Approaching the end of window 10 and have no plans on upgrading to 11.

I am trying to find alternatives to applications I regularly use before jumping ship (it is mostly a gaming focused pc) any suggestions?

There’s oculus software for my vr but don’t know what I’m going to do with that

Small update: probably going to do Linux mint as that appears to be the most beginner friendly

Update two: that’s a lot of comments, and Thanks for all the info

  • Semperverus@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    27 days ago

    • AMD drivers: use the built-in MESA drivers that include the official AMD support.

    • Gmail: ProtonMail for the service, Kmail for the desktop client.

    • Chrome: Firefox, or Librewolf if you care about privacy.

    • Office365: LibreOffice for full FOSS or OnlyOfficr for less freedom but more comfort.

    • iTunes: depends entirely on what you use it for, but I buy my music mostly off of BandCamp these days.

    • MuseScore: MuseScore

    • Norton: Why were you using Norton in the first place? It’s practically a virus itself. If you need an antivirus on Linux, you might want ClamAV/ClamTK for something that runs locally only, or Microsoft Defender for Linux.

    • Py-Charm: Py-Charm, VSCode, Vim, Kate/KWrite

    • Remote Desktop to iOS: I got nothin’

    • Star Citizen: Star Citizen

    • Steam: Steam

    • VPN: Wireguard

    • Windows Games: install locally using Wine and then add to Steam as a non-Steam game to use Proton for better support.

    Windows 10: run it in a VM if you still need it, or keep it on a separate SSD and dual boot into that.

  • BombOmOm@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    29 days ago

    Depending on what VPN software you use, they may already have a linux version. All of the big-name ones do, as well as a good chunk of the smaller ones.

    For anti-virus, you don’t need one in Linux. Even for Windows I would recommend using the built-in AV, rather than Norton.

    Edit: I see you use Norton VPN. That one doesn’t have a linux version. Check out Mullvlad or Nord VPN.

    • dan@upvote.au
      0·
      29 days ago

      Most VPNs support Wireguard, which is built in to Linux. If your VPN provider doesn’t have a Linux app, you can usually usually download a Wireguard config file from them and use it on Linux. You can import a WireGuard config into NetworkManager using a command like:

      sudo nmcli connection import type wireguard file /tmp/example.conf

      Then it should appear in the network list in KDE / GNOME / whatever other desktop environment you’re using.

  • Synapse@lemmy.world
    0·
    28 days ago
    Software Linux support
    AMD driver ✅ open-source drivers for CPU and GPU are included in the Linux Kernel and work very well. If you have bleeding edge news hardware, check online in which Kernel version they are supposed and choose Linux distro accordingly
    Web Browser ✅ Chrome/chromium, ✅ Firefox. All are commonly available in your distro software repository by default, or otherwise with Flatpak
    Web-based email ✅ not dependent on OS. Local Email client software are available, one exemple is Thunderbird.
    Office suite ✅ LibreOffice, or anything web-based such as Google Docs will work independently of the OS
    Itunes Many music players/library managers are available on Linux, I don’t have any specific recommendations here, I am self-hosting Jellyfin for my music needs
    JBL not sure what you mean here ? Your headset/speakers ? Don’t see why it wouldn’t work
    Music score reader/editor ✅ MuseScore, I also use Guitar Pro (7, 8) inside Bottle (wine) and it works with some tweaks needed for fixing font bug
    Antivirus ✅ ClamAV, arguable if you need an antivirus at all
    Python ✅ many IDEs are available, a scary amount of Linux distribution rely on Python under the hood 😅
    Remote desktop ✅ RDP protocol (many clients available), ✅ Rustdesk, ✅ anydesk, ✅ TeamViewer)
    Game platforms ✅ Steam, ✅ Heroic Games Launcher (for Epic and GOG), ✅ Lutris
    VPN ✅ OpenVPN and ✅ Wireguard protocols are supported (maybe others), you can find many providers using these protocols. Most ask you to use their app, but digging a little you often have options to configure the VPN connection without installing anything extra. I know Nord on client works on Linux, I haven’t tried other. Mulldav is a very frequent recommendation in Linux communities
    Windows games compatibility ✅ Wine/Proton via Steam, Lutris, Heroic and Bottles. The only thing that will block you is competitive multiplayer games with Anti-Cheat
    • ☂️-@lemmy.ml
      0·
      28 days ago

      @op, they may suggest you to change your kernel version to support newer hardware, don’t do this unless you know what you are doing and can undo it from cli. its fine 90% of the time but can cause weirdness or no boot.

      • Synapse@lemmy.world
        0·
        28 days ago

        This isn’t exactly what I recommend. Only in the case the hardware is bleeding edge, as in, it was released less than 6 month ago, then check in which Kernel version it starts to be supported, as well as check the Kernel version shipping with the distribution you are interested in installing. Distro Kernel version >= Kernel version where the driver starts to be included, no problems. Otherwise, check a distro that has more frequent upgrades.

        Things to check: GPU, CPU, WiFi chip, Ethernet chip. In windows you can find the information in the device manager. On Linux (e.g: test with a live USB) the command lspci with display the information.

        A common case would be: I am interested in Debian because I heard it’s the most stable, will my AMD 5070XT work with that ? Probably not very well, better Check Ubuntu non-LTS or Fedora.

        I am not recommending op to modify the Kernel from the Linux distro, just consider this point in choosing the distro.

  • Snot Flickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    0·
    29 days ago

    AMD drivers: Native, will auto-install as the mesa library, AMD is tits in Linux, it just works.

    Gmail: Thunderbird works with Gmail accounts and can sync the calendar.

    iTunes: Rhythmbox has a very similar layout to iTunes and so should feel pretty familiar.

    Anti-virus: Linux doesn’t really need antivirus in the same way Windows does because it’s more locked down and doesn’t have the same vectors of attack. If someone is hacking a Linux machine, it’s a corporate server, not your desktop PC. If you still think you might need one ClamAV is available for Linux distributions. (.deb for Debian derivaties and .rpm for Fedora derivatives)

    Py-Charm: As others have noted, Python is installed natively and is usually already implemented “out of the box” on a fresh install. No need for a program to run it, Python is just… there already.

    Remote Desktop: Whatever distribution you have will likely also come with a Remote Desktop client. I am unaware of whether or not they will connect natively to iOS.

    Star Citizen: You should be able to add this as a non-Steam game to Steam and use Steam’s Proton compatibility layer to play it. A few years ago they were literally asking for Linux players to test it with Proton and Easy Anti-Cheat.

    VPN: Linux has extensive VPN support including “roll your own” through either OpenVPN or Wireguard.

    Windows Games: Steam, using the Proton compatibility layer, which is essentially WINe, just made a little easier. As with Star Citizen, just add it as a non-Steam game and viola.

    Windows 10: The Distribution of your Dreams is just around the corner… I’ve heard Mint isn’t a terrible place to start.

  • Nibodhika@lemmy.world
    0·
    29 days ago

    AMD Drivers: if your GPU is new enough (which it probably is since you’re playing Star citizen) it should be just magic here since they come together with the kernel.

    Chrome: it’s available for Linux, no need to switch. Although Firefox is very nice too.

    Gmail: not sure what you mean, Gmail is a website, those are available on any platform. If you meant a desktop email client (which honestly I have never in my life used) there’s Thunderbird.

    Office 360: Are you talking about Microsoft 365? Is that not a website too? In any case Libre office is a nice alternative to the classical Office desktop app too in case you want that.

    I-Tunes: A quick search online reveals people use wine to run the Windows version of iTunes, although I would probably consider migrating. Spotify has a native client and there are some places where you can buy music and have it locally for playback.

    JBL: not sure what this is other than a brand for speakers.

    Anti-virus: You almost assuredly don’t need an anti-virus on Linux, as long as you install software through the proper channels (i.e. using the package manager) chances of virus are so small it’s not something to worry about. Most Linux anti-virus serve to check windows binaries in the system to avoid someone using the Linux machine to send virus to Windows users.

    PyCharm: it’s available for Linux

    Remote desktop to iOS: Not sure this is possible even on Windows, I use remmina for remote desktop, it supports several ways of connecting to the other device so maybe see if it works for you.

    Star citizen: Never played it but it seems to be playable with Wine.

    Steam: While steam is available not all games are compatible, check out https://www.protondb.com/ to see the status of any specific Steam game.

    VPN: should be native on Linux, there’s a protocol caller OpenVPN which most VPN providers will give you a Config file for that you can use directly on the network applet on Linux.

    PS: Next time share the list in text, it makes it easier to reply

      • LouSlash@sh.itjust.works
        0·
        29 days ago

        For an average user i would recommend Firefox

        For someone tech-savy and privacy focused - LibreWolf

        Why? Some websites will not work properly on LibreWolf because of how hardened it is (not extremely, but just enough to break some things on websites). I don’t mean it’s bad, it’s just not for everyone atm since many people want things to just work™

  • Peasley@lemmy.world
    0·
    28 days ago

    What do you use iTunes for? That stood out to me.

    Also Chrome works fine on Linux, though Firefox is a better browser even on Windows.

    • olympicyes@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0·
      27 days ago

      For anyone who uses Apple Music, I recommend the Cider app. I believe it costs $3 and you get versions for Linux, Mac, and Windows.

      I haven’t found any MP3 players on Linux that I’m totally happy with. All of them have some trivial issue (eg not displaying Album Artist correctly).

      https://cider.sh/

      • DFX4509B@lemmy.orgEnglish
        0·
        27 days ago

        As I pointed out, if you have an older iPod, eg. like an iPod Video or Classic, or any other player that supports it, Rockbox is a thing you can flash onto it.

        • olympicyes@lemmy.worldEnglish
          0·
          27 days ago

          I do have one and I have a Mac with iTunes Match (iCloud music syncing for iPhone). That said I keep most of my actual files on my Ubuntu machine and might want to experiment with the iPod at some point.

          • DFX4509B@lemmy.orgEnglish
            0·
            27 days ago

            You’ll need an original iPod, iPod Mini, or iPod Video or Classic for Rockbox compatibility. iPod Touch is just an iPhone without the phone, so it’s locked into iOS, but the original iPod, and iPod Mini, Video, and Classic all support Rockbox.

            I presume any generation of iPod Shuffle or Nano is also locked into Apple firmware.