Step into Linux without Becoming Marooned

Part 1: I briefly discuss the planning needed before starting the process of choosing a Linux Distro, picking a Desktop Environment, and what applications you need from Windows 10, or what apps need a Linux app which is close to the functionality of the Windows 10 apps

AI Image: I don't think I have to say this one is an AI image, the number of toes is a dead giveaway.
Chapters
00:00 - Intro
02:12 - Outline for Moving to Linux
03:13 - Linux Distros
04:49 - Which Desktop Environment?
06:18 - Windows Managers
07:06 - List of Windows Apps you use
08:43 - Personal Data
09:14 - Backup Strategies
09:18 - Trouble Shooting Guide for Linux
10:27 - Recap
13:29 - Wrapup
14:15 - Credits

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[tonywise]

To anyone who is doubtful, I switched fully 2 years ago and I'm 77 years old. It can be done. Take heed of DJs advice, and just take your time, back up your data and DON't dump Windows until you are totally confident. As DJ says, you have 18 months. It is NOT as daunting as some would like you to believe.

[esra_erimez]

My dad is a developer from SunOS days and when I was a kid I wanted to do that too even though I had no idea what it was. He gave me a used Dell laptop with KDE on it to shut me up. It was fascinating to me and I got lost in it. It was like a magical land to explore, not because it was Linux but because it was accessible to me. Linux has come a long way and now even my mom uses Linux for email, YouTube and her online games.

[kwon-illee]

I'm pro windows software developer, switched home desktop to ubuntu 5 years ago and still using it.
it's really pleasure to use and learn linux environment as software developer. 🙂

[garthrichert]

We are so thankful that you are taking the time to help us in this way. Bless you.

[peterschmidt]

After trying Linux on and off for 20yrs, the Linux desktop has really come unto it's own in the last few years and is now extremely usable. I predominantly moved over to Linux a few years back, but still dual boot as I need Windows for a couple of things on occasions.

Personally, I think it's more important to pick a desktop environment you're going to be comfortable with. Don't worry too much about the actual distro, just find one that has a version of the desktop environment you're comfortable with. A lot of distros are all fairly similar underneath.

[thyroid]

Old pc game dev guy that has only dipped into linux briefly. Thanks very much for this series. Definitely needed for the upcoming windows 11 drop.

[rjmschilt]

Thanks DJ great prez. I first started using Linux around 20 years ago, mainly for server and appliance needs. It is only very recent that I moved all my own devices such as desktop and laptop away from Windows to a Linux platform. To be honest I've had it with big tech, as far as I'm concerned they have become part of the dysfunction in our modern world - from liberators to enslavers within a generation. I guard my online privacy very closely and this drove my personal move to a Linux environment. Interestingly, since my move to full-time Linux I'm feeling a new sense of freedom.

[GUNMETALGUYUSA]

Been interested in this switch. Thank you for the video 🤠👍🏽💯

[carpetbomberz]

Love the checklist, ask the questions, answer the questions, and start to narrow the choices. Just keep moving forward.

[eugenesmirnov]

Spent last 10 years moving users to Linux. It's a ungrateful job.

[admiral_hoshi]

There are quizes online which may be quite useful for anyone looking to make the switch if they are having trouble picking which distro to use.

[philford]

I have been FT Linux for a 3.5 years now. I started that transition almost 24 months prior to that and would go back and forth before being fully comfortable to make the FT move in late 2020.

[thesecretreviewer]

man, i wish i found your channel long ago. I really like your style

[macinman]

Hi DJ, I found your content / channel while looking for Linux related videos. I am in a situation not mentioned in this video. I'm considering Linux as an alternative to macOS (which is already Unix) My iMac will be officially unsupported by Apple at the end of this year as the latest supported version will be EOL So, I am happy to report they fixed the issues I was having in Ubuntu 22.04 in 24.0.4 I am also happy to report that I have found at least 90% of my alternatives in Linux to Mac native apps. I had started using more and more open source stuff in the Mac OS to make switching easier. There are a few things such as text message forwarding from my phone that only work in macOS but that's not Linux' fault. Beyond that I'm using Ubuntu Cinnamon right now as the daily driver re-familiarizing myself to Linux as the daily OS. My plan for now is to run Linux from an external drive, and keep macOS on the internal drive for stuff I can't do in Linux so I have both worlds, at least for a while. Love the content. Have a great day!

[davey]

A couple of things helped me when I migrated to Linux a two of years ago. First, I got my feet wet by trying a few user-friendly distros on on old netbook that I didn't depend on, and used that machine for a few months to get familiar with the file system, setting permissions, installing and updating packages, using Wine, setting up Samba shares, and the like. Second, while still running Windows on the machine that I use day to day, I used apps that are supported by both Windows and Linux like Firefox, Thunderbird, Libre Office, and a couple of more specialized packages. When I did convert to Linux for everyday use, I was dealing with familiar apps (and in most cases could import my configs from the Windows versions) and was able to be productive almost immediately.

[Raxyz_]

Huge thank you for this! I wanted to make the leap for quite a while now (really disappointment with how much in IT has devolved into data collection and shoving ads everywhere), but most Linux users' mentality of DIY and RTFM makes the switch sound daunting.

[setoman]

I switched from Windows to Qubes cold turkey and never regretted anything.

[JAC]

Been watching the channel for a while. This is the sort of series that I could have used several months ago. Apple said my hardware was no longer good enough for them, so I began to look for alternatives. Ended up patching the system with OpenCore Legacy Patcher, but the writing is on the wall. I still have one Mac app that I need to be able to use. In the meantime, I’m trying out (way-too-many) distros of various sorts. Currently, I 4-boot MacOS Sonoma, Fedora 39, Ubuntu 23.10, and Linux Mint 21.3. Once they’re out of beta, I’ll look at the new Fedora and Ubuntu, and decide on one. That will simplify things considerably.

[INE]

I tried Ubuntu back in 2012, worked well for me then. Trying to move back to Ubuntu now, but there are a lot of things that prevent me from being able to fully switch (hardware compatibility and program support). But Dual booting for those minor cases where no solution exists has been well enough.
Sending this video to someone else that is thinking of moving from windows so both of us can learn more.

[Raftzard]

Thank you so very much for this video. I am a newcomer to linux shores and I was feeling overwhelmed with choices, which is good at first but then you get trapped in the choice loop. A very informative video!