Want to try Linux

So i want to try Linux out and maybe start developing for it or maybe even ditch Windows entirely, but i dont know where to start off with it at all so do you guys have any suggestions?

Im considering Manjaro but im not sure. Here are my systems specs if needed:

http://prntscr.com/clvtnl

 

Well Linux Mint Cinnamon edition and Linux Lite are both user friendly and good distros for Linux beginners.
Tip: don't forget to update the system and enable the firewall sudo ufw enable also try surfing the web from a non-admin account for extra security, and if you really want to make your browser secure sandbox it with Firejail and don't forget script blocker add-ons like Noscript & Umatrix as your first line of defense.

 

This thread has some great advice and handy links

Linux for beginners

 

I started With Linux Mint , then once accustomed to Linux environment , i tried almost all of them to finally chose Kubuntu , sure not the best but i like the Huge UI tweaks it offers

 

How does Zorin OS square up to say Mint Cinnamon for Windows defectors? A feature seems to be you can run Windows apps directly?

 

I have been down the road, still am, heck.

Next week, after extensive pick n choose n test n play n solve-any-issue period Manjaro KDE is to reside.
It suits all my needs, both customization-wise as well as aesthetics, no to mention the software/ applications.

Xfce is also very good.

Use VirtualBox first to test whatever comes to your mind and then off you go

 

@Secondmineboy

It would be easier IF you could try Linux on another PC; not the one running Windows.

 

I do not have a spare PC currently, only a brand new laptop thats meant as replacement that i got for my granny months ago cause i thought hers would break but its still alive for whatever odd reason. But i wont install Linux on there for sure, i would loose the OEM License for example.

 

Linux Mint Cinnamon or KDE edition. Massive repos, easy to install, customizable interface, uses APT (which is second only to pacman IMO), stable due to fixed repos, etc.

I would recommend against Manjaro. Their security policy is broken by design. They delay packages to make it more stable, but that often leaves security vulnerabilities for months. Also, you still need a fairly in depth understanding of configuration just as you would on Arch.

I would avoid Arch as well. Arch is fantastic, but its aimed at you not being afraid to dive into config files, run commands in the CLI, deal with occasional breakage, etc.

 

Secondmineboy,

If you want to be adventurous you could retain Win10 and have Linux as well...

https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/dual-booting-efi-win-10-questions.388740/

 

Last rime i tried dualbooting with Ubuntu i almost killed my partitioning.

 

@Secondmineboy
Looks like you're not ready yet. Nothing wrong with that. Just stick with M$Win for as long as necessary, then come back. No point in us trying to convince you or push you over the edge without your being up for the ride.

 

Were LiveCD's mentioned? If not it's no risk.

 

Let me add a second vote for sampling distros in a virtual machine. It's very easy to install VirtualBox and try them all out.

Also, at some point fairly soon you'll want to read Dedoimedo's "The ultimate guide to Linux for Windows users."

 

No, that's no longer correct. Allan McRae had rightly critisized Manjaro for delaying security updates a couple of years ago but later acknowledged that they improved their policy.

 

Excellent! Thanks for the correction..

I think that makes Manjaro a good candidate then- as long as you are willing to learn configuration and deal with rare breakage, Arch-derived distros are solid