Non-Geek Switching to Linux - Report

[Douglas Schuch]

Hey, about 6 weeks ago I decided to try loading Linux on my non-upgradable Windows 10 Dell laptop. I would describe myself as a "demi-geek" at best. By that, I mean I generally can fix problems I've encountered with my computers over the years by searching online for fixes, and generally keep them running. But if someone else asks me about a problem I had not encountered, I'm clueless. This post is written for non-geeks who are considering switching to Linux. I would not recommend tackling this if you really are no good at solving computer issues or following geeky instructions and videos. Everyone else should be fine.

With Linux, you use a USB drive formatted and loaded with a Linux "image" to then load it to your computer. You CAN run your computer with this alone, but all you really get is the basic interface - you can't start loading all the software you will need. You can certainly try this and see if you maybe hate the interface you've chosen to load, but you don't learn much from it. Most of us have become comfortable with different interfaces due to smart phones - I have, anyway, so that was no big deal.

You can also create a "dual-boot" system - one that will boot in your Windows 10 or in Linux. This is what I chose to do. I found this guy's videos pretty good at talking me through the steps - he's got videos on installing Linux, and how to make a dual-boot system:

https://www.youtube.com/@PulsarTECH

One thing you need to do is decide which version of Linux to install. These are called "Distros". They all use the basic Linux OS, but differ in how they arrange the interface and what they are optimized to do. I chose Linux Mint as that is the most popular for non-gamer users. There are videos comparing the various distros so you can decide which suits you. In the end, I just felt like the most popular would probably be fine, and I was more concerned about software options. Being the top distro means they have tons of software ready to use.

Creating a dual-boot system - there was one snafu that almost stopped me dead in my tracks - you have to create a new partition on your hard drive to mount the linux program. I had plenty of room as I mostly use external hard drives for my bulk storage, and could move files from the hard drive (actually, an SSD) to the external drive to create more space (and of course, you should have 2 external drives so everything gets backed up routinely). But when I tried to partition my drive, it told me the largest size I could get was very tiny - too small to work. And the files could not be moved with defrag (which is automatic on Windows 10, I think).

I did some searching around and found out that the problem comes from the backup files for Windows - the "reset points" that are created, etc. To solve this, you have to turn off all those automatic reset and backup functions, then create the partition, then turn them back on. Do a google search for whatever issue you come up with and you should find an article or video on how to resolve it. And, BTW, it's helpful to have two devices - the one you are working on, and another (just a phone is fine) where you can access articles or youtube to go step by step for resolving issues as they arise.

The only other snafu I had was in trying to set up the boot option when the computer started so that it asked me which system to boot from. This did not work initially for some reason, so to change from Windows to Linux or vice versa, I'd have to hit the F-key (F2 for most) that lets you into the setup menu on startup, go to the boot section, and rearrange the boot order. But the first time Linux updated, this resolved itself (or maybe it did sooner and I just didn't notice?) If going into setup to change the boot order sounds like total gibberish to you, maybe this isn't the best idea? But you can maybe find a local computer shop that will do it for you - well, I could very easily in the Philippines. Where you are might have a price that means it's not worth the trouble - just buy a new laptop?

Next issue - software. This is much easier and safer than loading software for Window as you get it all from the distro you chose. A lot is pre-loaded and installs in seconds. My biggest concern was a music player that could handle my massive Mp3 collection. Most on Windows bogged down or crashed in no time. So 10 or more years ago I discovered MediaMonkey and have used it ever since. But they don't have a Linux version. After doing some reading, I decided Strawberry was the most likely choice, and indeed, it has met my needs. I still prefer Media Monkey, but Strawberry has no problem handling the huge numbers of files I have.

A problem I did not expect was finding an image program I liked. In Windows I've used Paint.net - not as powerful as GIMP or Photoshop, but very fast and easy to use and met my limited needs for band posters, photo resizing, cropping, or minor tweaking. But again, they do not have a Linux version. There is a program that is based on a very early version of Paint, but it's missing too much. I have loaded GIMP, which gets rave reviews, but it is not very intuitive and I have yet to find the many hours I will need to watch instruction videos to get up to speed on it. So that has been a speed bump for me.

If you LOVE LOVE LOVE Windows Office - sorry, just buy a new computer. I bought a computer a number of years ago that did not have Office on it, so switched to first Open Office, and now Libre Office. Since then, even if Office is installed, I never use it, as I know I can always use Libre Office. So that was no problem at all for me.

Google Chrome has a clever extension called "Transpose" that is brilliant for adjusting YT videos to the pitch you sing in, or slowing them down to play along. But no Chrome in Linux. I've been using Firefox for my browser, but now use Brave for Youtube, and might just switch to Brave. Brave is Chomium-based, so Transpose works in it. I can't even get the speed controls built into Youtube to work in Firefox. So will be test-driving Brave for a while to see if I like it for all stuff.

Band-In-A-Box does not work in Linux - it's a Windows program. So I will keep Windows 10 as a boot option for the once or twice a year I need to use BIAB.

I've always used Audacity as my DAW, and they have a Linux version. If you are bought into a different DAW, you will either want to go dual-boot or just upgrade your computer.

Overall, I am very happy with Linux Mint. Startup and shutdown with Windows 10 had become epic ordeals! Mint is very zippy.
I've found software for almost everything that I am happy with. YMMV

Feel free to contact me via email or PM if you have specific questions.