Switching to Linux...

[Fosty]

Windows isn't booting again so it's time to leave.

I'm thinking of going with Linux Mint

Do I need to reinstall everything, including Steam and the games?

[Electric Cupcake]

I think copying your steam library folders will work from Windows to Linux.
https://www.howtogeek.com/305774/how-to-manually-back-up-your-steam-game-files/

Just remember to use the Apt or Flat version of Steam. .deb files are more trouble than they're worth. And enable proton for all games.

Also, even if you scan and import the backed up folders, Steam will still want to download a crapton of shader cache stuff.

[r.linder]

Originally posted by Electric Cupcake:

Just remember to use the Apt or Flat version of Steam. .deb files are more trouble than they're worth. And enable proton for all games.

Interesting, more often than not I hear the opposite with people recommending the deb version, and very often when I see problems with Steam on Linux it's on the flatpak version.

Originally posted by Fosty:

I'm thinking of going with Linux Mint

Go with LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition) and not the traditional Ubuntu variant. Debian is better.

[A&A]

For Steam, I see no reason not to use the native package rather than flatpack.
You're not doing something that's good to be sandboxed

[D. Flame]

Originally posted by A&A:

For Steam, I see no reason not to use the native package rather than flatpack.
You're not doing something that's good to be sandboxed

If you are going with Mint, just use the .deb file downloaded directly from Steam. Just download it then double click it.

[A&A]

Originally posted by D. Flame:

If you are going with Mint, just use the .deb file downloaded directly from Steam. Just download it then double click it.

I don't use Mint, nor do I see a reason to.
Steam probably will be fine because it should be able to update itself, but for the rest stick with the native package manager. apt in this case.

[The_Abortionator]

Originally posted by r.linder:

Originally posted by Electric Cupcake:

Just remember to use the Apt or Flat version of Steam. .deb files are more trouble than they're worth. And enable proton for all games.

Interesting, more often than not I hear the opposite with people recommending the deb version, and very often when I see problems with Steam on Linux it's on the flatpak version.

Originally posted by Fosty:

I'm thinking of going with Linux Mint

Go with LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition) and not the traditional Ubuntu variant. Debian is better.

the flat pack issue is because people still REFUSE TO ADJUST ANY PERMISSION SETTINGS. If a program needs more they just raise their shoulders instead of fixing it even after its explained to them.

[The_Abortionator]

I'd not recommend Mint (especially the Debian version like was recommended).

If you are gaming you aren't going to want to use packages from 2 years ago and using the testing repos literally removes all of the Debian patching that makes Debian different from other distros so I don't recommend franken Debian either.

If you want less updates go for Fedora or Nobara if you want a more automated install.

If you want an Arch base EndeavourOS and Garuda are good choices. DONT use Manjaro, it has a history of f*ckups and financial embezzlement.

[D. Flame]

Originally posted by The_Abortionator:

I'd not recommend Mint (especially the Debian version like was recommended).

If you are gaming you aren't going to want to use packages from 2 years ago and using the testing repos literally removes all of the Debian patching that makes Debian different from other distros so I don't recommend franken Debian either.

If you want less updates go for Fedora or Nobara if you want a more automated install.

If you want an Arch base EndeavourOS and Garuda are good choices. DONT use Manjaro, it has a history of f*ckups and financial embezzlement.

I don't use LMDE. I just use the regular Linux Mint. I tried all the ones you mentioned, and they are just a headache. LM just works.

The problem with rolling releases and bleeding edge releases like you mentioned is that they constantly break, because they are untested. Then you have to try to struggle to fix them.

With long term support options, such as Mint, you can rest easy knowing that if it worked yesterday, then it will still be working tomorrow. For a lot of people, that is a pretty important feature.

And I have yet to find something that my Steam Deck (arch-based) can play that my PC (regular Linux Mint) cannot.

And when you install Steam, you are using the deb file from Steam itself, so Steam is the latest version.

[A&A]

Originally posted by D. Flame:

The problem with rolling releases and bleeding edge releases like you mentioned is that they constantly break, because they are untested. Then you have to try to struggle to fix them.

With long term support options, such as Mint, you can rest easy knowing that if it worked yesterday, then it will still be working tomorrow. For a lot of people, that is a pretty important feature.

Rolling updates, so good advice is not to be paranoid that you're out of date with 2 second released updates and that you always need to be up to date. If a client is out of date or has a critical vulnerability (and you are concerned), you can always update the package alone.

Debian, you know most packages are behind date, but you get features + security updates on all packages from the repositories, while LTS, I find it to be even worse because they have stricter policies and are more likely to only send you security updates.

But yeah, everybody is free to use whatever he/she wants.

[Not Mr Flıbble]

Originally posted by Electric Cupcake:

I think copying your steam library folders will work from Windows to Linux.

Copying/moving the contents of …/Steam/steamapps across should work fine. It's best not to have Steam running while the content is being transferred, though.

Just remember to use the Apt or Flat version of Steam. .deb files are more trouble than they're worth.

If you're installing via apt (apt-get, aptitude etc.) you're using a .deb – difference is where the .deb comes from.

And enable proton for all games.

Not necessary in general, though there are a few games whose native version is sufficiently badly broken that you need to use the Windows version.

Also, even if you scan and import the backed up folders, Steam will still want to download a crapton of shader cache stuff.

Disable via “Settings” → “Downloads” → “Shader pre-caching” if this is a problem.

Originally posted by A&A:

Debian, you know most packages are behind date, but you get features + security updates on all packages from the repositories, while LTS, I find it to be even worse because they have stricter policies and are more likely to only send you security updates.

Essentially true if you're using stable (and for a lot of things it doesn't matter much); less so if you're using testing, though there updates may be blocked due to dependency issues or reported bugs. As for unstable, expect breakage from time to time, and a lack of updates during pre-release freeze.

Updates to packages in stable are security fixes only, except in specific circumstances (always for some non-trivial reason, e.g. the fix is too large/invasive to backport).

Using stable-backports is recommended for things like graphics drivers and kernel, particularly for newer hardware.

[D. Flame]

Originally posted by A&A:

Originally posted by D. Flame:

The problem with rolling releases and bleeding edge releases like you mentioned is that they constantly break, because they are untested. Then you have to try to struggle to fix them.

With long term support options, such as Mint, you can rest easy knowing that if it worked yesterday, then it will still be working tomorrow. For a lot of people, that is a pretty important feature.

Rolling updates, so good advice is not to be paranoid that you're out of date with 2 second released updates and that you always need to be up to date. If a client is out of date or has a critical vulnerability (and you are concerned), you can always update the package alone.

Debian, you know most packages are behind date, but you get features + security updates on all packages from the repositories, while LTS, I find it to be even worse because they have stricter policies and are more likely to only send you security updates.

I am on Linux mint 22, and it is supported until April 30, 2029. I am gaming on it without issue.I just spent several hours, yesterday, playing Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart.

[A&A]

Originally posted by D. Flame:

I am on Linux mint 22, and it is supported until April 30, 2029. I am gaming on it without issue.I just spent several hours, yesterday, playing Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart.

And that’s great to hear and I hope you enjoy using it.

The end of Arch's Long Term Support is in 6 seconds... RIP

[D. Flame]

Originally posted by A&A:

The end of Arch's Long Term Support is in 6 seconds... RIP

Accurate, lol.

[Fosty]

I ended up going with Kubuntu.
Started up Steam and a game last night. Thanks for the advice.