Don't give up! It can be done.

[PuppyHome]

So you are trying to learn something new? Coming from Windows and want to try Linux? Using Linux and want to upgrade your user case?
Here are some thoughts.

The motivation to post this is because I just messed up to the point of killing the OS I was working on. A Puppy in this case. Poor thing never stood a chance. I have no idea what exactly went wrong but I'll figure it out.

UNLEARN.
People are creatures of habit. If you are coming from Windows and want to learn Linux and have the motivation and perseverance to so you have to forget whatever you knew while running your OS. Yes, your PC or laptop hasn't changed but the way you are operating it has. So in a NEW environment (most of the) old rules don't apply anymore. The first step in unlearning old habits is to get informed about the new thing. That means reading up on Linux, asking questions on forums (this one is a great place to start), and listen and take the advice of long time users. So before even running a Linux distro inform yourself to the point that you think is sufficient to take the next step. Take the time to take in information, research the things you don't quite understand yet and after you have a general idea and are bit more familiar with the terminology it is time to prepare say a live USB and try that out. If you want a full install instead of a live environment install on a USB drive and use that. With this method you will still have your Windows machine intact, you have a familiar fallback. Doing a full install on a USB familiarizes you with the setup process of your new OS and how it works. This is knowledge and experience accumulation. That's what you want. That gives confidence. Once you are sure you want to switch and you can do everything on Linux as you did on your Windows machine it is time to install on your main computer.
Either in dual-boot or erase the whole disk altogether.

Do things in the right order.​

Also don't give up or think "this is not for me I'll never get this right." Yes you will eventually as long as you persevere and dependent of how fast a learner you are. See it this way: I 1000,000 people can do what you are trying to achieve (changing from W. to Linux) so can you. It's just a matter of time and proper preparation.

This afternoon I decided to crank it up a notch and installed development tools to create themes and even the tools to build or remaster Puppies.
Have been playing with that idea for weeks, did the research, asked questions on the forum, gotten great advice, took said advice at heart and followed that up.
Yet somewhere down the line I messed up and killed my OS. Does that mean I can't do what others can? No. Does that mean I quit? No. Tomorrow is another day. A day with more experience, a day with a little more knowledge and understanding. Same challenge, different mindset. I lost a battle, not the war.

 

[wendy-lebaron]

in other words. if the user completely expects a better windows than windows from linux. then remain on windows. period.

if the user cannot even look at mx linux. or other linux os that offers persistence. to look over things a bit. not to transfer his/her entire legion "for production purposes." then complains it's not to his/her taste. then remain on windows. don't even think about switching. that's all.

some people just have to be told that way. they refuse to learn. that's what i've learned from reading some topics here. especially since one user peaked me off. after i gave advice here. in the first few months i was here. he was like, "linux sucks" every other time starting useless topics about it. why not remain on windows then?

 

[CaffeineAddict]

Another thing worth paying attention to is not to force too many hours in single day, because after a week or more the exhaustion is irreversible for long time, you'll feel burnout and there's no cure vs burnout.

Take it at most 5 hours a day, don't be awake over multiple night or things like that, I've learned things fast but because I could afford wasting a lot hours in short time, sometimes over a whole month or more, that bite me back, it's not healthy at all.

bottom line, take it easy over longer period, don't try to be nerd.

 

[PuppyHome]

Well said @CaffeineAddict . Great addition.

 

[beanburrito]

Try learning by text documentation/tutorials/man pages. I can't be bothered to watch a 1/2/3/4/5 hour video on something which goes in tangents on items being discussed, which is a waste of time. The same for most podcasts which feature offtopic banter, just get to the point! Text is still where it's at.

 

[MikeRocor]

Text is still where it's at.

amen!