What are some things to know / keep in mind when helping someone install Linux?

Installing for myself, I have to deal with my choices (like my recent “update without the recommended backup hoping my files are there when I get back”, Pop!_OS 24.04 COSMIC). But for others, I’dn’t like risking them facing my consequences.

Any tips are welcome!

Edit: for context, I was asked for help on that. I am not converting someone just outta nowhere.

And my worry is less with everyday usage. They can adapt, or, assuming dual boot, boot back to Windows. But we prolly need to choose a distro, and not brick their laptop. Two important parts!

Also, we in CS, so… make of that what you will

  • CerebralHawks@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    1·
    2 hours ago

    I cautiously agree, I feel like I’d be fine with Ubuntu… but I’m also tech savvy. So I have to be cautious I do not assume my expertise is shared by others. What might be a speed bump for me might be a show stopper for someone else.

    I work with people who don’t understand why my iPhone has features theirs don’t, looks differently from theirs. Like I’m some kind of hacker. Um, no, I just installed the Liquid Ass update last month. I mean that’s when it was publicly released. I’ve been in the public beta since July. But users have had access to it for nearly a month. But just doing a system update is beyond some people. They gotta be walked through it.