Choose Linux and make your PC personal again.

[kevinrns@mstdn.social]

@killyourfm

Well done, beautiful catch.

For readers

You own My Computer
Who owns This Computer?

[coastalcoasting@universeodon.com]

@killyourfm

Is there a 'switching to Linux for idiots' edition? My belated took care of all these things and I'm utterly lost about tech in the most profound ways since he passed almost a year ago. Where does one start when one of their biggest skill blind spots needs an entire overhaul?

[415s30@mastodon.social]

@killyourfm I would but I am not technically capable enough!

[killyourfm@layer8.space]

@415S30 I bet you are. It's so much easier than it used to be!

[killyourfm@layer8.space]

@CoastalCoasting Mmm, it's a tough question to answer. Linux is interesting because of how diverse and customizable it can be. Most people are going to tell you "oh, you have to use X," or "only Y is the right choice." I believe the right approach is to ask people what their needs are first.

(1/2)

[killyourfm@layer8.space]

@CoastalCoasting So I would ask you things like:
-What type of desktop look and behavior do you like? (Windows or Mac?)
-Have you installed an operating system before?
-What kind of PC or laptop do you want to use Linux on?
-Do you want to play games?
-What kind of software do you regularly use on Windows or macOS?

Knowing all this makes it easier to recommend the RIGHT version :)

But I promise it's significantly easier to install and use than most people think.

2/2

[killyourfm@layer8.space]

@CoastalCoasting PS: @codemonkeymike can attest to how easy it is for people to use. He upcycles computers, installs a unique version of Linux on them, and gives them away to all kinds of people with very little technical experience.

[cschwartz@digitalcourage.social]

@CoastalCoasting Having started out as an idiot myself, trust me, any Linux that is not designed for specialists will do, e.g. a generalist like Ubuntu. Aren‘t there any initiatives in your area that help people along?

[admin@mstdn.feddit.social]

@killyourfm
2026年属于自己的只有显示屏了（）

[coastalcoasting@universeodon.com]

@CSchwartz One of the downsides of living in a very small, tourist coastal town... little to no service options for many things. The senior center has some support services for things like printer jam help though.

[rgo@masto.pt]

@killyourfm Arch + i3wm here. NixOS for servers. Once you taste the control, proprietary OSes feel like training wheels.

[vivekanandanks@mstdn.social]

@killyourfm
So they removed one lie I guess

[codemonkeymike@fosstodon.org]

@killyourfm @CoastalCoasting correct. It's been amazing to see completely non tech people get on.

Getting it installed takes a little tech savvy (not much though) but once it's installed, there isn't much to deal with. Just use it!

This is the distro I use

https://nixbookos.org

[strule@organica.social]

@codemonkeymike @killyourfm @CoastalCoasting is it possible to adapt something like calamares to easy the install process on a future release?

[coastalcoasting@universeodon.com]

@codemonkeymike

What does distro mean?

[coastalcoasting@universeodon.com]

@codemonkeymike

And thank you, that's a help to have a reference point!

[coastalcoasting@universeodon.com]

@strule

calamari, as in octopus arms? is it software?

[strule@organica.social]

@CoastalCoasting it was a typo, I was referring to Calamares, Manjaro's/Cachy installer

[coastalcoasting@universeodon.com]

@strule

thanks, trying to learn and very easily confused in the initial stages. Your patience is appreciated

[powerfromspace1@mstdn.social]

@killyourfm no choice now that MSFT is force feeding son of clippy copilot down everyone's throat