Sell Me on Linux

I posted this as a comment in another post but when I got done I realized it would probably just be better as its own post. I’m sure I could find the answers I need myself but frankly I trust the userbase here more than most online articles.

As my username hints at, I’m a lawyer. I’m considering starting my own firm as a solo practitioner. I need a computer and/or laptop for it, and as a new business my budget would be pretty tight. I’ve mostly only ever used windows, but I’m getting fed up with the bullshit, so I’m considering going with Linux.

I assume Linux is capable of doing everything I need, which is primarily handling word documents, viewing PDFs, watching evidence videos, and online research. But my concern is that some of the more commonly used video types might have trouble on Linux, or that some of the word document templates I use in Windows might have compatibility issues.

I’m also nervous about using an OS I’m not familiar with for business purposes right away.

So I guess I’m asking a few questions. What is a reliable yet affordable option to get started? Are my concerns based in reality or is Linux going to be able to handle everything windows does without issues? What else might I need to know to use Linux comfortably from the get go? Is it going to take a lot of time and effort to get Linux running how I need it to?

For reference, I do consider myself to be somewhat tech-savvy. I don’t code or anything, but I’ve built my last two home computers myself and I’m not scared of general software management, I just don’t make it myself.

So, yeah, sell me on Linux, please.

asexualchangeling, (edited )

I don’t tend to use word documents much anymore, but from what I’ve heard, of the 2 main open source document viewers Only Office probably has the most compatibility with word, and iirc it recently added PDF support

UsernameNotFound,

Get a MacBook and use apple software if you are a lawyer.

Yerbouti,

You sound more of a Windows 11 type. Linux is free (free as freedom, not free beer), we dont have to sell you anything.

Mechaguana,

Its fun to open the terminal and learning the language of the computer, even if it disagree with you sometimes. Most times. Also i can do anything, including messing it up irreparably!

eah,

Here's a good discussion on HN about this, including comments from lawyers.

Kidplayer_666,

Regarding the tools, you must take into consideration the fact that you do not have Microsoft apps on Linux (unless you run them through wine or online, which is not ideal). However there are several alternative tools, either open source (libre office-imperfect compatibility, Onlyoffice desktop-better compatibility, incomplete feature set) or closed source (either WPS office or FreeOffice). PDF is an annoying one as unless you feel comfortable with libreoffice draw or you want to do more basic editing, tools for PDF on Linux are kind of lacking

mateomaui, (edited )

I’m also nervous about using an OS I’m not familiar with for business purposes right away.

Install the latest version of VMware Player (17.5) on your current OS, then install linux distros on virtual machines to figure things out first.

If you settle on any you like, make a full disk image backup, before repartitioning to install linux as a dual boot setup and try it on hardware that way.

Keep the Windows partition around, if nothing else just for games or apps that don’t work on linux, or as your backup working profession setup.

edit: some will recommend VirtualBox instead, but for me (on Windows at least) it always resizes on startup incorrectly and obscures part of the desktop, so I have to manually resize on every VM boot. VMware does it properly each time for me without issues.

nfsu2,
@nfsu2@feddit.cl avatar

Linux is usually light compared to windows, and no nonsense bloatware and faster to run. Plus is customizable.

If you are a lawyer I assume you are looking for stability and prefer simple over complex. So my guess is that Debian(since is the most stable rock solid distro) would suit you, and most importantly is the desktop environment, if you are looking something similar to Windows I would choose KDE Plasma and if you like MacOS interface then Gnome. Both of them are very different but customizable, I find Gnome is simpler and less busy and Plasma is full of features but busy IMO. Oh and Cinnamon desktop environment is best of both worlds I think. If you are concerned about security and encryption then I’m afraid I can’t advice you on that. Finally I recommend looking up in “distrowatch” if you are looking for something most specific, most distros come with Libre Office as some of the comments point out. There are some distros specifically made for business wich I would recommend if you go big.

Here is a post I made of my desktop with Gnome so that you can see how it look and feels.

feddit.cl/…/39b62b9a-ebfa-4d4e-a944-4a58cc765357.…

Secret300,

For me I just don’t like relying on some company. So if you don’t like getting fucking in the ass by tech giants use Linux

Mandrew002,

That’s human trafficking, I’m not into that

constate368, (edited )

It’s about being in the free software ecosystem, which is really a licensing issue.

Forcing people to contribute their modifications to software when they are editing free software ensures we’re never dependent on the decisions of one entity. This is what the GNU General Public License (GPL) is all about.

If we don’t like what someone did, we can take that part out and redistribute a better version that we can continue to modify. This might not matter to someone who doesn’t program, but it should.

You don’t have to be the one to get your hands dirty with code. Just being a user in the ecosystem opens you up to these benefits. Other people are going to take advantage of them, and you can just piggyback on their work.

I, personally, think it’s always just a matter of time before businesses make products worse by charging more/giving less. Look at Adobe. Look at Microsoft. Look at Apple. All of them want to lock people into endless subscriptions because they’re dependent on their ecosystem. What happens when Adobe decides they’re not charging enough for photoshop? They charge more, and everyone just has to deal with it. Same goes for Office. Same goes for Apple, they just do it the old-fashioned way by charging for the latest versions and making you buy new hardware.

penquin, (edited )
@penquin@lemmy.kde.social avatar

Linux is stable if you use a distro that’s known to be stable, example: Linux mint. This is one of the “just works” distros. There are a couple, but I highly recommend mint. Linux can do all of what you need done, from documents, PDFs to viewing all kinds of videos. I’ve never once run into any issue doing any of that. You have libreoffice and onlyoffice that have amazing compatibility with MS office. If anything, you can use the MS office suite online and call it a day. Hell, you can use Google’s office suite, too. PDFs? Zero worries. Videos are good, too. We do have VLC which basically plays anything you throw at it. However, since you have a business and want to make sure things always work, I do recommend that you keep at least one windows machine in the office for just in case. I don’t have a business, but I’ve always had this one laptop that runs windows. I debloated the shit out of it. Blocked all of the telemetry using Microsoft’s own firewall and it’s sitting there for just in case.

Edit: forgot to mention that you are always welcome to come here and ask if you needed help. I find the Lemmy Linux community to be extremely helpful. Everyone jumps in to help every time I had a question.

HubertManne,
@HubertManne@kbin.social avatar

zorin os is an out of the box distro that will have all the applications from the start and maximum windows look, feel, and compatibility. https://zorin.com/os/

dvdnet89,
@dvdnet89@lemmy.today avatar

if you are using latest nvidia hardware and one of your favourite software does not work on Linux. just stay away from it

electric_nan,

If your budget is tight, get a used/refurb, but recent model Thinkpad (T or P series) from EBay. Install Linux Mint (I say Debian Edition, since that is Mint’s future). It comes with LibreOffice preinstalled. You may want to install standard Microsoft fonts, which aren’t included for licensing reasons. You can search for how do do this.

TrickDacy,
@TrickDacy@lemmy.world avatar

Debian edition? Never heard of this and apparently neither has their website… Is it replacing Ubuntu as the base with Debian?

electric_nan,

www.linuxmint.com/download_lmde.php

It’s a version of Mint they have been maintaining in case Ubuntu ceases to be a desirable base for the distro. With things like over reliance on Snaps, and advertising paid security updates in the terminal, it seems like it won’t be very long until that point is reached. I love Mint, but dislike those specific aspects it brings from Ubuntu, so I have found LMDE to be the perfect solution.

TrickDacy,
@TrickDacy@lemmy.world avatar

Thanks so much! This is a really cool idea. I may have to try it out sometime

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