this post was submitted on 24 Apr 2025
181 points (97.9% liked)

Linux

53490 readers
1182 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

About two weeks ago, I posted my frustrations with Linux, and how it seemed unstable and breaks too easily. At the time, that had been my experience every time I tried Linux over the last 20 years.

But I made an effort to persist, tried some other distros, and found my happy place!

Thank you to the people who sent me on the path of "atomic" distros, and mentioning the likes of Bazzite, Bluefin, and Aurora (All from the Universal Blue group).

The last two weeks have been pure Linux joy on my daily-driver (Framework laptop), with only a few problem-solving expeditions.

I was looking for stability, and got it!

As a Windows user since the 90s, it's such a breath of fresh air to use an OS that's clean and designed to serve me (and not the corporation in charge!).

And I've also replaced windows on the minipc hooked up to our family room TV, and will also replace Windows that I've got on a lesser used desktop.

It's exciting to see just how far Linux has come, and even though I'll likely need to learn some terminal commands, I don't feel it's necessary for most people to even get into that.

The GUI in both KDE and Gnome already offer more than Windows. And I'll never have to see those goddamn pop-ups and banners about Office 365, OneDrive, or Xbox, at least not outside a VM!)

Freeeeeedom!

Thanks again!

top 18 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] orvorn@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 hour ago

I use Aurora on my thinkpad, bazzite on my gaming desktop, and fedora on my desktop at work. Huge fan of what Universal Blue is doing.

[–] procapra@lemm.ee 5 points 1 hour ago

Now that you're a linux user proper its time to bully you for using atomic. 😜

Just teasing, welcome to linux!

[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 3 points 3 hours ago

Hey. Thanks for the update! As someone whose experience was heavily windows apart from some failed Linux attempts, your experience switching now is an excellent comparison.

Glad the story got better in the second act.

Keep the story going. Please update.

Thanks for persevering also.

[–] Blaster_M@lemmy.world 3 points 3 hours ago

While I run straight Fedora on some of my systems now, I do agree the Atomic versions are a boon for stability.

Used to use Ubuntu and Mint for desktops, but they are a bit too vintage with the kernel and package versions, and everything is moving very fast with Wayland replacing X11 and lots of kernel driver improvements for modern hardware (especially AMD hardware), so being on Fedora is the next best thing to the bleedingest edge Arch when it comes to uptodateness.

[–] DharkStare@lemmy.world 8 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago) (2 children)

I switched to Bazzite for my new gaming PC and it's worked great without any major issues.

The only problem I have is that I'm still not sure how to install software that isn't through flatpak or package layering.

[–] Drathro@dormi.zone 4 points 4 hours ago

The answer is toolbox or similar container systems. It runs a sandboxed version of another OS inside your Bazzite install with minimal performance overhead. Not quite the same thing as virtualization, but thinking in those terms can be helpful for those new to the concept. It won't let you run and install everything, but it sure will handle a lot!

[–] Mobile@leminal.space 4 points 4 hours ago

I recently found out how to install Sublime by following these instructions here since Sublime is not on Flathub. Maybe this will help you out!

https://forum.sublimetext.com/t/flatpak-toolbox-and-fedora-silverblue/61894/3

[–] shittydwarf@lemmy.dbzer0.com 32 points 6 hours ago* (last edited 6 hours ago) (1 children)

Glad you're enjoying it! Linux is incredible nowadays. I've been using it for decades, still have to lookup terminal commands. Way she goes

[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 16 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

I mean, even just the fact that everything seems to simply work (i.e. drivers) without messing around is mind-blowing. Huge kudos to anyone who's helped to build Linux into what it is today.

It'll be interesting to see how my desktop handles it. It's like 15 years old, and I remember always having to mess around to get things working right, especially wifi.

[–] shittydwarf@lemmy.dbzer0.com 18 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

I think Linux looks intimidating when you're first getting into it, but once you realize it's not user-hostile by design like windows, you really begin to appreciate the experience.

[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 9 points 6 hours ago

it’s not user-hostile by design like windows

Truth!

You install Linux, and you start using Linux.

With Windows, you go through a painfully long installation process, then spend another hour debloating all the shortcuts and shit it installs. Then more time closing out boxes for offers. Then you have to harden it before your data is stolen...

Don't get me wrong, Windows has been stable and reliable for me, but this is likely due to the fact that my installation has been tweaked over the years. Using it fresh is a horrible experience. Reminds me of using the internet without an adblocker! LOL

[–] Mobile@leminal.space 5 points 4 hours ago

Ditto. I jumped ship from Windows 10 to Bazzite. That's how I learned about the Universal Blue project. It's working like a charm. Freedom!

[–] Pirata@lemm.ee 11 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Love to read this, I'm exactly on the same journey! Was using Mint until a few days ago, and now I'm on Aurora. There is a bit of a learning curve due to the atomic factor (some apps aren't in Discover), but overall I'm happy with the stability.

Linux is truly wonderful and I look forward to learning more and seeing it grow. Fuck Microsoft, I'm done with their crap.

[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 7 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Yes! As much as I wanted to love Mint and Ubuntu, they just didn't work well for me. Aurora has been amazing.

I am trying to stay with Flatpak apps (for convenience and probably stability, too), but I feel pretty safe installing apps outside of Discover, if needed. Fortunately, most of the stuff I use is already supported as a Flatpak, so it hasn't been a big shock.

I feel like if people started on Linux first, moving to Windows would seem like a massive PITA and a huge backwards! I'll be moving my wife to Bluefin in the near future. She's unbelievably hopeless with computers, but I honestly think it would be easier for her to use Gnome on Bluefin than Windows!

[–] CCatMan@lemmy.one 1 points 2 hours ago

I'm doing the opposite journey and let me tell you that so far Mint is leas stable feeling for me. I may go back to Aurora soon lol

[–] giacomo@lemm.ee 5 points 5 hours ago

hell yeah! ublue has been fantastic.

[–] RickRussell_CA@lemmy.world 6 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Honestly I've daily-driven Fedora, Mint, and Ubuntu and I can't say I saw a fraction of the problems that you did.

I will say that I struggled with PopOS -- despite claiming to be the most Nvidia and gaming friendly distro, it gave me endless trouble with the Nvidia graphics in my gaming laptop. Mint and Ubuntu, though, never had a whiff of trouble. I'm on Ubuntu now with no complaints.

[–] Showroom7561@lemmy.ca 3 points 5 hours ago

I really don't know what the problem was with Ubuntu. I had issues every time I tried... but funny enough, these problems seemed to only happen if I was running a live USB or an installed copy. Ubuntu or Minot on a VM seems to work just fine! LOL

Oh well, I'm quite happy with where I'm at now, but I'm glad that my past issues don't seem common or "normal".