Okay I see. Thanks for the clarification!

So if I wanted two users for instance, then I’d have to download an extra copy of each piece of software (one per user) to be able to access (if I wanted tk store them on the drive and not on the network?)

I’m sure they will! I appreciate it!

Interesting. Thank you!

Would the programs I install while using one desktop environment not be accessible from the other desktop environment? Akin to installing software in a Windows computer and each user logging into that computer can access that software?

Typically I have a browser (Firefox), Blender for some 3D modeling, uTorrent, previously Plex (but wanting to move away from it to something like Jellyfin maybe), Microsoft Offjce products but mostly Word/Excel/PowerPoint, and I have Outlook on my work laptop but am used to using browser for email client as needed so thats not a huge priority if there isnt a good mail application. There are probably others but those are the most often or daily usage!

Oh that’s interesting. So each time I login I could potentially load into a different styling as I choose?

I forget what GPU I currently have but I may be upgrading soon anyway so I’ll be sure to keep that in mind for the purchase. That’s the first big step: finding software to fit my needs as they come up but that can be piece by piece!

Thanks for the response!

Thank you for the tips!

Okay great! What are the improvements/benefits of KDE that make you say that?

What do the “versions” represent? From what I understand elsewhere, Gnome is the desktop styling correct?

Perfect, thank you!

Do most distributions not have those things? I imagined a taskbar/search/options to be pretty standardized and having the option for desktop with icons at least.

Okay thank you! Do you know of a good list of Linux compatible alternatives to Windows software? I’m sure I can track some down but may want to get familiar before making the jump like you said.

Okay that makes sense. Thanks!

Okay I’ll try out a few and keep notes on which ones I prefer until I make that “final” decision.

Yes dual booting seems to be the way to go for a while so I’ve got my toes in the water but not lost the safety net just yet!

Okay great! An interesting tea combination: Mint with Cinnamon :) do most desktop environments work with most distros, or is there a list per each distro?

This is perfect! Thanks for linking it!