how does one actually get linux? it feels like this mystical, intangible thing
short answer? You find a computer that you don't want running Windows and you install Linux on it. But that's a reddit-ass answer and not what you're looking for.
The Longer and more Accurate Answer is more complicated.
Many supporters of Linux will tell you that the process of "getting it" is not technical, anyone can do it, and that's true... up to a point. I don't know your technical background or experience with computers but if you have never created a bootable USB before, or navigated a computer's BIOS/UEFI menu, or you don't know what a "Distro" is, then the act of installing Linux can be very technical! But it's far from impossible!
The good news is that the process of installing Linux is very hard to mess up in a way that is irreversible! I'm not trying to make a complete step by step since others have made far better tutorials than me, but the simple process is this:
Download a Linux Version (different versions of Linux are called "Distros", shortened from "Distribution") Linux Mint is a good starting point if you're completely new to Linux since it's very user friendly.
You create a Bootable USB of that Linux Version. Essentially putting the Linux OS file on a flash drive in a way that another computer can read and install it.
You use that USB to install Linux on another computer. This process takes many forms, but basically you tell the computer to load Linux off of your USB and replace the OS (usually Windows) that's on the computer already with Linux. This is also the most "technical" part of this process since it involves using BIOS/UEFI menus that most users never see.
Linux installs, and it becomes the OS you see when you turn your computer on from now on!
The other cool thing is that Linux Mint has a very comprehensive guide on how to install it. If you choose to try it out, good luck and let me know how it goes!














