My PC is dying, have to get a new one soon.
I want to transition to Linux... but am a bit clueless and worried that I won't be able to access the tools I need.
Any recommendations? OS? office suite? Bitcoin utilities?
Discussion
I run Debian cuz I used to run Ubuntu and it seems like it got shittier with Snap.
For office suite, just use libre.
The only issue I've found lately is Bluetooth.
Most Bitcoin utilities tend to work better with Linux, since they're open source, they're many times made by Linux users.
Just recently switched to Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS and it was a seamless process. All of my Bitcoin stuff including usb/card reader connectivity for signing, Sparrow, terminal access to my node, everything. And for a basic FOSS office suite, it comes with Libre Office. I would also recommend getting a copy of Clonezilla on a USB stick and an external 2TB SSD for easily making images of your whole system onto. If you ever have a problem, you can restore your whole system from an encrypted image.
And it’s great too that when you’re doing the OS install, you can have that whole partition encrypted too. I could leave this laptop on a park bench and there isn’t a damn bit of good it would do anyone wanting to look at my files.
Thank you!
Should I get a laptop with Ubuntu pre-installed or just buy the typical windows machine and install it myself?
All I did was get a Dell 15 3520 with a 12th gen i5 processor, 2TB SSD and 16GB RAM for $700 CAD with Windows 11 Pro on it so I didn’t have to mess around trying to find one with the OS I wanted pre installed. It also gave me a chance to mess around for a few days with windows 11 pro and recoil in horror at the level of privacy invasion it represents.
Most OEM windows license keys are right in the bios so you can always get it back if you ever want to. But you won’t likely ever want to once you see how much more private everything is by default on Linux.
Get yourself a good mouse, 2-3 thumb drives for rescue media and booting into the OS install itself, and a 2TB external SSD for saving images and critical files to, and you’re stylin.
Hot tip. Having access to your retiring internet connected PC throughout the process, and an AI prompt at the ready for helping you through any technical challenges is a quantum leap from trying to do a new operating system install and the initial learning on a lone machine.
Also look for the YouTube video entitled Introduction to Linux Full Course and others for some command line basics and gaining an understanding of how Linux works vs Windows centralized registry model.
Best thing I ever did for computing life. I should have done it years ago.
Syatem76, Purism, Starlabs and a couple more. Always look for options that can disable the Intel management engine (IME).
If you are still on Windows or iOS as the OG you are, you already severlly damaged your security and privacy for years.
It also explains why Bitcoiners ignore Monero. It's because they think they don't need it (yet).
Seriously man, get your act together and do it now.
All the things you think you need are most often spy tools. Get rid of all of them all and check what you really need and then second ask us about FOSS that does the job.