As a beginner with Linux and OpenSUSE Leap, I struggle with the installation of the operating system. The installation of Linux is one of the biggest obstacles for beginners and perhaps one of the reasons that beginners go back to OSX and Windows. So my question is where can I find a good explanation or guide on installing, setting up partitions and encryption of the hard disk?
If you want encrypted and assume only Linux no MS to mess things up it is simple
There are two way to boot these days EFI and MBR(legacy)
Assuming an EFI boot if a newer machine
You need one FAT partition for the EFI boot code less then 100 meg. You need one /boot partition to hold the kernel and other essential boot parts about 500 meg
then you make a encrypted LVM container with the rest of the drive in that container you put a 40 gig root partition a swap partition of a little more then amount of memory (1.5) and a home partition for the rest of the space
And yes you got to tell the Installer what you want since it is not standard and it can not read you mind.
With out encryption just allow free unpartitioned space for the installer to use and the default install should be fine even if there is a Windows installation. Not you do need to install in the same boot mode as another OS you have installed so if EFI boot installer in EFI mode if legacy boot the installer in legacy
Note there can be other encryption options but an encrypted LVM is the simplest to manage
Installing Linux is easy it is the MS stuff the makes it hard. Any kind of dual booting is hard.
The official instructions are here
https://en.opensuse.org/Portal:Installation
But since there are so many options you need some level of understanding the basics of partitions and booting. If you don’t understand something ask here someone will help.
Don’t guess or assume only know
To add to the post above, paying attention to every word in the openSUSE installation process will help you
succeed. I’ve been there as a beginner and know nothing except to click the mouse and touch the keyboard.
Yes, there should be (if nothing else in documentation) a good step-by-step install guide for Leap. I especially wonder why there are no obvious links on the main website at www.opensuse.org to any FAQs, Support, or Installation Guides.
In fact, while quite pretty, I find the new website to be Appearance-Bells-&-Whistles over Functionality/Ease of Use.
There is a need to scroll down a few screens only to find out that a couple of the most sought-after links are not even there.