this post was submitted on 27 Mar 2026
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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So first of all, you could likely still access your drives when you boot from a USB. Goes for any OS
secondly: if you play with fire, don't complain about the blisters. And yo be clear, with fire I don't mean Linux, with fire I mean specialty distro
You need to ask yourself what you want. If you want something shiny and cool that does certain security things that are awesome but not really that needed for the average Joe, then fine, go with whatever.
I on the other hand need a Linux distro that works, that I can trust. I have been using Kubuntu (Ubuntu with KDE UI) for over the last 20. There are bugs, like everywhere, but bugs like "this little widget doesn't respond right", not "oh my OS suicided again"
True. Emergency mode or something similar might also be an option. But a live USB certainly is a good method. It's just frustrating that it's needed.
I don't see how using an OS is playing with fire. I understand that sometimes comparability issues arise but on the other hand it's not like I'm on a release candidate kernel or trying to slim down my OS to a single megabyte by removing stuff. Sometimes bleeding edge can actually be needed when installing new hardware. When stuff is released it should just work I think?
Linux has emergency modes for booting as well. The old ways would work with run levels, and the newer ways (through systemd) I honestly don't know. However, a bootable USB is usually the best solution because it won't boot a drive with a possibly damaged filesystem that needs repairs before accessing it, that sort of stuff. There is a reason why it is a separate storage device to boot from.
I'm just saying that if you take an experimental or very hard to master OS for your day to day work, or storing your family photo albums, then yeah, you're playing with fire, because the OS can trip you up in many ways. Linux is great, but potentially unforgiving when you make mistakes. Ubuntu Linux is at the point where normal users need to work hard to mess stuff up, but if you go for gentoo or something else experimental or DIY, then yeah, you better be prepared to take the consequences when things go down south