u/HemiRoh

Sorry if this is the wrong sub to post this on (i hardly use reddit and mostly just try to find people who asked what i was going to, but this is way too specific)

I'm doing some research on weather Linux could fit my mindset and setup (mostly out of curiosity than out of any frustration with Windows)

I might be looking at linux though thorn-tinted glasses, so please forgive me for any ignorance (I've used Windows all my life, so i'm very new to this)

1. Terminal Anxiety

I know some might say "the terminal isn't scary" after years of use, yes. But i'm someone that needs good visual indication on what's happening and guardrails, i try to avoid the Windows terminal and Powershell too, its terrifying. i like graphical interfaces

Typing sudo and your password becomes muscle memory instead of a meaningful warning, same as constantly giving Windows admin rights to run programs but the difference is, its not on the same system-level where i can nuke my PC, sure I might get a virus that does this, but i'm careful with what i install onto my system.

On Windows i don't have to be on the same system-level where i can nuke my system to change a couple of settings on an application or change a file path

On Linux i could accidentally nuke my system with [rm -rf] because I mistyped a path. No "warning about to delete system or are you sure?" message, just blink and a dead PC. That's anxiety-inducing, not empowering. A simple command could break something and i would have no idea why.

though immutable/atomic Distros might alleviate this fear since those Distros might not even allow me to type that in the terminal? but i might be wrong on that and misunderstood what they are.

"You don't need to use the terminal". Since Linux has been terminal first, every Distro expects you to have at least some knowledge on it from my understanding. But if i'm wrong please let me know, I don't want my preconceived notions to get in way of potentially getting a better OS. If you can tell me a method to move /home to a different drive only using a GUI. That would be great.

from what i understand /home is the equivalent of Windows' documents folder and that can be moved with ease via GUI

2. Accessibility

there are things i need that i have on Windows that i'm not sure have alternatives on Linux

Chrome remote desktop. the closest thing to this I can find is KDE Connect or other distro equivalents, it's good. But missing one crucial feature, in Chrome remote desktop you can see your desktop on your phone itself. "Why not just look at the screen?" i have a disability that renders me unable to get out of bed on my own and while i wait for someone to get me out, i use my pc in this way.

Monitor mirroring. i have 4 Monitors though i only use 3 when sat at my desk, 1 is facing my bed for the previously mentioned stuck in bed situation and i use Monitor mirroring to make sure nothing is left on the bed facing monitor when sat down.

EqualizerAPO. I have a lot of effects on my microphone, since i breathe from my mouth and don't want any of that getting picked up since i know how obnoxious that can be and is very hard not to do, since I've been breathing through my mouth my whole life.

ReWASD. i only have one functional hand so having remapping tools is a crucial thing (preferably having per application remapping)

Speech to Text. on Windows you can hit Win+H for speech to text, when I discovered it, it was an absolute godsend. i know english, i'm a native speaker, i could type it out no problem sure. but written english is hell. it trips me up so bad, so often, that its way faster to just speak it.

I also use Clip Studio Paint and FL Studio

though from what I can tell, FL Studio seems like it might work on Linux? (though wine or proton or whatever the thing is)

not too sure about CSP though

3. Accessories

I have a couple razor peripherals

Keyboard: BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed

Headset: Kraken V3 pro

Mouse: Naga left handed edition

now the keyboard and headset could easily be replaced with more compatible stuff, but the mouse is an absolute must. i don't think there is any other company that sells a Left handed mouse with 12 programmable buttons on the side unfortunately and this isn't just for gaming purposes, it makes programs way more accessible to me, particularly ones that require you to hold ctrl or Alt while moving your mouse. so i need that to work

i also have a drawing display a Huion GT-191 v1 (its discontinued), I basically use it as a substitute for paper, I am not a professional artist by any means. I am more of a hobbyist when it comes to that. i might end up using it like once a month.

i also have an xbox elite controller for games, the stick placement works well for my case

4. Installation Control

I like organizing my filesystem obsessively. On Windows, I keep my OS drive as clean as i can and install programs to dedicated drives in organized folders (My Programs, Software Data, etc.). Linux doesn't let me pick where things install - the package manager scatters everything across /usr/bin, /usr/lib, /usr/share automatically.

Granted not every Windows program lets me pick the install location, but in my experience, thats been a big minority of programs

Linux not allowing you to pick the location seems like a big oversight to me personally. what happens when the hard drive is full? i can't get another drive and go, you install things here now. on Windows this isn't an issue.

5. Windows works well enough at the moment (but the future isn't looking so bright if microsoft continues with this chicanery)

Updates don't disrupt me

I'm not a "I need privacy" person (nothing wrong with that, obviously. I'm just not personally)

Everything I need works fine on Windows

The bloat concerns are managed by keeping my OS on a separate drive

The AI integration is a mess but i just don't touch it

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bottom-line though. i'm more or less just curious, if my setup would even work on Linux. I probably will have to switch regardless if Windows goes really down hill in the far or near future.

My CPU and GPU are both AMD and i think those play well with Linux

but anyway, any Distro and software recommendations?

i know i'm probably asking a lot and i'm not expecting any miracles, frankly i'll be surprised if everything works. Regardless i wish you well in this war against Windows, it might make Windows better by proxy if you get some momentum. But that might just be wishful thinking.