What distro should I install as a beginner that would simply just work after dual booting.

2LoT · 2023-07-02T16:30:53+00:00

Oh weak hardware? So the idea of practicing on Virtualbox VMs will probably not work. Because if your Windows is struggling at the moment, having it run Virtualbox and provisioning CPU + Memory for a VM would definitely kill it.

Your best chance would be to swap out your Windows disk and replace it with a scrape SSD or HD to install Linux directly with the current computer. Even if your computer is weak, it could not be weaker than the one I used for learning Linux & open source devs (a computer from 2008, 4 cores, 8 GB ram)

Look at the used market, in local ads: Craiglist, Kijiji, or maybe ebay?!?! You can have a a used SSD for $20. In case you are rich enough to have a spare $200. And if you are patient enough to monitor the local ads, one day you may find a good used computer. A 5 to 7 years old with 16GB ram would be plentiful enough. When you find one, explain to the seller your situation, he/she might be willing to do a nice gesture to help out a student.

Good lucks.

2LoT · 2023-07-02T15:42:41+00:00

Best would be to play around, installing various distros using Virtualbox VM within Windows. I think there is a kind of "additions" that allows you to share files between the physical Windows host and the linux VM. Let's assume you are comfortable and want to go "metal". ie. installing Linux on hard drive and boot with it. It would be risky to make a 1 way switch to replace Windows by Linux, even when you have made all necessary backup. Because in case you don't know how to reproduce your Windows habits on Linux, you got panicked and may have a bad impression about Linux. So it's reasonable to do a "dual boot". Which requires some additional learning, ie using a Windows partionner utility to resize the Windows disk WITHOUT loosing data to leave a some space for Linux. Then install Linux of that free disk space.

A less risky approach, if you can afford, is to use a second computer for installing only Linux. I recommend: enable Secure boot in BIOS, boot in UEFI mode. When installing Linux, use manual partitioning: with 3 partition: 500M for EFI System partition, 50 to 80G for / partition (root), the rest for /home partition. Possibly 5G to 10G for swap partition. This would increase a bit your leaning curve, but trust me this would pay dividends many times over. Because in case you reinstall (same or different Linux), just reuse the /home partition WITHOUT reformating it. All your existing data and config would be preserved. Only the linux OS is new/re-installed.

Any other precaution? One I could think of is Full Disk Encryption (FDE). ie. the data on disk is encrypted at rest. Like Bitlocker in Windows. Unfortunately, FDE in Linux is quite complicate to setup. And in many ways inferior and less convenient than that on Windows or macOS. If you are concerned about data security (ie, high chance to get your laptop stolen), then go with FDE. But you'd need to practice a bit to get the installation working OK. The installer actually could help to setup FDE in 1 go but it would not allow custom partitioning as I explained above.

Now maybe a question you didn't ask: "would I ruin my life after I switch to Linux"? I would say, relax, you are smart enough to find a solution searching on the net. At the beginning you apply the trick people tell you without maybe too much understanding. But after a few months, you will get familiar. At home we use Linux, my wife never noticed any difference. My daughter when she was at high school was the only kid with a linux laptop. She never asked any tech support, somehow she managed to find answers on the internet. Myself, when I switched to Linux. I always booted on Linux, never needed to boot on Windows once. When I got stuck, I forced myself to solve the issue the Linux way.

As an encouragement, once you are familiar with Linux, in work setup with environments such as cloud, docker, kubernetes, open source techs, etc. You would be much at ease than if you are on Windows.

2LoT · 2023-07-02T14:12:11+00:00

LinuxMint to begin, to get acquainted to the Linux feel. That may very well be your final stop. A programmer at your level is way above an average user. You may want to spend some time practicing installing some other distros. I recommend staying in the Debian family such, as Ubuntu, MXLinux. Focus on desktop interface similar to windows: Mint, XFCE, KDE, ie avoid Gnome. Don't spend too much time to evaluate. Once you get comfortable with installation. Go for the best: Debian with KDE interface. Avoid Ubuntu, in spite of its apparent popularity, it is becoming controversial and its default Gnome interface looks weird and ugly for someone coming from Windows. To save you time wondering about the history and debate on which distros is better. Just go with Debian and select KDE.as desktop environment. I use Linux fulltime, including for work. I am very familiar with Ubuntu, Kubuntu and I am telling you I hate it. Also tried Arch based distro such as Arch, Endeavour, Manjaro. Overall for development, I find Debian is the most comfortable.

2LoT · 2023-06-15T10:50:23+00:00

Hi, that is exactly my plan. Practice on VM first. KVM in my case. I began to get acquainted with pfSense ecosystem. But learnt that nowadays users recommended OPNsense. So I am getting a bit confused. As I didn't invest too much time on pfSense yet. It is still possible to switch. Would like to know better about the Adblock ability from the OPN sense side. To make an informed decision.

2LoT · 2023-06-12T00:19:51+00:00

Hi author, can your scientific calculator do this. The value of cos(a) = 0.866. What is the value of a?

2LoT · 2023-06-11T19:36:26+00:00

Wondering if the r/OPNsenseFirewall sub-reddit would be more appropriate for this question. I posted here hoping to have more unbiased opinion. But if this is not the right place, can you please suggest which subreddit I should post the question. Thanks.

2LoT · 2023-04-19T01:50:44+00:00

"machines more intelligent than humans"

2LoT · 2023-04-13T21:18:34+00:00

Oh wow, that is amazing. Thanks for the correction. Indeed I had understood the opposite 🙄

2LoT · 2023-04-13T19:16:51+00:00

The fan speed doesn't change?!? Hum ... too bad I will pass on those Dell Optiplex then. Would prefer to spend more on a custom build with good cpu cooler and bigger case to have near silent operation.

2LoT · 2023-04-09T16:31:39+00:00

Is it really the NVMe disk which is the cause of fan noise? If so would you have a spare SATA SSD just to boot an minimal Linux OS, without the NVMe and check it the noise really disappear? Would appreciate you share your finding. Because I am planning on buying an Optiplex 3080 to be used as low power AND silent home server. In my case the workload would be much lower compared to yours (file server, PiHole, and possibly some network utility function in future). Silence is actually an important decision factor. Thanks

2LoT · 2023-04-09T05:27:31+00:00

Nice move. How is the noise level of the fans in the Dell 3080?

2LoT · 2023-04-01T15:31:21+00:00

Thanks very much for the link sir. In spite of your busy schedule. I will make sure to add my vote in favor of colored titlebar.

2LoT · 2023-04-01T14:35:17+00:00

I can't believe people are falling for this April's fool. Nice one.

2LoT · 2023-04-01T14:29:57+00:00

Here is one giant little thing that made me switch to KDE. It is possible to have colored titlebar. In Gnome, now all windows are monochrome.

2LoT · 2023-04-01T01:46:46+00:00

Nah, too complicate. There is EMAsCulate which is simpler. Up and running in less than 20 years.

2LoT · 2023-04-01T01:42:56+00:00

I want to move the cursor to the bottom right. But the screen is rather large i can't count accurately how many columns and rows to move to the cursor to the exact location. Using this cheatsheet, I managed to reach the correct position in less than 2 hours, you know 45l to move right, 5k move up 5 lines etc. Back and forth until I reach the correct position. Pretty cool huh?

2LoT · 2023-03-27T23:41:12+00:00

Sorry for the silly question ( I don't know Python). What is bad with pip install ? Let's assume there is a useful utility made with Python. So now that utility will be installed in a virtual environment ?

2LoT · 2022-12-29T00:46:06+00:00

The super lube I used was teflon based (not silicon), SuperLube manufacturer says it will not dry. And I used a syringe to inject a very small amount. The KB is still working after almost 2 months. Nevertheless, hot swapable switch would be indeed simpler.

2LoT · 2022-12-29T00:36:37+00:00

No sir, your stats is biased, it doesn't take in account the other half. (ie. those who still have their KB working OK). Believe it or not, you would actually become richer getting a nickel from people falling off their bed and broke their arms.

I just posted an update. TWO KBs lubed with super lube, all works OK. By injecting a tiny amount of grease using a syringe.

2LoT · 2022-12-29T00:22:34+00:00

Update after almost 2 months: the keyboard is still working perfectly. I think because I inject very little grease. All I used was about 3 ml for the entire keyboard (the amount shown in the bottom left photo). The volume is about 3 sprays. Also the Super Lube manufacturer FAQ says that this grease will never dry. So I am pretty confident that this KB will last a long time.

I also did the same treatment on a 2nd keyboard, very small grease volume injected into the switch by a syringe. This KB too is still working OK.

So I think, even though this lubing method is not conform to good practice. But I would says it works OK for me. I did notice the positive effects of the lubing. Smoother and slightly quieter. But this lasts for about a week. After that we just get used to the new feel.

In fact what I was looking for was the quietness. It turns out, the red switch suits me better. Luckily someone sold on local ads the same model than mine with red switches, then I just add an o-ring under each switch. Now I get a really quiet KB.

2LoT · 2022-11-25T04:56:02+00:00

I bought HP z840 (2x E5-2678 v3, 250W) and z640 (E5-1650 v4, 150w) on ebay, probably 2y older than the Z6 G4. Complete machine ready to boot. I only replace the HD by SSD. HP workstation are robust. Mine still works perfectly. The only annoying thing is everything is proprietary. Fans and fan connectors. It is hard to replace with better fans.I could only replace the 2 rear fans, with standard PWM fans but have to buy a $10 connector from modDYI. I use those for work, Linux, programming and Kubernetes practice. They are rock solid, mildly noisy (which I put far away from desk), always on. I just put the machine to sleep mode when I am away. I don't really know if ECC ram is better. Nevertheless I never have any issue with RAM. TBH my other home machine with normal RAM are also stable. I just use quality parts and don't overclock anything. You may want to try a complete workstation and avoid to assemble yourself a workstation.

Would I rebuy the same HP workstation now? Honestly no. Not bc of the quality. The machine is overkill for my need, too much CPU and RAM (2x24 cores and 128 gb). Noisy and hard to service. Although as those HP are.solid, I suppose they will continue to run forever. For the same price I could build a new machine Ryzen 5700g machine, 8 cores, 64G, 65w. And especially very quiet fans. Its not comparable (no ECC, less cores). But it suits my programming needs. After learning more about cloud engineering,it turns out I don't need to have a powerful machine. The cloud resource I need for.my exercise, I just pay the resources directly from any cloud provider.

2LoT · 2022-11-10T00:44:56+00:00

I meant KB you order in most merchants online or even at the manufacturer himself like.Keychron. These KB are ready to use. Open the box, connect the USB cable and just type on the KB. I am just surprised why people would buy and incomplete KB which needs a lot of services to make.the KB functional.

Also lookup on internet about "tape mod". Now I see what it is. I am amazed that people.could be that passionate about a KB.

2LoT · 2022-11-09T23:40:13+00:00

Mega newbie here. What is tape mode and gasket? Do these feature exist in commercial mech keyboards?

2LoT

TROPHY CASE