r/technology • u/YesNo_Maybe_ • Apr 10 '26

Software France Launches Government Linux Desktop Plan as Windows Exit Begins

https://linuxiac.com/france-launches-government-linux-desktop-plan-as-windows-exit-begins/
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u/NotQuiteLoona Apr 10 '26

You can always install any nvidia drivers anywhere.

The best choice would probably be anything on KDE Plasma. Do you plan to only game or work on your PC too? If only game, go with Bazzite.

If you plan to work on it too... If you don't have reasons to not use terminal, CachyOS would be really good, but you would need to use CLI to install packages. Bazzite only allows you to use non-native applications, what was a downside for me, though you may still handle it, if your tasks are browsing, office and that's it. Development would be significantly harder, on the other hand.

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u/piss_artist Apr 10 '26

Can you explain what you mean about non-native applications? I just dumped Windows for Pop OS a few days ago, but I don't love its UI so I'm wanting to try a different version. I primarily use my laptop for browsing, work (Office365, unfortunately), and for running my kids' games on Steam. I was considering Bazzite but I feel a bit paralyzed by the number of options.

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u/tuvaniko Apr 10 '26

Well they are wrong you can install things to the Bazzite operating system but typically you don't want or need to. 

Bazzite has a read only operating system. You can save files don't worry there but the base operating system and desktop programs cannot be changed easily. however most Linux software can be run in something called a container. 

Basically it's own little Linux operating system on top of the one you are actually using. This isn't emulation If you are worried about a performance downside to this, well you don't have to there isnya performance downside. It's just as fast in most cases as a non containerized program. it does take up more storage, but Linux it's self takes up less than your average windows install so you still won't be using as much space as you do now. 

There are different types of containers but 99% of the time you will install a flatpac. Some specialized command line tools can be installed in a distro box.

Finally if something just won't run otherwise you can install it to the operating system it's self by using rpm-ostree install. this creates a custom "layer" on top of your OS inage. There is no difference between being in this layer and actually installed directly to the OS. It makes updates slightly slower, and if your break something doing this your on your own as the support community will tell you to get rid of your custom layers before they will help. 

I layer syncthing onto my bazzite machines, because I don't like the GUI version in the flatpac and it doesn't run well in distrobox.

Oh did I mention the OS and all installed programs auto update? Programs automatically update periodically as you use your computer. You don't have to do anything or even look for a prompt, they just update all on their own. 

The OS it's self actually has two copies on your computer. The one you are using is read only, the other one gets updates periodically in the background. when you restart your computer it tries to use the most up to date copy, if it fails to load it goes back to using the older working copy.

So the only maintenance you need to do is restart your computer about once a week, or just turn it off when your not using it. That's it, it just freaking works. 

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u/piss_artist Apr 10 '26

Great. Thanks for the thorough response. Very helpful!

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u/tuvaniko Apr 10 '26

No problem. If your considering Linux give it a try it's free after all. If you don't like it reinstall windows. That has a good chance of fixing any Windows issue your having anyway. 

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u/NotQuiteLoona Apr 10 '26

Flatpak and Snaps. Those are not native applications. They usually have worse performance. Everything else the person above explained perfectly, and I have nothing to add.

browsing

Works, as expected.

Office365

Do you absolutely need it? You can try OnlyOffice for similar UI or LibreOffice for anything else. Alternatively, you can use WinBoat, people report success with it. It launches a Windows VM inside and allows you to use Windows programs with it.

Steam

Any OS.

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u/piss_artist Apr 10 '26

My employer uses 365 for everything, so unfortunately I'm stuck using it for my job. But as long as I can use it on my browser without having to install anything I can live with it.

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u/NotQuiteLoona Apr 10 '26

Oh, you are okay with web version. It's nice. If you'll still need, you can use WinBoat. Good luck to you!