Getting Started with Linux: What You Need to Know

Definitely try out Linux Mint! It’s user-friendly and you can do anything in it that you could in other distributions. Just take your time to learn the basics before diving into modifications. Linux is quite different from Windows, so don’t rush to customize things until you have a better understanding of how it all works!

If you’re considering a solid base system, Debian is a great choice. It’s stable and provides a good foundation to build on as you customize your experience.

Here are some common mistakes to watch out for: 1) Don’t think of Linux as just a Windows clone; it's a different OS altogether. 2) Most distros are not vastly different, so focus on what suits your needs rather than getting caught up in the differences. 3) Remember that Linux is modular, meaning it's made up of various components you can customize. 4) Commands in the terminal are actually programs, not just built-in orders. Lastly, don’t overwhelm yourself; the Linux world is massive, and you’ll learn so much by just exploring and experimenting on your own!

One of the first things you should do is set up Timeshift for system backups and Borg for your user directories. This way, if anything goes wrong, you can easily roll back your changes. You can automate these backups to run daily or weekly, giving you peace of mind while you experiment with your setup. Backing up your configs to GitHub combined with Stow is also a great idea to keep everything organized and safe!