I'm thinking about Linux but....HELP

As a Linux Reddit user i come along many questions from people who heard the name Linux and are eager to try, but where to start ?

linux4noobs
Linux

1 what distro should i use
2 what desktop should i use
3 i have this old laptop....

and so on.

First things first, you are the one who want's to start using Linux, asking others is a way to get information but it's often biased to what "they like" instead of what "you like" or need.
The first thing i think you should do i get a decent usb stick, lets say 125 gb to create a live drive in order to test drive several distro's.
Look for what you like, how does it feel, is it comfortable (do keep in mind the usb is slower), doe it have enough options.

Before you start harvesting all available distro's, i advice you to take a look at Distrowatch where you can find quite some information already.
Next, check the specifications of your computer / laptop, write them down and see what the distro's you're interested in need to run smooth.
With this info you can already filter out distro's that don't fit your needs.

When you made your selection, download the distro of you choice

Verify SHA-256 checksum.

Check if there's no malicious actor replacing the file, it's your first line of defence !!

How to:
In a command line, run the command:

Windows - certutil -hashfile [file location] SHA256.
Ex: certutil -hashfile C:\Users\user\Downloads\distro.iso

Linux - sha256sum [file location]
Ex: sha256sum ~/Downloads/distro.iso

Mac OS - shasum -a 256 [file location]
Ex: shasum -a 256 ~ /Downloads/distro.iso

The command line returns the checksum, if it's ok you can use the file if not, file a support ticket.

You have two options to test the live distro of your choice from USB stick, without changing
anything to your computer.

Option one, write the ISO to the usb stick and boot from it and test it but you can't save anything.

Option two is a extra step, if you have enough ram (check how mutch your distro needs) you can load
the distro completely to ram and install it to the same USB drive you just used to boot.

During boot press F6 or e to acces boot options.
Look for a line that ends with quiet splash and add toram to it.

press F10 to boot

When all runs you can press install
Make sure you choose your USB drive to install it to !!!
If you feel uncertain about installing to your USB stick,
find a Youtube video on how to install your Linux to a USB stick.

Tip: if you run into problems or just need to know something go to Google and type:
Example: Ubuntu 24.04.2 how to ......what ever you need to know

Tip 2: When you ask for help, provide information in your help request !!
What Distro and version
What shell (gnome, kde etc)
What computer
Describe the problem as accurate and if needed ad a cropped screenshot.

The reason why, there's a whole bunch of distro's and versions out there
so just shouting HELP i have Linux on a old laptop and now al my text is upside down and backwards without providing proper information to go on will get you only one thing,

a mouth full of nasty :D

I hope this info help's someone to have a great start and experience with Linux

Anousjka