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Linux install on laptop for a complete noob (feddit.nl)

submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by [email protected] to c/linux

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Hi there!

Seeing the enshittification of Windows unfold, I'm curious about trying out Linux.

I don't want to move over my main machine just yet, but I've got a 9 yo HP Pavilion 15-e001ed spare laptop I want to experiment with. Eventually I want a gaming laptop that can run steam games.

When I googled I found a plethora of pieces of advice, but seeing the proselytizing for Linux here, maybe I could get a bit more personal advice as a potential conscript.

So what advice would you give me to start my journey into Linux?

UPDATE: Ok my cherry is popped, writing this from a fresh Mint install. It's suprisingly smooth sailing. Only thing is somehow software gets installed on my root partition instead of the home partition I made because people told me so.

But overall not nearly as dounting as I thought it would be. Thanks for the help everybody!

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Only thing is somehow software gets installed on my root partition instead of the home partition I made because people told me so.

How are you installing software? If you are using the native package manager (apt in the case of Mint) it will install to the root partition because it's installing for all users. If you want to install to your home directory, you might be wanting something like flatpak.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (2 children)

I was using the software manager indeed. For steam that seems like the only way to go as it says it needs 32 bit and hence needs root access. (Self reportedly).

I tried downloading the installer from stream itself, but that didn't fare well.

I'm currently debating doing a re install and just make the one partition for everything, which is a shame ai was proud I managed the separate partitions all by myself. But if this can happen and my root can get filled up with files like this I don't see how having a separate partition is worth it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago

The main reason why you might want a separate home partition is for easy distro hopping, so you can keep all your personal files when you reinstall/change the operating system. Which is something you may want as a new user, however obviously it's not too hard to backup your home directory somewhere if you're wiping your drive for a reinstall.

[–] surewhynotlem 2 points 2 days ago

You probably want software to go to root. Your home directory is for your personal files and configurations.

The benefit of doing it this way, is that you can blow away your entire OS and all software and reinstall it, but keep your personal stuff untouched.