TheFANUM

The biggest change from the Windows world will be the different interfaces to choose from. While they’re one of the best features of Linux, the number of choices and strong opinions on the matter can be overwhelming to new users. And everyone in the community is certain that theirs is the best. Don’t stress out about picking the “right” one. You can always change it later (especially if you choose something Ubuntu based). Pick one that has a large user base, good community, and excellent documentation. My recommendation would be Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

Linux comes in many different flavors, or “Distributions”. Often shortened to “Distros”. The most obvious difference between Distros is the interface (or “Desktop Environment” or “DE”). It’s not the only thing that sets them apart, but it’s the most noticeable.

I would recommend Ubuntu or any one of it’s variants. The best variants (in my opinion) are Linux mint and Linux Lite. Linux Lite having the most “Windows like” interface. Linux Lite also has additional tools to install common programs that Windows users are accustomed to. Ones that don’t come with other Distros by default.

Until recently Ubuntu used an interface called “Unity”. As of the last couple of releases, they have switched to Gnome. However, they’ve made gnome look a lot like Unity, so you should be able to follow instructions you find on the internet without too much trouble.

Gnome has a ton of customizations available via the “Gnome extensions” website. If you’re willing to relearn how to interact with your computer’s interface, it’s a good fit for someone who wants customization.

Here’s a good article with the basics of getting up and running with Ubuntu.

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/migrating-from-windows-7-to-ubuntu/

Here’s Ubuntu’s website for downloading and documentation:

https://www.ubuntu.com/desktop

The official “Getting starting” guide:

https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/try-ubuntu-before-you-install#0

Here’s the list of official Ubuntu Distributions:

https://www.ubuntu.com/download/flavours

Here’s a great article explaining the difference between the official Ubuntu Distribution (written by an awesome Redditor Killyourfm):

“Forbes: Linux For Beginners: Understanding The Many Versions Of Ubuntu”: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2018/11/28/linux-for-beginners-understanding-the-many-versions-of-ubuntu/

Here’s the official install guide:

https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/tutorial-install-ubuntu-desktop#0

An install guide for Dual Booting:

http://linuxiumcomau.blogspot.com/2018/04/installing-ubuntu-along-side-windows-ie.html?m=1

And here’s Linux Lite’s official page:

https://www.linuxliteos.com/

Gnome extensions:

https://extensions.gnome.org/

Seems reasonable. I’m a lifetime Plex pass holder, so it won’t affect me or the one person I let access my server lol

Finally upgrading my Plex server from Ubuntu 22.04 to 24.04! I’ve been putting it off out of habit, as I always wait for the *.1 releases but I’ve done several of these for clients and every single one went flawlessly. But I still waited it out.

Also thinking about switching my Ext4 mirrored softRAID to ZFS… Since Ubuntu has the only acceptable ZFS implementation outside of UNIX proper (Ubuntu’s is in-kernel, everyone else uses kernel modules, which i hate). But that’s going to be extra work I may not be in the mood for. But damn would compression and deduplication be nice! So still maybe

No. And that’s a bad plan. Uncompressed them, and then reencode them to h256/x265 with handbrake (use the SuperHQ 1080p setting). That’s as compressed as they’ll get and you can still watch them without having to unzip them first

Billy?

YES.

Great and open source? Get a real problem

Nextcloud is the improvement.

Tech bro

Started company, hired myself, hired others to replace myself, retired in my 30’s (I’m not rich, I just don’t have to work much or at all if I don’t want to).

They’re complicit. They are bought by the same billionaires as the Republicans. As long as you can purchase a politician, we have no functional democracy

You and me both buddy

Bullshit

It’s a bug. They’re aware and working on it

We’re arrogant. Hope that helps

No. It’s the right thing to do

Don’t bother asking for help without including the EXACT command you ran and the EXACT error you received.

GB Mario 2 in full color

Tell him to take off his socks and bandana and join the party!

Yea, but what’s the ROI? How do we profit? Who’s getting hurt in the process?

Because if it’s not hurting people, what’s the point

/s