Lage. I am a disgrace.

People tried to port PDN over when it was still open-source, but then they locked it down. There are Linux alternatives out there. GIMP and Krita are two of them. Krita can't handle PDN files. So I'll have to convert my images to something that speaks both languages if you catch my drift.

I have tried proton, but that won't be it. I thought about a dual boot, but it'd require me to find a new Windows iso. VMs, however, are not off the table.

The reason why Paint.NET won't work on Linux is because it's built on the MS .NET framework. And that won't run on anything but Windows AFAIK.

A good pick. I personally use Mint because it’s familiar for me, being one of the closest to Windows I could find.

Distro paralysis is a thing, and Mint is a good selection. I also recommend Garuda currently, which is Arch-based and very friendly for folks starting out.

Exactly. And even that’s not that hard.

Convincing my irl friends to switch will honestly be harder lol. One is worried about compatibility, and the other wants to remain loyal to the billionaire stealing data.

This shit was the last straw for me. I’ll be trying to convince my friends to switch to Linux Mint with an Interactive demo when I get the chance. I don’t want their data getting stolen.

Loving Mint myself, as all my shilling just said. I don’t think I’ll even be hopping distros any time soon. I do need to figure out what I’m gonna do with all my PDN images though. Paint.NET doesn’t work on Linux thanks to the .NET framework requirement. And I’ve been regularly using it for years.

So, if you like privacy, are scared of leaving the comfort of Windows, but don’t want the shit MS is shoveling down your throat, give it a try. You can run it off its boot drive like a demo, with no consequences. I think you’ll love it, despite the minor hurdles.

-EVERYTHING. The taskbar, icon looks, window frames, sounds, it’s all fully customizable. And they have theme packs. So you can just get one if you’re feeling lazy. I themed my old HP after Win7(image below), and I love it. You can do that too, and more. And that is the cherry on top for me.-

-More so than Windows with two extra antiviruses. And that’s without hardening - or locking down. There aren’t that many people targeting Linux users compared to Windows as well. So that’s automatically a boon. Just browse smartly.

It’s also more customizable than Windows. you can change-

-So what’s proton? It’s Steam’s compatibility layer that works with NEARLY EVERY WINDOWS GAME available on that platform. And don’t get me started on WINE.

So getting off games and apps, let’s focus on security. To start, you won’t need an antivirus. Just Mint with a firewall is quite secure-

Whole forum of people who will help. Linux, and Mint, was made by the people, for the people. And the people will be there for you.

So, got a game, say GTA: San Andreas, that’s busted on Windows? Give it a try on Linux. The Steam version will work, and likely better, thanks to Proton.