Switching to Linux opens the door to new tools and techniques to make your computing experience easier. But there is a learning curve, and depending on your choice of Linux operating system even navigating your desktop may be a challenge. Here’s how to make your new journey a little more familiar.
Distribution vs. Desktop
Some distributions’ choice of desktop is one of their main ways of shaping your experiences as a user.
“Wait, choice of desktop?” you ask.
Linux offers a wide variety of desktop environments, or graphical shells, ranging from the very fancy to the clean and minimalist. Unlike some operating systems where a single graphical shell is at least the norm (if not the only option), Linux lets you install one or more different options to suit your taste.
Switching From Windows 10
Out-of-the-Box Distro: Zorin OS 12
Zorin OS is a desktop distribution with a focus on business productivity use. It offers a robust set of business apps out of the box and premium support for businesses. To make things familiar for corporate users, the layout of the default desktop mimics that of Windows 10.
Switching From macOS
Out-of-the-Box Distro: Elementary OS
The developers of Elementary OS wrote their own environment, called “Pantheon,” for complete control over the look-and-feel. They created a theme (especially the icon set and window borders) that should make Mac switchers feel right at home, to say nothing of the dock at the bottom-center of the desktop. The applications are also given names that will help new users identify them (e.g. “Mail” instead of something like “Geary”).
Switching From Chrome OS
Out-of-the-Box Distro: Cub Linux
As Chrome OS is built on a Linux base, it’s a quick “upgrade” of sorts to start using Linux. The distribution Cub Linux aims to provide an experience that mirrors Chrome OS, right down to the transparent task manager at the bottom.
Out-of-the-Box Distro: Gallium OS
If you’re looking to replace Chrome OS entirely on your Chromebook, Gallium OS is worth a look. Their interface is also very similar to that of Chromebooks, including an icon-based app launchers and a “search style” application launcher.
For more info visit the source website.
Distribution vs. Desktop
Some distributions’ choice of desktop is one of their main ways of shaping your experiences as a user.
“Wait, choice of desktop?” you ask.
Linux offers a wide variety of desktop environments, or graphical shells, ranging from the very fancy to the clean and minimalist. Unlike some operating systems where a single graphical shell is at least the norm (if not the only option), Linux lets you install one or more different options to suit your taste.
Switching From Windows 10
Out-of-the-Box Distro: Zorin OS 12
Zorin OS is a desktop distribution with a focus on business productivity use. It offers a robust set of business apps out of the box and premium support for businesses. To make things familiar for corporate users, the layout of the default desktop mimics that of Windows 10.
Switching From macOS
Out-of-the-Box Distro: Elementary OS
The developers of Elementary OS wrote their own environment, called “Pantheon,” for complete control over the look-and-feel. They created a theme (especially the icon set and window borders) that should make Mac switchers feel right at home, to say nothing of the dock at the bottom-center of the desktop. The applications are also given names that will help new users identify them (e.g. “Mail” instead of something like “Geary”).
Switching From Chrome OS
Out-of-the-Box Distro: Cub Linux
As Chrome OS is built on a Linux base, it’s a quick “upgrade” of sorts to start using Linux. The distribution Cub Linux aims to provide an experience that mirrors Chrome OS, right down to the transparent task manager at the bottom.
Out-of-the-Box Distro: Gallium OS
If you’re looking to replace Chrome OS entirely on your Chromebook, Gallium OS is worth a look. Their interface is also very similar to that of Chromebooks, including an icon-based app launchers and a “search style” application launcher.
For more info visit the source website.
