Desktop Linux for Noobs
Created: 10/14/2023
Updated: 4/3/2024
Tags: Linux, Debian, Linux Mint
HEY!
This page is a work in progress.
There will likely be changes made and more content added when needed. Don't expect it to always stay the same.
Things that won't be added:
> Distros that are not beginner friendly
> Overly specific content
ALSO!
Please share this page with anyone that you know that might be affected by the push towards TPM2.0
Qustions and Answers
Q: What is Linux?
A: "Linux is a family of open-source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel" ~ Wikipedia. Linux can be just about whatever the user wants it to be. Want it to be used for a Laptop or Desktop PC? It's more then capable for that. Want to use it as an OS for your Server? It's what most servers run these days. Want to build something with a SBC or something similar? Linux has got you covered. This page will be talking about using Linux as a replacement for Windows on your traditional PCs and Laptops.
Q: Why should I use Linux?
A: It's free, adopts a FOSS (Free Open Source Software) culture, and once Windows 10's EOL is reached there will either be a shift towards Linux or a massive e-waste crisis will emerge… or maybe both. Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0 which a lot of still perfectly functional PCs do not have. If you have one of these still functioning PCs and don't want it to end up apart of the mass amounts of e-waste then you need to learn how to use Linux now before using Windows 10 becomes a security risk in 2025.
Choose a Linux Distro
First you need to prep a USB storage device with Ventoy to make things simple and so you can try another distro or reinstall windows if needed. Ventoy is extremly easy to setup on Windows, just make sure you are choosing your USB storage device so you don't mess up something else. Once Ventoy is installed on your USB storage device/flash drive, download one of the recommended distros below and drop the ISO (or ISOs) directly on the USB drive. I also recommend putting a windows 10 onto the usb drive in case anything goes wrong or you need to go back to windows for whatever reason. Now everything should be setup. From here you restart your PC and boot into your USB drive then choose the distro you wanted then you will be brought into the installer.
Linux Mint
https://linuxmint.com/
Linux Mint is the distro that made us realize that Linux is a viable alternative to Windows. It is user friendly, comes with plenty of documentation, easy to find community support, and can be used entirely without ever touching a Terminal or CLI (Command Line Interface) application. (But you likely will touch the terminal as you learn more) If you are less tech savvy but still want to get into Linux then this is the perfect one to start with. Even if you are experienced Linux User, Mint has features that has a lot of us coming back.
Debian
https://www.debian.org/
Debian is what we like to call a base distro which means it is what other distros use as a base to build upon. Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu and Ubuntu is based on Debian. What does this mean for the average user? It means that if you install this distro you get a very basic and non bloated Linux experience at the cost of it not being the easiest thing to understand for new Linux users. It's by no means hard though! There is a gui installer and plenty of guides out there explaining how to set that up. You get the choice between multiple different desktop environments so you can customize it to your heart’s content. If you find that you dislike how Windows and more beginner friendly distros try to hold your hands through everything and want to learn how to use a terminal then this is the one for you. This distro is very stable meaning it usually has packages that some people would consider outdated. The main advantage to this approach of holding back can be a benefit for security. If you decide to use this then MAKE SURE TO NOT ADD ANY ROOT INFO, there is no legitimate reason to not just use sudo!
What to do after a fresh install
Just like after a fresh install of Windows, you should make sure your system is up to date. If you used the Debian GUI installer then you don't really have to worry about this right away but Linux Mint Users will need tp make sure they have the latest security and software updates.
Linux Mint GUI
On the right side of the panel (taskbar for windows users) you will find a Shield icon. This Shield represent's the update software that Mint uses. If you are connected to the internet the shield should turn orange within a few minutes after loging in. This means you have updates to apply. Clicking on the Shield while orange will bring up all the updates you can apply. You can choose what you want and don't want unlike Windows. By default everything will be selected, don't touch anything unless you know what you are doing. Just install the updates.
Apt Package Manager
On Linux Mint and Debian you can open a terminal window and enter the following commands to update your system.
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
If you tried to copy and paste this with ctrl-v and got confused don't worry because that does not work in terminals, try ctrl-shift-v. It will ask you for your password because using sudo tells the system you will be preforming an action with root permissions. Press Y and enter when given the prompt to confirm. Congrats you should now be up to date.
Installing Software
Now depending on who you ask, you will hear that this can either be a herculean task or as simple as it is on Windows. The people telling you that it is hard are likely using something like Gentoo but you as a spoiled Linux Mint or Debian user will likely have it easy. Key word there is "likely".
Using a Software Manager/Store Front
If you download software in .deb form off a website then all you have to do to install it is locate the file, right click on it, and open the file with "Software"
Please remember that while it's harder to get Windows Viruses and Malware on Linux, Linux Viruses and Malware still exist and can get anyone not being careful and not practicing internet safety.
Using Apt Package Manager
Find the package you want to install on the Debian repos for Debian, and the Ubuntu repos for Linux Mint.
sudo apt install package-name
Now you just need replace 'package-name' on the command below with the package's name then press enter
Essential applications
Steam
https://store.steampowered.com/about/
Game CDN + easy access to Proton
Flatpak
https://flatpak.org/setup/
Package Manager
Wine
https://www.winehq.org/
Windows Compatibility Layer
Boxes
https://flathub.org/apps/org.gnome.Boxes
VMs to mess with other linux distros in, requires flatpak
Guides & Resources
Linux Journey
https://linuxjourney.com/
Learn how to use the terminal and find out about more distros.
ProtonDB
https://www.protondb.com/
Steam game compatibility information thats community ran.
Videos
Linux Mint
Debian
Remeber, there is no shame in messing up. Theres no shame in reinstalling the os and starting fresh. Take a moment to learn rather then get upset and you should actually have fun getting to know how to use linux! This webpage barely scratches the surface of what you can do with this little kernel, search engines are your friends for finding all different kinds of info, distros, support, and whatever else you might need.