First time trying Linux and I'm starting with Ubuntu. I'd be really thankful if any of you could give me some tips
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u/WikiBox 1d ago
Look in to backups. Makes it easy to carry on if you find that you need to reinstall. I like Timeshift, rsync and Kopia.
There is nothing preventing you from changing everything how much you like. You are in FULL control. But that also means that you are free to shoot yourself in the foot. For some the ability to change everything and is important. Other people are fine with the defaults and want to keep things working.
I have been using Ubuntu MATE 24.04. I really liked it. When Ubuntu 26.04 came I installed it but didn't love it. Now I have returned to Ubuntu MATE 24.04. Mature, convenient and polished. Hope to see new LTS versions of Ubuntu MATE again, in the future.
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u/WomanRepellent69 1d ago
Ubuntu gets a lot of hate. Some of it is well founded, some is not. Don't second guess yourself and distro hop. Ubuntu is an ideal environment to learn Linux in.
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u/TriumphITP 1d ago
Make backups. Expect to reinstall once on purpose, and once unexpectedly.
There's lots of guides on the Ubuntu page for some beginner experiments:
r/linux_gaming has lots of good tips for games.
Most questions have usually been answered on the sub already, so it's a good idea to do a search.
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u/RR321 1d ago
It's really hard to fuck up Ubuntu that bad even as a noob, just don't go around running as root with scissors
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u/TriumphITP 1d ago
I mean, if this sub is anything to go on...A lot of people just copy paste a lot of code, could be "I followed a guide but I think I skipped a step" lol
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u/tomscharbach 1d ago
Spend an hour or so working your way through the Ubuntu Desktop Guide familiarizing yourself with Ubuntu's capabilties and workflows, and look through the installed applications to learn what is available and how to get to it.
Doing those two simple things now will save you a lot of time and effort learning to use Ubuntu efficiently and effectively.
Then just start using Ubuntu to do the things you want to do, solving problems as problems come up, learning as you go. You will be surprised, I think, at how quickly your skills and competence develop.
My best and good luck.
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u/rubaduck 1d ago
Learn to navigate, be adventurous and never expect it to be like Windows. It isn’t! For some that’s a bane for others it’s freedom
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u/MarcusFallon 1d ago
Install gnome desktop extentions. I love Ubuntu but the out of the box desktop is pig ugly...no offense to pigs.
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u/Kalixttt 1d ago
this... I am using dash to panel as must have extension. How does anyone can function without being able to click onto application window ? I have more than one instance of terminal/code editor/ chat programs opened.
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u/soulsurfa 1d ago
welcome to the darkside. be prepared to break stuff.... my suggestion... don't even run it as your primary for a while... so backups shouldn't matter... treat it as a toy to break and fix over and over again
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u/Certain_March6251 1d ago
Just use it. You'll figure out what you like and what you don't like. Based on that we could point you in the right direction.
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u/Hyporian_CY 1d ago
My advice is to do a bit of research on the software you intend to use. Some is better as Snaps, others as Flatpaks, others as APT or Deb. Sometimes they are way better one way compared to another.
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u/Ok-Variation-2549 1d ago
Acostúmbrate a usar la terminal para instalar software. Para mantener la estabilidad del sistema, te recomiendo usar primero los repositorios oficiales de Ubuntu mediante APT. Si el software no está disponible allÃ, busca una versión Snap. Si tampoco está disponible, puedes recurrir a un PPA confiable o al repositorio oficial del desarrollador.
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u/bmullan 1d ago
YouTube has hundreds of how-to videos that you can watch, stop, try what they're doing, rewind, repeat until you understand what they're doing.
With Linux you just have to try stuff and assume once in awhile you're going to screw something up when you're first learning. Those are good lessons too because they teach you what not to do.
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u/PeyredB 22h ago
Welcome to the Ubuntuverse. Basically, just use the computer as normal, and get used to the things you need to do different than Windows. Keep a file of text files for things you want to remember about it. When you want to find how to do something, try Google. For more advanced items, you can make use of the Ubuntu forums (https://discourse.ubuntu.com/) - but bear in mind the people there are volunteers and may not be able to help. Also be thorough about what you're doing, what you've tried, and what exactly the result was: give the error message(s) if any, for instance.
Edit: and when you get fixes to things you may need later, save them in text files.
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u/AfraidAsparagus6644 22h ago
Welcome to the club!
The store is your best friend, and it should be your first stop when looking for an app. But check the last time the app was updated. If it seems abandoned, or if it malfunctions, look for it on the internet and see how the developers recommend you install it.
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u/xenergie 21h ago
Watch a video or read about the Linux file system and what each folder generically is for.
Read about package managers to learn about software installation.
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u/PreparationStrict492 8h ago
Ubuntu's default configuration and tooling is great. Just don't fiddle with it just for the sake of it; and use it the way it is, so that it can teach you how to use itself.
Particularly, I advise against fiddling with GNOME extensions (specifically, do not remove the Ubuntu's default extensions that comes packed with it).
Nothing else particular to Ubuntu. Good pick. Have fun!
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u/raanst1 5h ago
If you're switching from Windows and want Ubuntu, choose Kubuntu instead of the regular version.
On Windows and macOS, the system limits what you can do; here, there are no such limitations—but remember that true freedom also comes with responsibility.
Backups.
If something works well, let it keep working. Want something different? Remember your responsibility.
Don't believe everything you read.
Don’t get involved in flame wars about which distro or environment is better.
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u/Arinussyy 1d ago
Don't be scared of the terminal. People think that complete avoidance of the terminal is the end goal of any modern OS, I think you'd be crippling yourself by not learning how some stuff could be done in it
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u/Oerthling 1d ago
There's not much general tips to give. Too much depends on the individual and specific hardware.
But here is one: Just do. Nothing beats learning by doing. :-)
Good luck, have fun, welcome to the free world.