this post was submitted on 19 Jan 2026
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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I’m on board that we need to become independent from big tech. As someone who is fond of the Mac user experience, from choosing hardware to how you navigate through apps, I need a guide to make the switch, so if you know of any great guides for Mac users, I’d greatly appreciate it!

Edit: you have all been very useful. I now know a bit more how to start and what it would mean to switch!

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[–] atcorebcor@sh.itjust.works 2 points 4 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (3 children)

This is really good advice thank you! Someone mentioned using a usb to test. How can I test? It seems like quite a hassle to set it all up just to find out it’s not my thing.

[–] Sneptaur@pawb.social 1 points 23 hours ago

If you're on a Mac, you can likely use an app called "Balena Etcher" to create a bootable Linux USB... if it's an Intel mac, you can just boot that right up by holding option at boot-time. If you're on an Apple Silicon Mac, you are not going to be able to boot most Linux distros there. If you're on PC, you can usually stick the flash drive in and mash F12 at boot-time to get into a menu, select the USB stick, and then it'll boot you into a "live environment" to test with. That way you can just poke around and see if you like it. Almost all distributions come with a live environment by default.

[–] sunstoned@lemmus.org 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

~~Here's a quick how to from Learn Linux TV~~

Wait a minute. Are you wanting to get a different computer? Or boot Linux on your Mac?

[–] mumblerfish@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

Look into a distro that you might like, and find a "live usb" of it, often it is the installation media itself. How it works is basically it is a linux already installed on a disk image you transfer to the usb, and tell the computer to boot from it. Instructions on all this usually comes with the live usb media. Then you usually get a "try it out" or "install" option, or it just leaves you at a pre-configured desktop. Click around, install stuff, browse the web, get a feel for it.