Installing Linux
Installing Linux
Installing Linux
So you've had it with Microsoft and Apple is way to expensive. Linux is the next best choice. So, which one to choose from? There are so many of them out there. Well, Linux Mint is built on Ubuntu, but with an easier to use User Interface. Windows users will feel right at home. If what you're looking for is a little more Mac OS style, Ubuntu itself is an excellent choice. And if you want to have a full Linux experience, with unfamiliar territory, but not hard to learn, Fedora is the best for that.
Now the question remains, which one to use for what? If it's for a business, choose Fedora. Hands down, out of all the Linux distributions, I find Fedora the most secure. That's not to say that the others aren't, but Fedora is super hard to hack, so it's super hard to write malware for. If you are familiar and comfortable with Mac OS, but don't have the money for a new Apple Computer, Ubuntu is great for that. And Windows users will feel right at home with Linux Mint. Now, let's install them.
The first thing you have to do is burn the OS to a DVD, or create a bootable USB. Each distribution has it's own way of making bootable USB's so follow the directions on the website. (Links provided below). Once you have your installation media, if you are using USB, make sure it is the primary boot device in the BIOS so that it will boot from the USB and not the hard drive. If using a DVD, make sure the DVD drive is the primary boot device.
1. The boot loader will load and ask you what you want to do. Just press Enter for the default option.
2. When the desktop loads, you can test out the distribution before you settle for it. Give it a test run but remember, it wont save anything or keep any settings until installed. To do this, click the install icon on the desktop.
3. Follow the questions, leaving everything default, until it asks to connect to the internet. Go ahead and connect but make sure the check box for downloading 3rd party software is left unchecked. If it asks to download updates during install, that's fine.
4. Then continue answering the questions until it gets to asking you how you want to install it. If it detected your operating system, such as Windows or Mac, it will ask you if you want to install Linux along side it. This means that you'll get to choose if you want to start Linux or the other OS at boot. This let's you keep both and you can choose how much hard drive space Linux gets to have. Remember that Linux needs a minimum of 20 GB. You can also choose to erase the disk and only have Linux. Only do this if you are absolutely sure you do not want your other OS anymore.
5. Continue following the questions. If it asks for a password, you don't have to have one but it makes it more secure. If you don't want one, make sure you click the Log in Automatically checkbox at the bottom of the screen.
6. Linux takes a while to install so now is a good time to do some things you've been meaning to do but don't have the time for.
7. Once the installation is complete, it will ask you to press Enter to eject the DVD or remove the USB, do so and then either restart the machine or press Enter once more. Make sure the installation media is no longer connected to the machine or the disk is removed.
8. When the machine restarts, your PC will go to the Desktop. Once there, using Linux Mint, click what resembles the start button in the lower left of the screen and type terminal. (On Ubuntu, terminal is in the sidebar and on Fedora, it's under administration in the drop down menu.)
9. Once at the terminal, type the following command, sudo apt-get update
10. Enter the password or press Enter for none, then allow it to finish.
11. Then, type the next command, sudo apt-get upgrade
12. Allow that to finish and then you are done. You can use the software center to download apps and games.
13. If you are using Fedora, the command you'll need to update the system is sudo dnf update. This both updates the repository (The place where the updates are coming from and getting the most recent versions) and runs the actual update.
To Download Linux Mint: https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php
To Download Ubuntu: https://ubuntu.com/desktop
To Download Fedora: https://getfedora.org/en/workstation/
Please note: No person or company paid me to say anything about any of the topics above. These are my opinions and what I have observed using the program personally. Your experience may vary. I am not responsible for any data loss that may occur. Use my guides at your own risk.