Linux allows you to do almost the same thing as macOS. And what's more: it became possible thanks to the developed open source community.
One of the stories of the transition from macOS to Linux in this translation.
It's been almost two years since I switched from macOS to Linux. Before that, I used the operating system from Apple for 15 years. I installed my first distro in the summer of 2018. I was still new to Linux at the time.
Now I use Linux exclusively. There I can do whatever I want: surf the internet regularly and watch Netflix, write and edit content for my blog, and even run a startup.
It is important to note that I am not a developer, not an engineer! Long gone are the days when it was thought that Linux was not suitable for ordinary users, as it did not have a sufficiently user-friendly interface.
There have been a lot of discussions recently criticizing the macOS operating system, so more and more people are considering switching to Linux. I will share some tips for migrating from macOS to Linux to help others do it quickly and without too much headache.
Do you need it?
Before switching from macOS to Linux, it's a good idea to consider whether Linux is right for you in general. If you want to stay in sync with your Apple Watch, make FaceTime calls, or work in iMovie, don't leave macOS. These are proprietary products that live in Apple's closed ecosystem. If you love this ecosystem, Linux is probably not for you.
I was not strongly attached to the Apple ecosystem. I didn't have an iPhone, I didn't use iCloud, FaceTime or Siri. I had an interest in open source, I just had to decide and take the first step.
Are there Linux versions of your favorite software?
I started looking into open source software while I was on macOS and found that most of the apps I use will work on both platforms.
Here is the Firefox browser, for example, works on both macOS and Linux. Have you used VLC to play media? It will also work on Linux. Have you used Audacity to record and edit audio? After switching to Linux, you can take it with you. Have you streamed live in OBS Studio? There is a version for Linux. Do you use Telegram messenger? You will be able to install Telegram for Linux.
This doesn't just apply to open source software. The developers of most (perhaps all) of your favorite non-Apple proprietary apps have made versions for Linux: Spotify, Slack, Zoom, Steam, Discord, Skype, Chrome, and many more. Plus, pretty much anything you can run in your macOS browser can run in your Linux browser.
However, it's still a good idea to double check if there are Linux versions of your favorite applications. Or maybe there are adequate or even more interesting alternatives for them. Do your research: search for "your favorite app + Linux" or "your favorite app + Linux alternatives", or look at proprietary applications that you can install on Linux using Flatpak.
Do not rush to make a βcopyβ of macOS from Linux
To feel comfortable with the transition to Linux, you need to be flexible enough and be ready to learn the nuances of using the new operating system. To do this, you need to give yourself some time.
If you want Linux to look and work just like macOS, it's next to impossible. In principle, it is possible to create a Linux desktop similar to macOS, however, in my opinion, the best way to migrate to Linux is to start with a more standard Linux GUI.
Give it a try and use Linux the way it was originally intended. Don't try to turn Linux into something it isn't. And perhaps, like me, you will enjoy working on Linux much more than on macOS.
Think back to when you first sat down with a Mac: it took some time to get used to. So, in the case of Linux, too, you should not hope for a miracle.
Choose the right Linux distribution
Unlike Windows and macOS, Linux-based operating systems are very different. I have used and tested several Linux distributions. I also tried multiple desktops (or user GUI). They are very different from each other in terms of aesthetics, usability, workflow, and built-in applications.
Although ΠΈ often act as alternatives for macOS, I recommend starting with the following reasons:
- It can be easily installed on a USB stick using .
- It can recognize and work adequately with all your hardware out of the box.
- It supports the latest Linux software.
- It runs the GNOME desktop environment without any additional configuration.
- It has a large community and a large development team.
In my opinion, is the best desktop environment for Linux in terms of usability, consistency, flexibility and usability for those who migrated to Linux from macOS.
Fedora can be a great start for you, and once you get the hang of it, you can try other distributions as well as desktop environments and window managers.
Get to know GNOME better
GNOME is the default desktop for Fedora and many other Linux distributions. Its recent update to brought a modern aesthetic that Mac users will appreciate.
Be prepared for the fact that Linux, and even Fedora Workstation combined with GNOME, will still be significantly different from macOS. GNOME is very clean, minimalistic, modern. There are no distractions here. There are no icons on the desktop, and no visible dock. Your windows don't even have minimize and maximize buttons. But don't panic. If you give it a try, it could be the best and most productive operating system you've ever used.
When you start GNOME, you only see the top bar and the background image. The top panel consists of a button Activities on the left, time and date in the center, and tray icons for network, Bluetooth, VPN, sound, brightness, battery (and so on) on the right side.
How GNOME is similar to macOS
You'll notice some similarities to macOS, such as window snapping and spacebar previews of documents (works exactly like Quick Look).
If you click Activities on the top panel or press the Super key (similar to the Apple key) on the keyboard, you will see something similar to MacOS Mission Control and Spotlight Search in one bottle. This way you can view information about all open applications and windows. On the left side, you'll see a dock that lists all of your favorite (favorite) apps.
There is a search box at the top of the screen. Once you start typing, the focus will be on him. This way you can search for installed apps and file content, find apps in the App Center, check the time and weather, and more. It works just like Spotlight. Just start typing what you want to search for and press Enter to open the app or file.
You can also see a list of all installed applications (just like Launchpad on a Mac). Click the icon Show applications in the dock or the keyboard shortcut Super + A.
Linux is generally fast enough even on older hardware and takes up very little disk space compared to macOS. And unlike macOS, you can remove any pre-installed apps you don't need.
Customize GNOME for you
Review the GNOME settings to make changes that may make it more convenient for you. Here are some things I do once I install GNOME:
- Π Mouse & Touchpad i disable natural scrolling and enable button click.
- Π Displays I turn on the night light, which makes the screen warmer in the evenings to prevent eye strain.
- I also install to access additional settings.
- In tweaks, I turn on excess gain for the sound to push the volume above 100%.
- In the tweaks, I also include the Adwaita Dark theme, which I prefer over the default light theme.
Understand hotkeys
GNOME is keyboard oriented, so try to use it more. In chapter Keyboard shortcut in GNOME settings you can find a list of different keyboard shortcuts.
You can also add your own keyboard shortcuts. I set my most used apps to open with the Super key. For example, Super + B for my browser, Super + F for files, Super + T for terminal, and so on. I also chose Ctrl + Q to close the current window.
I switch between open apps using Super + Tab. And I use Super + H to hide the window. I press F11 to open the app in full screen. Super + left arrow allows you to snap the current application to the left side of the screen. Super + right arrow allows you to snap it to the right side of the screen. And so on.
Run Linux in test mode
You can try running Fedora on your Mac before fully installing it. Just download the ISO image file from . Mount the ISO image file to a USB stick using , and boot from this drive by pressing the Option key at computer startup so you can try the OS live.
Now you can safely explore Fedora Workstation without installing anything extra on your Mac. Check how this OS works with your hardware and network: can you connect to WiFi? Does the touchpad work? How about audio? And so on.
Spend some time learning about GNOME as well. Check out the various features I described above. Open some of the installed applications. If everything looks good, if you like the look of Fedora Workstation and GNOME, then you can do a full install on your Mac.
Welcome to the world of Linux!
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Source: habr.com