I've been using Windows for a long time, but I've finally decided to ditch it for good. I have a couple of unique requirements that make this transition a bit tricky. My laptop is an HP model, around two years old, equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U, integrated Radeon graphics, 16 GB of RAM, and a 119 GB SSD. I'm looking to embrace a Linux distribution, and my top contenders are Debian, Ubuntu, and Mint, all of which support the Common Desktop Environment (CDE)—this is a must for me because I'm eager to avoid the bland and minimalist interfaces I've dealt with in Windows.
I'm also quite averse to Steam for various reasons, including past frustrations with running older games on it. What I'm really looking for is a viable Linux option that allows me to enjoy my older PC games without relying on Steam, and I'd rather not use any Google services either.
While I'm fine with a bit of technical work to get things running smoothly, I'd love any advice or insights on the best paths to take. Thanks!
3 Answers
If you're looking for ways to run older games without Steam, there's also a tool called Wine that might help. You'll find a guide or two on setting it up for abandonware games. As for losing touch support with CDE, there might be workarounds, but it's trickier; so if you can live without it, that could make your life easier.
CDE is a pretty cool setup! It's actually designed for UNIX, created by a mix of companies back in the '90s, and it was open-sourced in 2012. About your Steam worry, keep in mind that Proton is part of Steam, but it can work independently with some setups too. So worth exploring alternatives like Lutris—for running old games—which don't require Steam directly. Also, a third-party client like Vesktop might help with Discord if you need an easy streaming option.
You should consider checking out the LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition); it combines aspects of both Mint and Debian. It might resolve some compatibility issues with CDE while keeping things simpler for you. Just a few less headaches overall when switching!
That sounds promising! I might look into LMDE too. Seems like it could be the smoothest route given my needs.
Yeah, CDE really gives a retro vibe while allowing you to work with modern Linux! And definitely check out Lutris for gaming; it has a ton of configurations for different games.