Linux needs to grow. Stop telling people it's 'tech-y' or acting like you're more advanced for using it, you are scaring away people. Linux Mint can be used by a senile person perfectly.
Explain shortly the benefits, 'faster, more secure, easier to use, main choices of professionals and free'. Ask questions that let you know if they need to dual boot, 'do you use Adobe, anti-cheat games, or Microsoft Office', 'how new is your computer', 'do you use a Mac'.
And most importantly, offer to help them install.
They don't understand the concept of distros, just suggest Linux Mint LTS Cinnamon unless they're curious.
That's it, spread Linux to as many people as possible. The larger the marketshare, the better support we ALL get. We can fight enshittification. Take the time to spread it but don't force it on anyone.
AND STOP SCARING PEOPLE AWAY. Linux has no advertising money, it's up to us.
Offer family members or friends your help or copy and paste the below
how to install linux: 1) copy down your windows product key 2) backup your files to a harddrive 3) install the linux mint cinnamon iso from the linux mint website 4) use etcher (download from its website) to put the iso on a usb flash drive 5) go into bios 6) boot from the usb 7) erase the storage and install 8) press update all in the update manager 9) celebrate. it takes 15 minutes.
edit: LET ME RE-STATE, DO NOT FORCE IT ON ANYONE.
and if someone is at the level of ignorance (not in a derogatory fashion) that they dont know what a file even is genuinely dont bother unless theyre your parents cause youll be tech support for their 'how do i install the internet' questions.
Booting to a Linux live USB doesn't save user data right? I'm talking about installing Linux on a USB and maintaining data/configuration across reboots.
This way I can slowly build out my ideal environment with distro and apps. Goal is to document the process so I can replicate it onto a laptop permanently. Then my main desktop.
@Landless2029 @jackpot
MX Linux- MX’s graphical tools provide an easy way to do a wide variety of tasks, while the Live USB and snapshot tools inherited from antiX add impressive portability and remastering capabilities.
https://mxlinux.org/
install on a usb drive and make sure that there is enough free space for creatng a live usb(double)with persistence.there are user curated lists of software on github-linux and lightweight.
https://github.com/sindresorhus/awesome
@Landless2029 @jackpot
forgot something.when you have created a live usb from mx linux with all your packages and
flatpaks you can install from usb .so you have always a backup with internet access that is fresh.
That's my goal for the USB part.
MX Linux seems like a different distro? I plan to play with my Nvidia gpu / proton / wine / bottles / steam / gog to figure out my install/config requirements.
Goal is to figure it out and back it up in my personal git.
I was going to start with mint cinnamon
@Landless2029
mx linux is based on debian,so mint might be bettet for your needs(fresher packages).for mint there are explanations on reddit for the best way to do it.mx linux has a subreddit.it works for gaming but may be it is the best to do a domain query for reddit and protondb
what is best for your needs.