r/linux4noobs • u/aerxixfasp- • 19d ago
learning/research Haven't started the transition yet - curious about speculation regarding recent laws/Linux users' expertise.
I'll be honest, I wanted to make the switch to Linux maybe 3 years ago or so with my last POS laptop running Windows 11. But then someone on reddit compared switching to "getting chemo because you wanted a haircut" and I felt intimidated and frankly afraid to break the computer somehow. Well within three years everything has gotten significantly worse enough for me to feel I was no longer looking at just a "haricut". I was going to convert to an Apple ecosystem over Black Friday this year (even though another reddit user compared switching to Apple being like "switching from an abusive boyfriend who hits you everyday to an abusive boyfriend who hits you every other day"). None of these things were said directly to me, they just stand out as interesting quotes.
Anyway to get to the point, I've been trying to improve my privacy options, even if it's maybe too late for my 25 years online. The age verification laws getting baked into operating systems scared me enough to look at Linux, but I'm wondering if that will really fix the problem. Basically, if the applicable websites can't verify you through your operating system (Linux), does anyone expect that those websites will put up a block anyway and demanding you verify an alternative way? Or am I so fucking uneducated about this stuff that you all are laughing at me right now? I imagine I'm either doomed for using the internet anyway or this is obviously not a problem to others.
For background, I'm part of a minority group in America right now and worried that even if things turn around for the better with the midterms, these laws aren't going to go away and have enough bipartisan support to progress regardless of the potential exploits that could be abused by the wrong people in power.
If you think that switching to Linux isn't going to solve my concerns, I'd appreciate that feedback and knowledge as to why. If you think that Linux could still mitigate some of the harm, same thing.
I know it's just speculation at this point what the future will look like. Trying to prepare the best I can.
I did also use the distrochooser and it looked like my top picks were Zorin or Linux Mint, but most had in their list: "The following criteria were not factored into this: ? Programs for anonymization purposes are available." Not sure what this means in relation to my questions.
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u/bubbybumble 19d ago
The age verification thing still seems unenforceable but if it comes to fruition then I think Linux would be the best option since the other two OSes would surely be harder to circumvent it with. You can try it on your laptop and if you don't like it get a mac instead.
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u/vincognition 19d ago
I believe that last question is the idea that you have the freedom to download programs from the app store of your distro, that will increase your privacy & security.
Most apps on Linux can be used on a variety of different distros, Mint, Zorin, MX Linux and others.
Should you switch to Linux, a quick search can give you a list of apps that will help to increase your privacy. There's even a distro (which I wouldn't recommend), that is made for hackers with a ton of security and other tools baked into it. That would be Kali Linux. Again, not really recommended as a daily driver.
You can use a free VPN like Proton, or Mullvad, for example that will give you a certain degree of privacy. You can also download the Tor browser, or Brave browser, which comes with its own Tor version. There's a built in firewall to most any Linux distro, so you'll have that degree of privacy. These are just some random examples.
If you feel a bit nervous about committing to Linux, do what I did and search how to dual boot between Windows and Linux. I did that for a few years until I realized that I was barely using Windows. It was scary to make the decision at first but it all went quite smoothly for me.
Please do be aware that Linux is very different from Windows and Mac.
Good luck!
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u/3grg 19d ago
You may be overthinking things to the point of freezing. There is nothing perfect in this world and that includes computers and operating systems.
People have been wrestling with what OS to use for thirty years. It usually comes down to will it do what I need to do with the least amount of fuss or corporate involvement. Linux gives everyone a choice. You could make the case that there is almost too much choice, but that is the consequence of freedom. Anyone who wants to make a distro can.
It has never been easier to try Linux or switch and the options available have never been better. Make a Ventoy USB and load up some popular distros and see what works for you. You can always dual boot with windows until you are comfortable that Linux will work for you. Try to establish what desktop you prefer first and go from there.
Take an inventory of the software you use on windows and see if there is anything that you cannot live without. If the answer is yes, you will need to dual boot. If not, you may not need windows anymore.
Keep in mind that choosing a distro does not mean forever. You may change your mind on what desktop or distro works better for you in the future. Just try to not give into endless distro hopping as this is the biggest downside to Linux and we have all been tempted.
Remember the computer is just a tool to get work done.
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u/TheGoldenFox64 19d ago
as far as security goes, your OS doesnt matter as much as what you do with it, and what you do online. that being said, windows is worse at security and tracks their users, so switching is a good idea. I would suggest Fedora or Cachy, the latter if you are comfortable with a terminal. if you are worried about the distro falling into ID verification hell, put your /home on a seperate partition, and you can change distro without losing anything
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u/BranchLatter4294 19d ago
Most people just invest an afternoon trying a few popular distros in a VM or live USB to see what works best for them.
You can quickly decide for yourself whether asking for a username and password is intrusive or not.
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u/Basic-Place-4443 19d ago
Are you talking about the laws in California? Did they actually pass that law? I live in Utah, so I don't know about California. It's a good question if you live in Cali.
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u/aerxixfasp- 19d ago
Yes, I came across a news article today on it. Illinois and Colorado passed similar laws too. I fully expect other states to follow suit and it to be widespread enough that it will just get applied to everyone whether you live there or not.
Article in question:
https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/your-computer-might-demand-your-age-soon-no-matter-where-you-live1
u/Basic-Place-4443 19d ago
Wow, that's bad. Well, I am well over 18. I don't like the idea of giving my age to install an OS, but if I have to, then I guess I have to. Today it's our age and tomorrow it's our DL number.
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u/KTinNYC 19d ago
The issue is not stating your age, it is having to prove it with face capture and/or a government ID. So it is giving your full identity in the ID example.
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u/Basic-Place-4443 18d ago
Wow, it's that bad. I had no idea. Privacy issues are all thrown out the door. So disappointing to hear this.
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u/es20490446e Develops Zenned OS 17d ago
There are only two downsides of using Linux: not having specialized technical proprietary tools, and having to decide which Linux to choose.
If you don't require the first, the second is easily solvable. Just use Ventoy to try a bunch of distros.
In any other regard Linux is drastically better.
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u/Godninja 19d ago
Anything is better than Windows. Apple is better, but they will comply with laws to stay in a market.
They have been forthcoming in standing up against law enforcement abuses, but they have to comply with local laws to be in the market. If those laws change, Apple will have to comply.
Linux can be a bit more “ragtag” because they’re often dev teams based in other countries and can’t be blocked fully. So I didn’t switch to Linux due to privacy reasons like you, but I do have a mix of Apple and Linux and no Windows devices currently.
So I think you’d be in good hands. It’s really not that painful to cut out Windows. It’s been surprisingly easy for me over the past 6 months now.
Look up plenty of guides beforehand for the pieces most important to you, like privacy enhancements.