Hey everyone! I'm diving into the world of Linux after watching tons of videos and am getting ready to dual boot. My plan is to start with Mint since I want to ease into things before moving on to Arch later. I've got some IT background and am familiar with the command line, but I'd like to know how easy it is to switch distros. If I use Mint for a few months, what's the best way to transition? Should I just do a clean reinstall on my main drive and keep all my files and games on a second drive? Any tips would be appreciated!
2 Answers
I usually prefer to start fresh with a clean install. But if you're thinking of keeping your files, maintaining a separate /home partition is a great idea. You can install a new OS while keeping your /home intact. And don't worry, you'll be able to game on pretty much any distro you choose! Just remember, Arch isn't the end-all-be-all; it's not super magical or anything—just another option.
It's smart to keep your /home on a separate partition if you plan to switch distros. Just make sure you install with the same username and PC name to avoid ownership issues. Even with that, be prepared for some conflicts with .config files between different desktop environments. And remember, always back up your data beforehand!
I hear you on the backups! What do folks usually use for backups on Linux? I've been relying on OneDrive with Windows.
Wait, you say Arch is basic and restrictive? I'm curious about that! Shouldn't it be faster since it’s minimalist?