this post was submitted on 04 Sep 2024
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Is Linux (dumb)user friendly yet? (lemmy.ca)
submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by Noved@lemmy.ca to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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So I'm building a new computer before the end of the year and lemmy is obviously pushing me towards Linux.

I am not computer savvy, I have a family member that will help me set up my PC, but I do not want to be calling/messaging them every day when I want to open a program.

Basically my question comes down to: can I operate a Linux PC these days without needing to troubleshoot or type code.

I use my computer about once a week for a few hours I would say, so any time spent troubleshooting is time wasted.

Thanks!

EDIT: since a lot of people are asking what programs I typically use, I'll just list my most used programs.

Word, Excel, ect(I'm fine with alternatives)

Spotify

Gimp (would have been a make or break, so I'm glad it's supported)

Brave browser (browser is a browser)

Steam

Discord

I would say that while I could figure out how the kernels work, I'm at a point with computers these days where I don't have the time. My priorities fall with a seamless daily experience. If I have the time to figure something out I can, but ideally my day to day usage being unbotherd is what I'm after.

A lot of the comments so far have been helpful! I'm definitely going to give Linux a fair shot with my new build, probably start with Mint.

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[–] elxeno@lemm.ee 15 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Mint should be pretty easy to get used to, solid choice IMO, as for the programs

Word, Excel, ect(I'm fine with alternatives)

If you're fine with libreoffice, no problems

Spotify

Don't know.

Gimp (would have been a make or break, so I'm glad it's supported)

No problems

Brave browser (browser is a browser)

Not sure if there's a flatpak, U might need to add a PPA, but it's just a one time copy/paste a few commands.

Steam

Works fine, but some games might not run or require some tinkering, check games u play on protondb.com

Discord

It's a bit annoying because they require u to have the latest version all the time, it won't auto update, and the package might take a while to update, so u either download and update manually every time (it will be a different install than the flatpak package) or use the web version, peraonally i just run a script to download and extract the tar.gz version when there's an update.

[–] red@lemmy.zip 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

brave has flatpack , and you don't really have to do all that to update discord just go to software store and click update?

[–] elxeno@lemm.ee 1 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I don't use flatpak but i assume there's a delay between discord and flatpak updates, or even if there is no delay

just go to software store and click update?

This would update everything, right? That's usually not what i want when i'm opening discord.

[–] Antiochus@lemmy.one 2 points 2 months ago

I've had no problems with the Discord flatpak and updates. I use a KDE variant of UBlue and the package manager prompts me to update all flatpaks when I start the computer (whenever there are updates available), which I do with one click.

For a new user, i would think that individually managing package updates is probably not a desired workflow.

[–] red@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 months ago

even if there is delay discord won't force you to update until there is update in flat pack, and no software store won't update everything you can update whatever you want, and you don't even have to use flat pack version to update with software store. most distros allow you to update apps installed through package manager too

[–] arirr@lemmy.kde.social 4 points 2 months ago

There are also 3rd party interfaces which are basically web client wrappers that add some features.

[–] wuphysics87@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Could you share that script with op?

[–] elxeno@lemm.ee 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Sure

#!/bin/bash
DIRNAME=$(dirname -- "$( readlink -f -- "$0"; )");
cd "$DIRNAME"
wget -O discord.tar.gz 'https://discord.com/api/download/stable?platform=linux&format=tar.gz' && tar xvf discord.tar.gz && rm discord.tar.gz

Edit: DIRNAME is just to find the script location and download/extract there, in case u call the script from somewhere else