It’s been a week. Ubuntu Studio, and every day it’s something. I swear Linux is the OS version of owning a boat, it’s constant maintenance. Am I dumb, or doing something wrong?

After many issues, today I thought I had shit figured out, then played a game for the first time. All good, but the intro had some artifacts. I got curious, I have an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 and thought that was weird. Looked it up, turns out Linux was using lvmpipe. Found a fix. Now it’s using my card, no more clipping, great!. But now my screen flickers. Narrowed it down to Vivaldi browser. Had to uninstall, which sucks and took a long time to figure out. Now I’m on Librewolf which I liked on windows but it’s a cpu hungry bitch on Linux (eating 3.2g of memory as I type this). Every goddamned time I fix something, it breaks something else.

This is just one of many, every day, issues.

I’m tired. I want to love Linux. I really do, but what the hell? Windows just worked.

I’ve resigned myself to “the boat life” but is there a better way? Am I missing something and it doesn’t have to be this hard, or is this what Linux is? If that’s it’s just like this I’m still sticking cause fuck Microsoft but you guys talk like Linux should be everyone’s first choice. I’d never recommend Linux to anyone I know, it doesn’t “just work”.

  • mybuttnolie@sopuli.xyz
    0·
    1 year ago

    you tried one distro and it’s not working out, just go and try another one. i had to try a few before i found that mint works the best for me. it has some very minor flaws but it’s been smoother than wintoes

  • Onno (VK6FLAB)@lemmy.radio
    0·
    1 year ago

    Think of your workstation running Ubuntu Studio as new shoes that need running in.

    I’ve been using Debian Linux as my primary desktop for over 25 years. The amount of downtime I experience is negligible. When I look at the sheer volume of MacOS updates requiring a reboot, or the absurd number of “fixes” pushed by Microsoft, I’m very content.

      • Onno (VK6FLAB)@lemmy.radio
        0·
        1 year ago

        I hear your frustration and understand what you’re concerned about.

        Ask yourself this.

        Is the thing that I’ve discovered is broken today something that I’ve fixed before?

        If you use the package manager that comes with your distribution and don’t install random software from the Internet, and don’t follow unverified procedures written by anyone with a keyboard, then the answer is almost certainly “no”.

        I say this with the benefit of knowing what’s good practice and what isn’t. I can tell you that if you come at this with a “Microsoft Windows” approach, you’re likely to spend weeks, if not months in purgatory. It’s no different from migrating between MacOS and Windows, or vice-versa. You need to remember that just because Linux looks similar, it’s a different beast and is so by design.

        I’d strongly recommend that you start using the machine with ONLY the packages available through the Ubuntu package manager. If you run into strife, you can ask for support. If you go outside that and you break something, you get to keep both parts – and truth be told – that’s true with any other operating system, just that the lines are not as blurred.

        In Linux world many of the distributions can cross pollenate applications and solutions, but that requires experience that new users don’t (yet) have.

        One way to deal with the “jump” is to keep your “old” Windows (or MacOS) machine around while you get comfortable with the lay of the land.

        The thing that most people switching to Linux have forgotten is that this requires experience. You cannot expect to just jump into a new Operating System and take all your old habits with you. Think for example about the differences between iOS and Android, a world of difference.

        So, keep at it. This frustration will pass.

        Make sure you backup your /home directory regularly. That way if you ever blow something up and are left on your own, you can blow away the drive and start again, restore from your /home backup.

        Meanwhile, keep asking questions.

        Good luck.

          • Onno (VK6FLAB)@lemmy.radio
            0·
            1 year ago

            Pretty much the same.

            Word of warning. Your /home directory contains your documents, but it also contains configuration files. If the packages you’re installing have different versions, you might discover that the config file for a different version doesn’t work on the version that’s installed. This isn’t universally the case, some applications are smart about this, others less so. You can find many of them as “hidden” “dot” files.

            You can find all of them like this: find /home -type f -name '.*'

            Explanation:

            • find - the find command
            • /home - the place to start looking
            • -type f - find files only
            • -name '/.*' - find things only starting with a ‘.’
      • morto@piefed.socialEnglish
        0·
        1 year ago

        Not really a friendly distro for non tech-savy people, so it’s complicated to recommend it online to strangers.

        • lordnikon@lemmy.worldEnglish
          0·
          1 year ago

          I get it that’s the impression and maybe i have used it for so long so i might have a blind spot but what makes it complicated? Its got a gui installer, a live cd. Other than the not having cutting edge software what makes it complicated?

      • azimir@lemmy.ml
        0·
        1 year ago

        I usually start a desktop on Mint since it’s got at least some new drivers and a few more tools with Cinnamon desktop.

        If the hardware is finicky or there’s odd devices a distro doesn’t handle, I often just try a different distro instead of driver hacking. It’s a very big hammer, but I’d rather have things work with the distro configs instead of maintaining it myself.

        Servers? Debian.

        Desktops? Mint (prettier Debian out of the box)

        Otherwise? Use what works with the least effort.

    • Sunoc@sh.itjust.works
      0·
      1 year ago

      This.

      In my experience, once you have the potential hardware compatibility issue fixed, it’s smooth sailing and simply a matter of getting used to the different tools on Linux!

      • maxprime@lemmy.ml
        0·
        1 year ago

        Yeah. I also appreciate the ability to actually fix most problems. I probably ran into fewer problems on windows, but when I did, the problems were beyond repair.

  • phanto@lemmy.ca
    0·
    1 year ago

    I’ve always found that there’s generally a new way to do things in Linux, but I rarely have issues. I have an Acer Nitro laptop with a Ryzen integrated AMD graphics and then an Nvidia 3060, and I had to look up how to install the drivers, which was rpmfusion, click, click, done. Instead of the usual launcher for games, it’s either Steam or Lutris. The only real bitch of a thing was some school stuff. Like, gnomes boxes handles all my virtualization, but school demanded VMware Workstation, which was legitimately a pain on Fedora. Likewise, Microsoft Teams. But web Office was fine, Libre locally… I get hella better frame rates on MHW in Linux than Windows. I didn’t pick the machine for its Linux compatibility, it just worked.

  • just_another_person@lemmy.world
    0·
    1 year ago

    You’re conflating a bunch of things that aren’t Linux issues here.

    1. You didn’t have the proper setup for Nvidia to start with. Shouldn’t be a problem in the future.
    2. If Vivaldi had screen flickering, that’s on their software, and almost guaranteed to be an issue with their hardware acceleration.
    3. Librewolf is probably the same problem as above. Try disabling hardware acceleration.
  • Fizz@lemmy.nzEnglish
    0·
    1 year ago

    Do you guys just have flawless experiences or what?

    When I was new to linux I had many issues but the longer I used it the less problems I had. I think its a combination of new users not understanding the different parts of linux and not understanding the linux way of doing things. That leads to a lot of tweaking which can cause more issues than it solves.

    Now that i’ve been on linux for 4 years everything works as expected and this is after changing distros a few times. my systems are pretty much untouched in terms of root folder tweaks or anything. I would say to keep trying linux since its not ‘boat life’ constant maintenance over the long term.

  • bulwark@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    1 year ago

    I like your boat analogy. It does take more work to keep it running in top condition, and when it’s firing on all cylinders it will run circles around windows. Also, people that don’t have one and talk shit are just jelly.

  • CurlyWurlies4All@slrpnk.netEnglish
    0·
    1 year ago

    I get what you’re saying…if that were my experience I’d be jack of it too. I’ve got similar spec and am running Nobara which is pretty much Steam OS for people with Nvidia cards. The only thing. The only thing I got really into the weeds on was setting up Plex. Which wasn’t my first preference but I couldn’t work out hot to get Jellyfin to cast to my old Chromecast. Other than that though I’ve had a great experience that ‘just works’.

  • luciole (he/him)@beehaw.org
    0·
    1 year ago

    You’re not dumb and we don’t have a flawless experience… but me and my son aren’t nearly having as much trouble as you. Maybe you’re unlucky with hardware support. For some it does “pretty much” works. I’m genuinely glad you’re sticking to it some more and I hope you continue learning and that your experience gets smoother.

  • blargh513@sh.itjust.works
    0·
    1 year ago

    It takes a while to get settled.

    You have traded a perception of convenience for security, privacy and freedom.

    Many people bounce back and forth for a bit, dont feel bad if you get fatigued and go back for a few. However, once you start using Linux, you’ll start to see the truth about windows. You’ll be back, even if you leave for a few.

    Be patient, you’ll learn the ropes and soon it will be second nature.

    Also, your logs will tell you much. Uploading a log to an ai makes troubleshooting much easier.

  • ScientifficDoggo@lemmy.zipEnglish
    0·
    1 year ago

    Honestly the modern Linux experience is largely easy to start these days, but there are pitfalls and traps.

    A little more than a year ago I was a complete Linux nooby, but I researched and asked questions before jumping in. Then I jumped in (my first distro was endeavour). I asked questions, read forums, tinkered, then broke my shit.

    Then I distro hopped between the popular ones (mint, buntu, etc.) before finally settling on Cachy. There were pains along the way but for my use cases the main learning hurdles were learning the compatibility layers and FOSS software alternatives.

    I implore you to tread the beaten path, on a tried and tested distro with an active community. Think about your use case, and which flavor of Linux distro better supports your intentions.

  • brucethemoose@lemmy.world
    0·
    1 year ago

    The issue is you installed Ubuntu with an RTX 3060 and you intend to game, heh.

    You need a distro optimized for gaming on Nvidia out of the box, and Ubuntu Studio is not it. Not unless you want to DIY overhaul the whole system and maintain it forever.

    You need Bazzite, probably. Or CachyOS.

    You could fix Ubuntu temporarily, eventually, but it will always be like a boat once you start configuring stuff yourself. But use a gaming distro, and gaming fixes and setups come down the pipe for you.

    TBH I have made this mistake more than once. Now I run don’t a distro that focuses on this and have never looked back.

  • Spooky Mulder@twun.io
    0·
    1 year ago

    I’ve installed Debian Linux on over 50 devices by now. A vanilla configuration with GNOME works pretty much out of the box for me on a high-end desktop with a modern NVIDIA graphics card.

    I’d say the biggest part of the learning curve is figuring out which apps are good and suitable for what you’re trying to do. Just like with Windows and macOS and Android and iOS, there’s only a handful of viable options among an overwhelming sea of poor ones.

    There are many wrong ways to install NVIDIA on any given Linux distro and architecture, and only one functional way. As others here are saying, that’s on NVIDIA, not you or Linux.

    General advice: whenever possible, strongly prefer your distro’s standard package manager to install things over any other method. With Ubuntu, I believe that’s either apt or snap.

    Also: if you find yourself poking around in some obscure system internals while troubleshooting an issue, you probably took a wrong turn somewhere.

  • GenderNeutralBro@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
    0·
    1 year ago

    You didn’t mention which version of Ubuntu Studio you’re running. Is it 24.04 LTS by any chance?

    My initial thought is that you are probably running Wayland, and that your version of Ubuntu has KDE Plasma 5 instead of 6 and/or outdated Nvidia drivers that don’t work super well with Wayland.

    A quick search shows that this is all default on Ubuntu Studio 24.04 LTS, which is the first version you’ll find at ubuntustudio.org. :(

    Ubuntu 25.04 (non-LTS) has Plasma 6, which is a very important upgrade if you are using Wayland, especially with Nvidia GPUs.

    Just a guess. If I’m right, you have a few choices:

    1. Upgrade to Ubuntu Studio 25.04 (non-LTS). It has newer stuff like Plasma 6 that fixes a LOT of problems like this.

    2. Switch to X11 instead of Wayland. This will likely introduce a new set of problems though. X11 has no future.

    3. Switch to a different DE than KDE. I am not sure what is best in this situation.

    4. Install the latest Nvidia drivers manually instead of getting them from the Ubuntu repo.

    Option 1 is by far the simplest choice.

    The Linux desktop is in a big transitional phase these past few years, as more distros default to Wayland even before a lot of their packages are updated to fully support it. It’s a terrible time to be stuck with outdated “LTS” distros. This is why I hopped away from Debian 12 (13 is out now so yay, but it was a year too late for me).

      • GenderNeutralBro@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
        0·
        1 year ago

        On further investigation, it looks like you’d need to do an in-between upgrade to 24.10 before going to 25.04. I didn’t realize that before. It’s been a long time since I upgraded an Ubuntu system.

        Here is the relevant documentation you’d need for upgrades:

        From 24.04 to 24.10: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/OracularUpgrades/#Upgrading_Ubuntu_Desktops_to_24.10

        And then basically the same thing again to go from 24.10 to 25.04: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/PluckyUpgrades#Upgrading_Ubuntu_Desktops_to_25.04

        In case you’re not familiar with Ubuntu’s naming and update conventions, I’ll explain briefly, because it’s confusing for beginners: Each release has a name and number. The names loop through the alphabet in the format “Adjective Animal”, and the numbers are the release date in format “year.month”, with new releases every six months, in April and October. Then there are the “Long Term Support” (LTS) releases that are released every two years, matching the April “xx.04” main releases. You’re currently on “Noble Numbat” (24.04), which is followed by “Oracular Oriole” (24.10) and “Plucky Puffin” (25.04). Totally intuitive, right?! -_-

        OR you could back up your stuff and install a clean 25.04. I’m not sure if the installer has an option to retain an existing home folder. Again, it’s been a long time since I used Ubuntu specifically. Perhaps someone with more recent experience can chime in.

  • arcterus@piefed.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    0·
    1 year ago

    Some distros are more fragile than others. Stuff like not having the Nvidia drivers installed by default (I’m assuming for the llvmpipe issue) are sometimes discussed in installation guides. IDK if Ubuntu has one since I don’t use it.

    Blink-based browsers (like Vivaldi, Chromium, etc.) IMO kind of suck on Linux (or at least Wayland). It’s probably worse with Nvidia cards since Nvidia is still sometimes flaky on Wayland.

    The LibreWolf issue is maybe not an issue at all. I’m assuming you mean RAM, and if so, browsers just like to eat as much memory as they’re allowed to eat. If you open up something else and it needs the memory, LibreWolf will likely let go of some of it. There are probably some knobs you can dial in LibreWolf (or Linux kernel settings) if it’s really an issue for some reason.

    I only really have issues when I’m trying to set something up that’s not already configured by the distro (or if I’m doing something particularly weird).

  • bort@piefed.worldEnglish
    0·
    1 year ago

    I felt exactly the same thing before actually trying mint. It’s the only distro that just works for me. A true daily driver.