Installing a Linux Distro for the first time -- hiccups you can expect

I'm yet to have a Linux Distribution install without any error, whatsoever. In general terms, what should you be careful of when installing for the first time?

I just bought my Kids a new computer for Christmas. I don't fork out cash for kid computers, nor do I really believe in buying into the newest gaming platforms, whatever they may be; there's always something better just on the horizon, and the games are way too expensive. Beyond that, "pay to play" is real in 2019, and there are far too many gaming ecosystems engaged in predatory marketing. There's enough retro gaming available on the internet these days that, so long as your kids aren't graphics addicts, there's no reason they can't enjoy endless gaming without all the baggage of modern digital marketing. For their gaming needs, I also insist on my kids running Linux; I insist for the same reasons I don't want them engaging in "pay to play"; the Apple and Windows ecosystems are far too good at pedaling "goods and services" they don't need. So, Linux it is.

Over the last few years, I've had occasion to install the distro of my choice (usually Xubuntu) on a number of computers. I've run Linux distros on my 2008 PowerMac, on an Acer Aspire, on a Raspberry Pi, and on my ThinkPad. I've had just enough experience to know that installs rarely go entirely without incident (getting Xubuntu onto my E570 ThinkPad was the least troublesome, though, it has to be said). When issues arise, most of them can be resolved with time and effort. Still, how much time and effort is required is a variable most of us would want to minimize. So here's a short list of what I've come to expect when doing an install:

  • Wi-fi is gonna need special attention:

It's happened with 50% of my installs. On my PowerMac, it was the Broadcom card and the necessity to find a thrid-party driver; on my Kids' new IdeaPad S145, it was the RealTek card. Finding a driver is usually just a matter of Google-Fu combined with mild command-line adventuring. Here's a quick list of Ubuntu compatible wireless cards that might be helpful if you're currently having trouble, or simply want to reference before buying a computer.

  • SD Reader is gonna need special attention:

I haven't tested it on the IdeaPad yet, but the built in SD Card Reader has never worked for me--on any of my computers. In some cases, I can't even get Xubuntu to see it on the PCI bus. So long as I have USB, though, it's never bothered me. It's one of those luxuries I can really do without. My digital camera can be connected via USB, so an SD reader has always been somewhat superfluous.

  • Boot Manager updates:

BIOS settings on your PC may need to be tweaked. It's very likely the case that the computer manufacturer has provided BIOS defaults that are meant to specifically accommodate Windows. In the case of my PowerMac, I needed to install a new boot manager altogether: namely, rEFInd. On most PC's, I've generally found the hardest part of updating BIOS settings to be getting the BIOS settings to simply open at boot (usually F2 or F12); if you're on a Mac and you're installing rEFInd, expect considerable labor--it's not for anyone unfamiliar with the command line.

  • Bluetooth is gonna need some attention:

In Xubuntu, at least, it's never seemed completely solid; some devices have connected better than others. You may want to familiarize yourself with bluetoothctl on the command-line. On my PowerMac, in particular, getting the computer to remember previously paired devices has never really worked. The solution is quite simple, though: leverage USB for your devices. Wireless USB keyboards and mice have been rock solid in all of my Linux Distro installs. It does suck, though, if you just have to have that Apple keyboard and mouse because they match your Apple computer. Then again, if you're that attached to the Apple ecosystem, why are you installing a Linux distro? Note: scrolling on the Apple Magic Mouse II was what made me give up in the end (PS: Apple Magic Mouse isn't particularly ergonomic in the first place).

The Take Away

All of this really points to one common theme: hardware. I don't think the distro really matters--Linux doesn't always play nice with hardware. Considering the variety of PC hardware makers these days, it's surprising it plays with them at all. Ideally, if you're going to dabble in Linux, you should be familiar with your hardware. If you're in the market for a new PC, you'll want to do your homework before you buy. Ubuntu keeps a list of certified hardware/computers on their website. That might be a good starting point.

It's easy for a lot of us to take for granted the delicate balance between hardware and software. That's the beauty of operating systems like Windows and OSX: generally speaking, they create that balance so seamlessly that it becomes a general expectation. "If I plug it in, it'll just work". For a vast majority of people, that far outweighs any negatives wrought by these companies' prevailing marketing strategies. The alternative is to do it yourself--and who wants to do that? It takes a special kind of nerd. I'm one of those nerds, but there's a limit to just how much brain power I can afford to invest in making my computer work. I've been using Linux just long enough now to understand that due diligence helps minimize that investment. Being thorough with due diligence can be an investment itself; in the end, though, it's less taxing than spending days on help forums copy/pasting aimlessly into your terminal.

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