imo its not that hard, but if its your first time with linux i'd suggest starting with a linux mint/fedora vm or install it on a spare laptop if you have one. this way you could learn it a bit before making the switch

You could also start with a dual boot windows-linux, and then slowly slowly transition to Linux. That's how I started and I never booted windows after.

I don’t want to say it’s hard but it also feels disingenuous just simply calling it easy. honestly depends on the person and what they want to do with the computer

Installing it isn’t hard so long as you’re comfortable following some instructions to load a file onto a flash drive and hitting a couple buttons when your computer turns on

For usability, If you absolutely need specific programs that don’t work on Linux, like anything from Adobe, MS Office, CAD software, a lot of music production software, stuff like that, and an alternative just won’t work in your situation (such as if you need it for work) then unfortunately there’s not really a proper solution there. TONS of programs have a Linux equivalent that’s open source and free, many of them work fantastic, but also there’s many that aren’t ideal. For gaming though, it’s gotten REALLY good. With the exception of certain huge multiplayer games with anti-cheat, almost everything will just work if you use Steam, and most other things you can make work by adding them to Steam as a non-Steam game and clicking a couple buttons

As for cost? It costs no money but will cost you some time when you’re first setting it up and learning the ways it differs from Windows

If installing it doesn’t intimidate you and you don’t need any of the software that’s not supported, then it’s honestly not hard overall but there will be some adjustments

depends on what you use your computer for. for video editing, you propably should learn davinci resolve sind adobe doesnt work, which could take a while. For me, i use my pc for software development and gaming, and the switch was practically "instant", anf i have been using arch (btw) for half a year now. it took maybe a week to get used to the terminal and after then it has been getting better and better. i suppose the "getting used to it" period is faster on something like mint

Usability is the same or better, but this is incredibly subjective. The plus is there is probably a solution specifically what you prefer. If you're coming from Windows, KDE is probably the best starting point. "Desktop environment" is the key word of you want to see options.

Features are a bit more "it depends", generally more user friendly. But depends on the software we're talking about and can vary wildly.

There is no cost.

The only limiting factor for this endeavors in my eyes is that you might need some software that is Windows only. Many windows programs do run fine on Linux, which a lot of people don't realize. You can basically just install them using the compatibility tool "wine". You don't need to do anything for this to work on modern Linux. For games there is "proton", essentially a specialized version of wone. BUT there's software that will not run, or only after a lot of tinkering, or just not well (enough). If that's you, Linux isn't ideal.

If you're not in need of specialized software, just try it. Most Linux can not from a "live DVD". No need to install. Just use it directly. I've you want to keep your stuff (settings and such), install on a 2nd SSD for like 25 bucks.

I’ve been using Linux for more than a decade. Modern Linux is quite easy to start, compared to the old stereotype.

I highly recommend an easy way: for the daily softwares you use, you try to replace them with cross-platform ones, like libreoffice, thunderbird… when you want to try Linux someday, the migration path could be more smooth than you expected

That really depends on what you use your PC for. Are you deep into Microsoft Office suite? Do you play games such as PUBG, Battlefield 6 or other multiplayer games with a particular infringing anti-cheat? Maybe you use software from Adobe? Then no.

Otherwise, installing Linux is easy, if you know how to create a bootable USB-stick.

As a beginner, I would recommend Linux Mint.

My current recommendations.

Just play games? Bazzite.
Just need a work machine? Debian 13.
Want a little of everything? Fedora.

I don't understand your point, the original post is listing the stuff the poster personally uses, which is fine..

Le Chat FTW

Haven't heard of that. Searched it and saw mistral ai. Is that the right one?

i had a bad experience with Qwant, i also wanna try peertube but they gotta let me make an account😭

yeah i already use that too, i didnt rlly register it as an alternative which is why it isnt here ig😅

Linux is Linux. Archinstall+KDE is quite easy to install and get working. Sure, neon or some flavour of debian will be easier. But, it's practically all the same these days. Also, Arch may have better compatibility with some laptops because of the latest Linux kernel. Moreover, if the person is a little tech savvy, the arch wiki is an excellent place to learn about Linux.

Bol (formerly bol.com) is a website where stores sell stuff similar to amazon, only downsides are the increased amount of dropshippers and they only deliver to the netherlands and belgium

I read "American/Big Tech" as things that can be either the one or the other but not necessarily both. Telegram is a for-profit, publicly traded company based in Dubai that recently announced a partnership with xAI to include Grok into its services. Signal on the other hand is based in California and has been entirely non-profit so far. Pick your poison, I guess, but I know what I'm gonna pick.

It's not big and it's not for-profit.

i use arch btw

It's his list. He didn't tell anybody to use what he use

Some Linux ditros are from the US, could be a no-go for some. The Linux HQ is also located in the US btw.

I don't work in IT or anything, but if I had to guess, they are just following what privacy guides say. Here's an excerpt:

Arch Linux is a lightweight, do-it-yourself (DIY) distribution, meaning that you only get what you install. For more information see their FAQ.

But they recommend Fedora before that.

P.S: I don't condone it, just trying to shed some light as to why.

here wego isnt opensource, but it is european (from the netherlands)

Any recommendations for the east european retail? I've ordered way too much from amazom and bol

It's a shame they have started selling more and more of that unbranded cheap stuff. They didn't use to do that but it's hard to find quality items now. I guess it started since they started allowing other sellers to sell their stuff on their webshop.

Is that fully functional, and works with mainstream apps?

I'd recommend Osmand, that's what I use and it's alright for me. It's never sent me somewhere wrong until know. Not everything is on there but then I just add the place, if I can.

Bolt seems European I guess? Maybe a better plan would be to use the local uber alternative, like https://drivers.coop/ for NYC or https://eva.coop/ for Montréal. Three's also https://coopcycle.org/ bût that's for deliveries and takeaways.

...you still need to log in with your Google account.

You don't.

To use Aurora Store, you can either login via your Google account or use an anonymous account.

Isn't there a no account mode for Aurora ?

People say nope to proton and signal in here without offering a better alternative. I'm open to shitting on them (proton CEO really pissed me off by praising the trump admin), but just saying nope to them without functional alternatives isn't helpful.

Why? What's wrong with Proton

Proton is fine. Research before you're speaking FUD.

They're using Signal though, not Telegram.