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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Getting started! (self.linux)

submitted 1 year ago by SkipWapPallyPap to c/[email protected]

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I have grown up around Linux and have had people like my dad use it near me my whole life. I even booted a fedora version once on a very old machine when I was younger as a way for my dad to teach me about Linux. Sadly I never really caught on at the time.

I am ready to really jump in now. Is there a beginners guide/pros cons comparison for different distribution of Linux? I am also curious about how well things like matlab, solidworks, and Office suit/libra office work in Linux.

Thank you!

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[–] chillhelm 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Matlab exists for Linux and is the same as on Windows. LibreOffice is a fully functioning office suit for Linux.

I can't speak to SOLIDWORKS, their website only lists a windows version. There is however some community work being done here https://github.com/cryinkfly/SOLIDWORKS-for-Linux And it looks like they have it running.

Given that Fedora and Ubuntu are listed on that github, you should probably start with either one of those.

For a complete beginner I'd recommend Ubuntu, since it's a solid distro with huge wealth on online support available.

[–] SkipWapPallyPap 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Awesome! I think I will start looking at Ubuntu.

[–] hinterlufer 5 points 1 year ago (3 children)

If you're coming from Windows, or like the windows look then I'd recommend trying the cinnamon flavor of Ubuntu (or straight up Linux Mint which is also Ubuntu based).

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I would also suggest KDE based ones (like Kubuntu). Familiar desktop look and feel. Intuitive controls. Decent hardware requirements.

Anyway, you can use a different desktop env. later, too.

[–] bev 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Linux mint uses flatpak instead of snap. That'd be my reason to go with them instead of plain Ubuntu.

[–] hinterlufer 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I mean I use all of them - flatpak, snap and AppImages on my Mint installation. And I'm pretty sure you can use flatpaks on Ubuntu as well.

[–] bev 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Sure. But it can be annoying to remove snap if you're like me.

[–] SkipWapPallyPap 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Is that a DE in Ubuntu?

[–] hinterlufer 2 points 1 year ago

Yes, it has a typical taskbar which will be familiar if you're used to windows and I think it's quite sleek in general.