So if I wanted two users for instance, then I'd have to download an extra copy of each piece of software (one per user) to be able to access (if I wanted tk store them on the drive and not on the network?)
Thanks for the detailed response! This sounds promising.
Do you know of good emulation setups in Linux? I've run a bunch of emulators (NES, SNES, N64, GBA, and some GameCube and Playstation although not as prevalent), and am interested in getting something to emulate the Switch after I upgrade the hardware.
I'll be stuck with Windows on my work laptop, that's not something that I will be able to change anyway. I can point out as things come up, but with industry accepted software (like SolidWorks for example) that we use daily I can't see us switching to any alternative.
Do others auto-update or are users prompted as updates become available?
Would the programs I install while using one desktop environment not be accessible from the other desktop environment? Akin to installing software in a Windows computer and each user logging into that computer can access that software?
Okay that's good to know. That will come later as I get more comfortable in the environment.
That's why I'm wanting to make the switch now! I'm really disliking how constrained I've felt with what applications and especially subscription based services.
Okay so maybe ease myself in with dual boot, then Linux + virtual Windows, then Linux only. That seems like a good transition.
Typically I have a browser (Firefox), Blender for some 3D modeling, uTorrent, previously Plex (but wanting to move away from it to something like Jellyfin maybe), Microsoft Offjce products but mostly Word/Excel/PowerPoint, and I have Outlook on my work laptop but am used to using browser for email client as needed so thats not a huge priority if there isnt a good mail application. There are probably others but those are the most often or daily usage!
Oh that's interesting. So each time I login I could potentially load into a different styling as I choose?
Does a desktop environment really draw that much more resource than another?
I forget what GPU I currently have but I may be upgrading soon anyway so I'll be sure to keep that in mind for the purchase. That's the first big step: finding software to fit my needs as they come up but that can be piece by piece!
Hello!
I'm interested in moving my personal computer to running Linux but I'm not sure where to even begin. As background, I am a casual user and have a desktop with hardware from around 2014 running Windows. I am hoping to setup a NAS drive as a media server in the next year or so, offloading all of the files currently on the Windows desktop and have been interested in open source software such as Jellyfin. I also mostly game on an Xbox and Nintendo Switch, but have used the desktop in the past for gaming such as with an Oculus Rift Headset and some Steam games so not huge on getting games working on the computer. But, I do sometimes torrent using the computer so don't want to lose that capability (especially with upkeep for the media server).
With all of that said, I didn't know how to get started with choosing what Linux OS to use, setting it up, backing up my files to make sure I can use them with the new OS, etc. Making the switch seems to have great options for customization and "choosing a distro that works for you", but I don't know what would work for me or what will be user friendly for a beginner.
Any tips or pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!