What are some things to know / keep in mind when helping someone install Linux?
Installing for myself, I have to deal with my choices (like my recent “update without the recommended backup hoping my files are there when I get back”, Pop!_OS 24.04 COSMIC). But for others, I’dn’t like risking them facing my consequences.
Any tips are welcome!
Edit: for context, I was asked for help on that. I am not converting someone just outta nowhere.
And my worry is less with everyday usage. They can adapt, or, assuming dual boot, boot back to Windows. But we prolly need to choose a distro, and not brick their laptop. Two important parts!
Also, we in CS, so… make of that what you will
- Make sure they have a backup of all data and files that matter to them. Shit can happen and you don’t want that.
- Make sure they realize Linux is not a free version of Windows or macOS. It’s something new and like with anything new it will require some time getting used to it.
As you consider helping them install Linux, remember that you will be the default IT person for them. Whether it’s user error, computer malfunctions, or figuring out how to add a new feature, you will be the one to ask about it.
Do not use Cosmic for this brand new user.
It’s still beta, and I assume your goal is to have them keep using Linux.
Ubuntu or Mint for new users.
I vote Mint, but either works.
Never Ubuntu. Never Canonical.
Mint is a good choice if they can stomach Cinnamon. My top recommendations are still Bazzite for gamers and Fedora KDE or everyone else.
But it’s easier to install software on Ubuntu as it has snap and install instructions for nearly everything
Frankly, Canonical isn’t really bad
Like what, snap and some links with Israel somewhere? A bit of telemetry in the top. That’s it?
Take stock of what applications they currently use on windows and see what alternatives exist.
Verify and Test the backup of the data they want to keep.
Try to ensure it is not their only computer.
Since it’s a laptop, for whichever distros you’re considering I would absolutely check for any compatibility issues or weirdness others have experienced (things like sleep/wake, power management, wifi, webcam, any other features on the laptop).
What laptop is it?
Laptops + Linux = 💥 in a lot of cases
when i was a beginner, it helped me a lot to just start, i installled linux mint without any knowledge. Doing easy things( system update, installing things, using nano, git, pip) Then i got used to do things more and more in the terminal. I had two laptops, one hacket chromebook with linux and one with windows, my safe space. Now my safe space is arch😅
Partition scheme
