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Linux

M

Melee

Gawd
Joined
Jun 10, 2013
Messages
807
I am going to be using Linux with a USB Flash Drive on an upcoming project computer. However, I have absolutely zero experience with this operating system.

Can someone give me a basic rundown on how to install it to the flash drive, install it on a PC, and the most important things to know once it's running as opposed to Windows? I'm quite scared of the change. lol

Thanks!
 
Also, depending on how fast your computer is, download KDE version (most similar to win in my opinion) for capable computer or XFCE version for a slightly slower build. Good luck!
 
Thank You for your help! :D

I will install with and use the same USB for the actual operating system storage, right? Just as I do with my SSD for Windows? This will be a slower build so I guess XFCE would be the best option.

Is Arch a different OS? The main reason for my choosing Linux is it barely takes any space so I won't need a hard drive to use it.
 
If you're still considering distro's, I'd recommend Ubuntu. I don't necessarily think Ubuntu is any better than other distro's, but they have a great community for troubleshooting issues, and there are a ton of ubuntu tutorials. It's a good distro to learn linux before grabbing Arch :D
 
Melee said:
Thank You for your help! :D

I will install with and use the same USB for the actual operating system storage, right? Just as I do with my SSD for Windows? This will be a slower build so I guess XFCE would be the best option.

Is Arch a different OS? The main reason for my choosing Linux is it barely takes any space so I won't need a hard drive to use it.
Click to expand...

Arch is a completely customizable distro. It has a command line install where you choose what you want to install, but it is very technical. If you don't have experience with linux, I wouldn't recommend jumping straight to arch. It'll just frustrate you.

As far as install goes, you can boot it from a cd (or another usb) to install it to the usb drive if you want an actual install. Alternatively, you can create a usb drive in persistent mode.
 
I'm in the process of using arch. It's not necessarily hard - and any enthusiast worth their salt should be able to handle it. But it's by no means Ubuntu or Mint. It's great because it comes with nothing but the essentials - and you build the system you want. On the flipside - that's a lot of work because you have to set just about everything up.

Sounds like you're better off going the Ubuntu route. With Linux - you're best source of info will be the websites and online documentation for your distro. Ubuntu is good for this. Arch wiki is great for anyone running linux. I believe linux mint publishes a "I'm a complete noob at linux" primer guide that was pretty decent.

Good luck! Have patience! Have fun!
 
Ubuntu is the Windows 8 of the Linux world because of the Unity desktop. I suggest you try something based on the Xfce or Mate desktop for a more traditional desktop. Or perhaps Kde if you like shiny. Then there is Lxde or openbox if you want something really light.

Xfce: Linux Mint Xfce, Manjaro, Xubuntu.
Mate: Linux Mint Mate.
Kde: OpenSuse
Lxde: Lubuntu
Openbox: Manjaro Openbox, Crunchbang
 
Yeah, I'd definitely rather have the simplest route since I have no prior experience with any of these. lol

How much storage do each of these take? I'm hoping to just run them off a flash drive so I don't need to buy a hard drive.

Thanks!
 
Linux should be the simplest of these, right? If so, I'll probably just try it first. lol I am afraid of getting in over my head.
 
Melee said:
Linux should be the simplest of these, right? If so, I'll probably just try it first. lol I am afraid of getting in over my head.
Click to expand...

Everything listed is "linux," but they are different distributions. If you want a gui install and go, then I stick by my original suggestion of ubuntu. Print off an ubuntu command line cheat sheet and play around with it until you figure out how the environment works. Then you can move on to another distribution which better suits you.
 
someone11 said:
Everything listed is "linux," but they are different distributions. If you want a gui install and go, then I stick by my original suggestion of ubuntu. Print off an ubuntu command line cheat sheet and play around with it until you figure out how the environment works. Then you can move on to another distribution which better suits you.
Click to expand...

Seconded. Just get Ubuntu and be done with it. Recognize that it's unlikely that everything will "just work" - not everybody's hardware is made to be used with linux / has proper drivers. But Ubuntu will come the closest and allow you to learn what Linux is about.
 
Melee said:
Linux should be the simplest of these, right? If so, I'll probably just try it first. lol I am afraid of getting in over my head.
Click to expand...

I don't think you're grasping what 'Linux' is. Linux is basically the inner kernel of the O.S. Many projects or vendors package the Linux kernel with specific set of software and call it a distribution. A distribution is simply suggested applications and software built to work around the standard Linux kernel. An example of distributions (aka Linux) are:

- Arch Linux
- Debian Linux
- Redhat Linux
- Slackware Linux

So you want to use a version of Linux, I highly suggest something like Ubuntu Linux (based on Debian Linux) or CentOS Linux (based on Redhat Ent. Linux)

Linux has been around as long as the Internet so 99.9% of any issues you encounter in your experience with Linux has been asked x10 over on the Internet. Simply use Google and or ask here and someone will be happy to help you.

If I were you, I would download Ubuntu Linux or Debian Linux. Both are great and fairly straight forward (w/ USB flash drive support)

Good luck!
 
Op>

Linux is a kernel, not an OS.

What people are recommending are "distributions"

A distribution is:
Linux kernel + a set of default packages (sometimes with customization) + a CLI/GUI.
 
that sabayon linked earlier is gentoo based
it's going to give you one of the leanest and fastest versions (or "flavors") of linux out there. gentoo is about compiling only what you need that is tailor made for the device you run it on.

it was my first distro years ago and I learned a massive amount about linux from it. but it's often regarded as one that you need to know (or willing to learn) a lot about what is going on under the hood.

sabayon was like an ubuntu version of gentoo when it first launched. it's was actually very cool about a decade ago when I used it.

but another lean and fast (and actually has a ton of things already installed) is puppylinux. I think it's 100mb. it doesn't take a lot of room, it also runs from memory so it'll be faster than running from the usb stick.

that would be my choice for a liveusb install
 
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