Linux for beginners

‘Linux is too difficult anyway – who always wants to use a terminal/console?’

That used to be the case many years ago. But now it is possible to use some GNU/Linux operating systems without any prior technical knowledge – without any white and black lettering, but with modern graphical user interfaces.

‘What’s free can’t be any good.’

Unfortunately, this is a big misconception – without free software, the entire Internet would not be as large, diverse and, above all, secure as it is today. E.g. we can do online banking! Isn’t that great? As a rule, free software is not written by profit-orientated companies, but by volunteers who, together with others, programme a good piece of software for the general public. But Linux has also become indispensable in the professional environment: billion-dollar companies such as SUSE, Canonical and RedHat are driving new technologies forward and offer professional support for their products, which they use to finance themselves.

‘Linux doesn’t run properly on many computers and doesn’t support my computer anyway.’

We would like to deny this, but we can only do so in part. Most machines/hardware parts that are older than one year are supported without exception. Exceptions are certain sound cards, proprietary navigation systems and fingerprint readers. Mac devices also work in principle, but can present some hurdles, which is why we advise against them, especially for beginners.

‘No clever software runs on Linux. And you don’t even need to start with games.’

For the time being: Linux is well suited to 95% of computer users. Nevertheless, there will probably be changes in the software sector. For example, if you can’t do without the Adobe Suite, switching to Linux will be difficult. In principle, however, pretty much everything is feasible under Linux. Many programmes run directly under Linux, for others there are good and mature alternatives for Linux:

• For MS Office, there’s Libre Office, MS Office Online, or Softmaker Office.
• For Adobe Photoshop, there are GIMP, Inkscape and Krita.
• For Outlook, there’s Thunderbird or Outlook Online.
• Other well-known programmes are also available for Linux, such as VLC, Firefox, Chrome, Edge: VLC, Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Spotify, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Zoom, Teams, Skype, Discord, Dropbox, TeamViewer, Steam, Blender, Audacity, Visual Studio Code, Jetbrains, Eclipse, Android Studio, Visual Studio Code, to name just the tip of the iceberg.

Many games such as EldenRing, GTA 5, The Witcher, Overwatch and Battlefield also run on Linux. But there are also AAA games that do not run. Cloud gaming, for example, works wonderfully on Linux. If you don’t want to do without your favourite game on Linux, we recommend installing Linux alongside Windows.

Also: Windows: Software that requires only moderate 3D performance or less runs without problems with the compatibility layer: Windows in a Box (VirtualBox)

‘Until my Linux is up and running and I can get to grips with it… It’s not worth the time.’

Getting started with Linux can take some time, especially if you have to struggle through the installation and setup alone. But let’s look at it as an investment: Linux saves you time in the long run. Linux Mint, for example, has a user-friendly design and is very similar to Windows 10 in terms of operation. The installation is usually self-explanatory and can be completed with just a few clicks. In the long term, using Linux will give you a better understanding of computer basics and full control over your data. You learn to solve problems on your own and are no longer dependent on expensive help. And if you do get stuck, many are out there which can help you here.

In the long term, e.g. Linux Mint is a stable system that runs like clockwork. This means less hassle with viruses and updates and more time for the really important things. Linux Mint is known for its reliability and longevity. Once set up, it often runs for years without any problems. So to summarise: The initial time investment in Linux is worth it! Not only will you gain knowledge and control, but you will also save a lot time and nerves in the long term.