therwol Loc: USA

My work issues iPhones to everyone (as a replacement for pagers), and some of the software we use comes directly from the Apple store. In the past year, they have required a personal credit card on file with them to use their store, even though the Apps we use are free and business related and go onto phones issued by the company. I was told that there is nothing anyone can do about it.

I don't like the way they have reportedly treat their workers. I think their profits are astronomical considering their costs, and lately, they have been accused of stashing billiions of dollars overseas to avoid paying European taxes. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/11/07/paradise-papers-apple-shifted-billions-offshore-avoid-tax/839565001/

pixbyjnjphotos Loc: Apache Junction,AZ

The XSane image scanning program in Linux is as good as any other scanning program including those for Windows that I have used. And, it will most likely find your scanner, especially older model flatbed scanners, when you plug it into a usb port with no problem.

Haenzel Loc: South Holland, The Netherlands

I've made the switch to linux 3 years ago. On my workplace I'm replacing windows with linux where ever possible. I don't like the Microsoft Licensing nightmare, I also think updating is a pain and moreover the thread of viruses and malware made me decide to step away from windows. I've been running linux without any additional firewall or virus scanner and I never ever picked up bad bytes. I mainly use Digikam, Darktable, Rapid Photo Downloader and UFRaw. My operating system is LinuxLite. This is based on Ubuntu, but less demanding to hardware. You can download it, create a live usb stick, try it next to windows and install next to windows once you've decided to keep it. I would say go for it!!! https://linuxliteos.com/manual/install.html#llusbwin

Largobob

This maybe not what a Windows guy wants to hear....But I am an experienced computer user....started programming in machine and assembler/compiled languages back in the late '60s...have run both large and small systems....taught computer classes....been there, done that! Have watched several Dell's have a not so peaceful death. Also have used Apple computers since the old Apple IIe of the '70s. I truly believe that if any are still around....they are likely still running. There are a large number of benefits of the Apple platform. Stability, ease of use, speed, built like a tank, virus resistence....and they keep on ticking. For a desktop....the iMac is a wonderful machine. 5K resolution screen, fast, attractive, modern. For a laptop...a MacBook Pro is my choice. Still using one over 10 years old.....and recently bought another just for fun. Only had my Macs in to upgrade memory. The MS DOS World (Windows based) is a dinosaur that just keeps needing more bandaids. It is based on antiquated logic and is virus prone due to it's archetectural design.

I recommend that you "bite the bullet" and upgrade your system to Apple. You will thank me a thousand times....

Vicfarrari Loc: New Bedford, Ma.

Try downloading Linux Mint v.18.1. It has a live CD so you can try it out before downloading it. I have been using it for over five years and it works great, is safe and secure and requires no anti-virus. All you need to do is enable the firewall. It is also constantly updated. It is set up similar to Windows 7. As far as editing software Gimp is a very good program which has all the features of photoshop, for working with raw files I use raw therapy which I like much better than lightroom. The only drawback is the lack of photo organization features, however, there are photo organization programs available to download.

mainshipper Loc: Hernando, Florida

The comments coming out of this discussion are truly amazing. I've been running Windows machines since version 3.1 and MS-DOS before that and would run nothing else for my day to day use. I have experimented with Linux and even have a FreeNAS Linux instance running in my home network. The Linux desktop offerings are certainly impressive but not as easy to use as the store bought stuff and will never have the vendor base that Windows or Macs have. Macs are nice as well but in my opinion built for the less tech savvy user, way too expensive, and are much more locked down for trouble shooting. I have a friend with a 27" iMac who fits the less savvy user profile and who is at a loss when it has problems. I also don't have virus issues because I'm careful where I travel on the internet and run adequate protection on all my Windows machines. The reason Windows is the more frequent target of hackers is because they are all running Linux or MacOS and don't eat their own. As for the poster who suggested turning off Windows updates, that's about the most irresponsible approach you can take because those updates are intended to help make your system more secure.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Are you running anti virus etc. software. It sounds like you are not or you are a sucker for just willy nilly downloading any crap. I run windows and have had no problem at all. Updates are strictly from windows and not third party viruses.

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

Simply use Avast free antivirus software and run a trial version of Malwarebytes which will find and rid you Pc of malware. You'll be good to go then.

rayr

Hello: Like you I became frustrated with the windows OS about 20 years ago and decided there must be something better out there. And like you I found Linux. And also like you I am a photographer, an advanced hobbyist. Don't let folks scare you away from Linux, it has made leaps and bounds in desktop use over the years, I know because I have been there for the past 20 years and have seen it. I have not had a virus or spyware to deal with in those 20 years. I do all of my photo editing in Linux with programs like Raw Therepee, Light Zone, and Gimp. I also have 2 windows programs that I run in Linux with a program called WINE, a windows emulator, they are Smart Photo Editor and an HDR program called Photomatix. I run the Linux system Mint 18, I find it to be very user friendly. I have a partitioned drive on 2 different computers and still have win 7 pro if I ever need it for anything. And Like you , when I switch over to my win7 system to print photos on a Canon Prograf 6400, I take out the wireless usb to take it off line. These systems have served me well for 20 years, and I would never consider going back to windows, and unless I wanted to take out a loan at the bank, would not consider buying a Mac and their proprietary software. You can download any Linux DVD online and run it as a "Live" system to test drive it and it will make no changes to your current system. Try Mint or Ubuntu or any of the dozens of other flavors of Linux. I think you will be surprised at how much software they offer and how well they run on some older systems. Good Luck and as the saying goes, "Linux puts the fun back into working with your computer".

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I've used Linux, Unix and all of the aberrations (Red Hat, etc.) and even have a couple of Linux servers out in the garage. ALL I use them for (anymore) is as large file servers to store photos for my 5 Windows 10 machines (2 towers and 3 laptops). Linux/Unix didn't have the software available that I want or need to use. It is available on Windows. So, my Linux boxes are strictly file servers. And I have a fiber network between all of my computers and Spectrum (Brighthouse) cable/internet/phone. I have a Catalyst 6500 with fiber and gigabit network cards for my connections...(yes my laptops are all gigabit and the towers are fiber.)

aflundi Loc: Albuquerque, NM

I've spent hundreds of hours using XSane over the last few decades, and like you I've been perfectly happy with it, but it does have the problem that it doesn't (and in fact can't) support all devices. When I said I hadn't tried it, I was referring specifically to the Coolscan device support (though I didn't make that clear). I have, for instance, a fairly nice Plustek film scanner that still doesn't have a sane driver around a decade after that model was released.

I'm pretty sure that FreeNAS is based on FreeBSD.

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

Go out and buy couple of external hard drives TODAY, and copy all of your photos to the external hard drive. They're under $100 for half a Terra Bite. Wal-Mart sells them, if you don't have any other local sources.

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

Yes you can set up a computer to dual boot.

But a word of caution here, IF the hard drive isn't large enough to devote at least 4 times the size that you think Windows will need for future updates, don't even bother trying to partition your hard drive.

My previous computers were all tri-boot, Windows XP, Windows 7, and Linux.

The Windows 7 partitions all ran out of room to install the incessant Windows updates, and my Adobe software stopped working as a result. I have 2 desktops and 2 laptops sitting around just collecting dust, because the older hard drives are way too small to update any longer.

Windows is a hardware hog BECAUSE of all of their software updates.

When looking at new computer equipment, don't just buy for your current needs, you need to calculate for your future needs, AND all of planned software updates. That's why you need a larger than anticipated hard drive, or you're just buying an expensive paperweight, that's not going to last very long after the software updates start flowing in.

Why do you think so many computers go on sale at rock bottom prices? Built in obsolescence!

wds0410 Loc: Nunya

Amen! Switched to Apple two years ago, one of the best decisions I've ever made. No regrets.

bcrawf

As a longtime Mac user, who also used a Windows system for a while, I suggest you should give the most weight to advice from persons who currently use both Mac and Linux. Of course, since you are already invested in the Windows platform, the transition issue will be significant in your deliberation if you consider making a change. Good luck.