I'm feeling really overwhelmed trying to get into Linux. I have an old Lenovo laptop from around 2016 that runs Windows 10, but I don't want to upgrade to Windows 11. I've heard that using Linux can give me more control and privacy, and that I can still do most things I do on Windows. I'm willing to learn, but I need help figuring out where to begin. Here are my questions:
* What basic terms should I be familiar with? I keep seeing 'distro' and I'm guessing that's short for distribution, but what does it really mean?
* Are there different versions of Linux, or just different methods to install it?
* What major dos and don'ts should I keep in mind?
* What are the key decisions I need to make as I start this journey? I hope these questions aren't too silly! I know I could Google this, but I'm struggling with all the information out there.
2 Answers
For starting with Linux, I recommend checking out YouTube channels like Explaining Computers. It’s super helpful for understanding the basics. Also, don’t shy away from reading documentation—pushing through challenges is part of the learning process! Try digging into resources like the Arch Wiki or Ubuntu Wiki when you run into issues; they’ve helped me a lot!
Check out Linux Mint Cinnamon or Xfce to get started; they’re user-friendly and have a look similar to Windows. YouTube has a ton of beginner tutorials about Linux Mint that can help you a lot!
Just a heads up, Linux is technically the kernel of the operating system. The distributions, or distros, like Linux Mint, include the kernel alongside other components to form a complete OS.