What do I need to know to run Linux as my desktop?

[techlists at phpcoderusa.com]

On 2022-04-17 08:43, Matthew Crews via PLUG-discuss wrote:
> On 4/17/22 07:14, Keith Smith via PLUG-discuss wrote:
>> Had to move to Windows for business reasons about 5 or 6 years ago.  I 
>> see no reason that I cannot return to Linux on my desktop.
>> 
>> I use Ubuntu for servers so I am thinking of moving to Ubuntu desktop 
>> which is Gnome.  Please no flame wars.
>> 
>> My question is what do I need to know to run Linux as my desktop.  I 
>> know I will need to understand and have working knowledge of CUPS, 
>> however what else?  I am hoping to be able to get my scanner working.
>> 
>> What else?
>> 
>> I am using VirtualBox so I can do a trial run.
> 
> The only three things that you really need to watch out for are age of
> hardware, networking drivers and graphics drivers.
> 
> Age of Hardware: Ubuntu doesn't usually work with cutting edge
> hardware, but anything thats around a year or so older should be fine.

Should not be a problem.  I am using a box I might have bought 8 years 
ago.  It ran Linux Mint just fine.  I did have to add a graphics card 
because Dell only has one port on this box and I wanted to run multiple 
monitors.

I have a bunch of old but adequate hardware.  I do not plan on replacing 
anything until it is no longer viable.  Might be another 5, 6, 7, 8 
years, maybe longer.

I have 2 - i5's with 4 cores, 16GB of RAM, and SSD drives.  Maybe they 
will last me until I die... I'm old but I do not plan on dying anytime 
soon.

> 
> Networking: Since you plan on using Ubuntu, give it a go with the live
> CD and see if networking works out-of-the-box. If it does, you are
> golden.
> 
I'm using VirtualBox so I can do the trials.  I do see the value is a 
live CD run.


> Graphics: If you are using NVidia graphics, it can be a bit
> complicated to get up and running, but (IIRC) Ubuntu does a good job
> setting you up. If you are using Intel graphics, you will work out of
> the box. If you are using AMD graphics, the main hiccup is if you are
> using an older card. Newer cards should just work. Older cards (more
> than 5 years) will require some work.

Not sure what card I have.

Thank you for your feedback!!

> 
> -Matt
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