Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Interested in learning more (lemmy.world)

submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Hello. I've been a window user from win95. I'd like to learn more about Linux but don't know where to start. I had a brief intro when I was in highschool and recently I've been seeing more and more talk here on Lemmy. Mostly memes.

With how bad Google is finding good information unless I add -reddit to my search. Which I won't do. Trying to stay away from that.

What can I expect to find as a casual observer? Why does Linux do that's "better" than Windows? That's not meant to inflame anyone. More so what do you personally like better.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

I'd like to learn more about Linux but don't know where to start.

The best way is to try it out yourself. Download a random Linux distribution (distro), such as Pop!_OS, elementary OS or Feren OS, and give it a try in a virtual machine (VM) such as VirtualBox. Testing it inside a VM is risk-free, and it will not affect your Windows installation.

Be warned that running Linux inside a VM may be a bit slower than trying it out on an actual PC, so if you'd like, you can also put all the ISO files into a Ventoy-formatted USB drive, boot the drive and check out all ISOs you've downloaded. The good thing is most Linux distros are provided as a "live" ISO, meaning you can use and try out the OS without actually installing it to the disk (this is one example of things that Linux does better - you can actually use the OS, connect to the web and do stuff while the install is going on in the background, how cool is that?)