this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2024
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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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Hi....

  • I don't know what to say in the introduction, but in brief I have some questions about Linux, which were formed after trying some distributions on DistroSea and observing Linux communities on the Internet. Can you help with the answer?
  1. I liked Gnome DE interface very much, but whenever I look at the empty workspace after closing an app , I feel that something is missing (sorry, I have been using Windows for almost 15 years). Is there an add on - or any other way - to install some apps on workspace? Or do I have to get used to it as it is ?

  2. I read that Linux is more problematic on laptops than on personal computers, is this true? If so...what are the usual problems and is there a way to avoid them?

  3. Are there any distributions that come with the minimum pre-installed apps ? ... I mean not even a video or music player

  4. If I want to delete a pre-installed app (let's say the default browser), can this be done easily or does it require root, like Android?

  5. Does rooting invalidate the system from obtaining updates?

  6. I read that switching DEs is easy... but how exactly is it done? Something in the settings, or downloading the interface independently, or customizing it to be similar to the other, or something else?

  7. Lazy question : What are wayland and docker? I see a lot of people mentioning them

  • Sorry for the many questions, and thanks in advance
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[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

1.Theres dash to dock extentions to make it have a task bar like windows or mac, aswell as wigets for the top bar.

  1. It is mostly true, some obscure laptops dont have everything working out of the box for alot of distros. And require lots of tinkering with drivers and kernel modules.

3.if you want to go ultra bear bones, theres alpine linux thats alot like android, but doesnt run android and is usally used for network appliances. Aswell as arch linux which installs base packages and is completely bare bones.

Then theres the manual side of linux There gentoo which is a source distro, meaning everything is built from source code and must be manually enabled and setup. Its great for low power hardware but you need to read alot of documents on the wiki.

Then theres the F all Linux from scratch, It is what you think.

  1. Usually you need root to uninstall, packages unless its flatpak.

5.No root is the first account made on your system without root being made nothing would work its the equivalent of system 32 for windows.

  1. Switching DE is super simple. Find which one you want in your package manager and install that package. After that when you get to the login page it should show up in the sessions tab or gear icon for gnome. And simple select your DE and login.

  2. Wayland is a new display protocal that fixes and improves on previous technology such as x11 and xorg. Docker is Containerization The best way to explain it is. Your main distro is a truck and a docker container is having a linux distribution in a box. Docker containers are usually purpose built for services which run a preconfigured distribution for that purpose.

Also no problem helping out other, we all gotta start somewhere!