this post was submitted on 25 Jan 2022
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Need reccomendations for distro. Old laptop from like '10 (shipped with windows 8, not even 8.1), touchscreen needed so no Mint unfortunately. No linux experience whatsoever beyond using tails and I know what the terminal is but have NO clue how to use it.

Need a daily driver for light tasks (just gimp, handbrake, internet, qbittorrent, and libreoffice type stuff, no games), would prefer security and privacy, but idk if Whonix can run on my old machine and with my nonexistent linux exp idk if it is a good one for me yet, may need exp with something else first? Idk, y'all tell me!

Was reccomended Fedora, has touch support and supposedly good for the light tasks and will run in my old laptop, but figured I'd ask what y'all think because you guys seem knowledgeable.

It is my only computer besides my phone so I can't afford the time to fuck around lol.

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[–] Windows97@lemmygrad.ml 9 points 2 years ago (1 children)

touchscreen needed

Sounds like Gnome is your best bet in that case, no other desktop comes close. Like @LIESGREEDMISERY@lemmy.ml suggested, fedora might be worth a shot. I don't like how it's software repositories work but it shouldn't be that bad if you're ok with using the command line to unlock the expanded repos. Once you got that you got one of the best Gnome experiences you can get on linux and a very solid linux distribution underneath.

[–] Arcaneslime@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I assume it is easy to look all that up being that Fedora seems to have a large community, so I assume it won't be that hard, and I'd like to learn how to do all that "-sudo install aircrack" shit anyway lol (I know it is wrong, I said learn haha). Sounds like that will be the winner here! I think I'll use it to get familliar and then maybe check out whonix for the overkill privacy/security (hell I use GrapheneOS so overkill seems to be right up my alley). I assume I can set up mac spoofing and anything else I may need on any distro with a bit of research, tails has it so fedora surely can too. Thanks for your help!

[–] Windows97@lemmygrad.ml 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Yeah it's all things that'll become second nature pretty quick. Most of my gripes come from being spoiled by the AUR.

[–] Arcaneslime@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 years ago

I don't even know what AUR is so I will be fine! Haha, I'm sure I will pick it up faster than I think myself, these acronyms and terminal and everything are just daunting. But I am into another hobby that I similarly knew nothing about until I commited myself to learning and now am far from an expert but far from a layman as well, with similarly daunting acronyms and varying platforms and such, so I know I can do it! I don't game or do anything crazy, the only game I will be sad to lose is flOw by Jenovah Chen lmao, I still have the old windows version from when it was free! May see if I can use whatever wine is to run it.