Only a few hours ago I switched to Linux with Mint, omg what a beautiful OS, a few clicks to install and everything is almost exactly as it should be. Even the percentages on wifi menu and my new round mouse cursor are marvels to look at.
I’m typing these with an enormously happy heart on an 11-year old laptop that runs smoother than the 1st day, so grateful for everyone’s contribution to this gem of an OS, wishing that I switched to Linux from Windows years ago. I know back then things weren’t as well-developed as this, but hey, I do not wish to go back and touch a single Windows machine ever again and I hate MacOS/iOS even more.
As a beginner, I have a few short questions I can’t help but ask:
Why am I feeling like I was released from prison just now? Did everyone feel similar when they first installed a Linux distro?
I develop in Python using Visual Studio Code, which I installed immediately, but I also need to use Adobe apps daily. I found this “Wine” app that can emulate an interface for that, but is it really sustainable on the long run? Is there a better way of using Adobe products on LinuxMint if anyone would like to share?
My main workstation pc at home is still Windows, and I want to install Linux Mint on it SO BAD, the only fear preventing me is that I can’t lose 1 day of work only being forced to switch back when I discover that I can’t do this or do that on Linux Mint. I know I have to spend weeks on this, testing each software I need on Linux, only after I’m confident that I’ll be fine, then I’ll uninstall Windows FOREVER and will never look back. The question is, instead of spending weeks testing everything, is anyone here using Linux only and doing fine with work-related stuff? Are you having to use a Windows machine at any given time?
Any answer would be appreciated. THANK YOU everyone for providing this gem for free and for anyone to use so easy, you can’t imagine how grateful I feel, and for the rest of my life I will absolutely contribute to adding more beautiful stuff into this. I’ve never felt so relieved like this before. Every computer on Earth should come pre-installed with a Linux
I am pleased that you are so happy with Linux Mint - and yes; everyone seems to feel similarly. Certainly I know only one of my friends who use Windows on one of her computers, and only because she doesn’t want to “contaminate” it with Google’s Zoom s/w. My oldest Linux friend is 94, wouldn’t dream of going back to Windows and is very adventurous - although he has to ask for assistance these days.
Most people need only the basic range of s/w that comes pre-installed e.g. a full suite of office applications, file management, music/video players and much more - as you have discovered. Installing Wine for Micro$oft-only software is very common although you will find that most of ones’ needs can be satisfied by adding s/w from the approved repositories if necessary.
Best of all; one can install Linux alongside Windows and choose when booting up which one to use. This looks like an ideal solution for you. And when your are happy to migrate, the Windows partition can be reclaimed.
This Forum (and the Mint Forum) provide a wealth of experience for the new (and not so new) user and I recommend that you peruse them often. There are no daft questions here - feel free to ask even what you may feel are elementary questions, as we’ve all been along that path and are willing to help.
Erm, well … not everyone. I recall some chaps at M$ being a little unimpressed …
WINE has been around since the 90’s, I’m not aware it’s going away any time soon. The best way to run Windows applications on Linux varies depending on the software and usage, but maybe a more sustainable option is to run Windows in a virtual machine. An even better solution is often to switch to an Open Source alternative for Windows software. As Python Developer I too use VS, however you’ll find pycharm and sublime are also available and work well. My overriding reason for using VS is the remote ssh support, but I realise that I may well need to switch back to Sublime in the future depending in which way the Windows blows at M$.
Easy answer - virtual machine. Install a Window type OS and your old software, then it’s all available should something not pan out as expected. Virtual machines on Linux are pretty solid and there are multiple flavours. Personally I use the KVM hypervisor with the “virtual machine manager” gui. Setting up a VM is all point and click, all you need is a ISO image for your chosen Windows/like OS.
Is there maybe an implied question in (1), i.e. why isn’t everyone using Linux?
Hi Lucas
Good to hear you’re enjoying Mint, it’s a great OS, can I suggest if you’re gonna try Windows apps in wine you try Bottles it’s really just a frontend for WINE but it can make installing Windows software a little easier and less stressful, it’s simple to use and under active development, You’ll find it here https://usebottles.com/
