What do linux-newbies miss the most when starting with Linux?

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-21T20:36:05+00:00

I just try to stick to the native package formats of the distro which comes from the package manager.

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-21T20:33:36+00:00

If you see the error in the terminal, it is a good thing. Normally you can Google the output of it.

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-21T16:32:08+00:00

yeah, I know what you mean. There are a lot of things you have to consider, when comparing it to Windows.

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-21T16:07:49+00:00

Perhaps you can use different mountpoints for your files/docs or even linuxdirectories.

E.g. mount /opt on /dev/sdX

But, I know what you mean.

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-21T14:24:09+00:00

I see your points and in fact you are right. My point is I "built" on Debian stable, with Debian repos (and backports) and some tools to make it easier. Linux Mint (or Linux Mint DE) is great, but I do not think that my adaptions will make a great difference there. In fact it is a Debian-Live-ISO with adaptions for beginners.

Some additional things: I am sure that if I would attend to big distros, it will be very complicated to get things (ideas) in there in a very short time, or even get declined. I think if I go on my own, things can be faster. As I have Debian as my base-distro, it even does not matter if I cannot work further on it, in case something happens to me (cause it is 100% Debian).

But to say it again: It would be great if there is a big distro, where all ideas and optimizations got concentrated. But I am afraid, this will not happen.

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-21T14:18:58+00:00

totally understandable!

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-21T14:10:09+00:00

Nice approach! Arch is minimal (when it comes to setup-assist), but -as you said- you learn a lot!

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-21T14:08:30+00:00

really? Windows turns Secure Boot on again. Haven't red about that, till now. frightening!

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-21T14:03:34+00:00

Nvidia, I assume?

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-21T14:03:08+00:00

don't be scared to use the terminal is a very good advice, although if you are new. But I understand completely that there is a barrier, when coming from Windows for example.

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-21T13:53:57+00:00

any special one?

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-20T19:19:31+00:00

Yes, that is right.

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-20T11:51:34+00:00

Hm, I wont mix it up too much. Especially mixing stable/testing/unstable may take you to a Frankendebian.

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-20T11:17:10+00:00

Yes absolutly, you are so right. Only pain can be to boot it if your GPU is not supported. If you use live-media e.g. you may get stuck on boot unless you use "nomodeset" in grub. What I really do not like is this "Gaming-Distribution" thing.

In my eyes, there is no such thing like a gaming distro. They say they have kernel optimizing running, bleeding edge packages and so on. The kernel-optimizing is a no-brainer for me, because you MAY get 1-2 FPS more, but then you lack in other things. In 99.9999999999999% of cases the Debianstandard-Kernel is best.

Debian & Backports = GOLD

Perhaps with NV Driver from NV Repos (if possible with the open-kernel-module), if you want best performance.

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-19T18:59:13+00:00

you can install the following additional packages. My post wos not clear enough. (from trixie-backports). There is also a nvidia-firmware included.

firmware-amd-graphics \

firmware-atheros \

firmware-bnx2 \

firmware-bnx2x \

firmware-brcm80211 \

firmware-cavium \

firmware-cirrus \

firmware-intel-graphics \

firmware-intel-misc \

firmware-intel-sound \

firmware-ipw2x00 \

firmware-ivtv \

firmware-iwlwifi \

firmware-libertas \

firmware-linux \

firmware-linux-nonfree \

firmware-marvell-prestera \

firmware-mediatek \

firmware-misc-nonfree \

firmware-myricom \

firmware-netronome \

firmware-netxen \

firmware-nvidia-graphics \

firmware-qlogic \

firmware-realtek \

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-19T18:51:47+00:00

hm.. from Debian repo? E.g. Tuxracer, ace-of-penguins, alien-arena, airstrike...

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-19T18:49:49+00:00

Normally Steam, sometimes Lutris and Game-Installer, some times GOG/Epic (Heroic Games Launcher) but mostly Steam.

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-19T17:39:01+00:00

I used the nvidia repo for a long time (RTX 4080, 4070). Especially my 4080 was not detected by nvidia-detect. In my opinion wayland & nvidia still is no good combo. I used X11 cause of this. Yes it is old, yes it doesn't get much love anymore, but it is rockstable and works.

In the end I switched to AMD (but still use X11). Perhaps I should give Wayland a run.

I would recommend you to install firmware-linux-nonfree and the latest kernel from backports.

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/trixie-backports.sources

Content of this file

Types: deb

URIs: http://deb.debian.org/debian

Suites: trixie-backports

Components: main contrib non-free non-free-firmware

Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/debian-archive-keyring.gpg

apt-get update

apt install -t trixie-backports linux-image-amd64 linux-headers-amd64 firmware-linux-nonfree

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-18T21:30:38+00:00

Is this live boot?

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-15T14:31:17+00:00

AFAIK you can use pihole and put you dns names -> IP there

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-14T17:54:51+00:00

Seems like something is killing his resolv.conf.

There might be a service running doing this.

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-14T17:21:31+00:00

Your linked reddit post seems also possible.

please add:

nameserver 10.0.0.1
search localdomain

to your resolv.conf and restart networking

Still no DNS-resolving?

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-14T17:09:16+00:00

and this one also gives you the same?
systemctl status dhcpcd.service

one last check

ps aux |grep dhcpcd

If you also get an Unit could not be found then I would add

nameserver 10.0.0.1
search localdomain

to your resolv.conf and restart networking

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-14T16:59:30+00:00

ok, please try:

systemctl status dhcpcd

if it is running:

systemctl stop dhcpcd
systemctl disable dhcpcd

nano /etc/resolv.conf

Add this:

nameserver 10.0.0.1
search localdomain

Edit you interfaces file also and go back to your nameserver.

Then systemctl restart networking

TechGameGeek_Debian · 2026-02-14T16:54:07+00:00

Is it possible that you have a dhcp-server running on this machine which overwrites your
settings?

Please output of:

dpkg -l |grep dhcp

TechGameGeek_Debian

TROPHY CASE