JerryOSF Loc: Bristol, VA

I have included a link showing how simple it is to manage disks in linux. This includes flash drives which many of us use. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOL85Zky93U (Click skip ads) There is no need to use the command line, everything is available from the menu. Want to format or check drive temp, or change partitions on a drive? https://thefrugalcomputerguy.com/ has very easily understood information on linux and on libreoffice (a free replacement for MS Office). Just a little bit of what is available to those not happy with MS. If you like your Windows you can keep your Windows.

fjdarling Loc: Mesa, Arizona, USA

Thanks for posting this. I've been considering trying out Linux on an old desktop, and this has prompted me to jump on that. I'll check out these links and also search for an appropriate Linux distro.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Welcome to a great operating space.

JerryOSF Loc: Bristol, VA

I will recommend linuxmint, the cinnamon edition, an offshoot of ubuntu. It is probably the easiest to use & I have it on 5 different computers. https://linuxmint.com

fjdarling Loc: Mesa, Arizona, USA

Thanks for the suggestion. That sounds like it's right up my alley. I'll check it out.

Haenzel Loc: South Holland, The Netherlands

For older hardware use linuxlite. On newer hardware this distro is blazing fast.

kubota king Loc: NW , Pa.

I have 4 computers as of now . My main desktop with win 10 I built , another less powerful desktop with Mint 19.3 I built , one old laptop with win 10 , and one laptop with Mint 19.3 . I have been using Mint now for several years for my on line work . My win 10 computers are for my programs only . Mint also has Timeshift which is way better than windows system restore which only works one out of a million it seems for me to have a system backup . I have to admit , I do computer repairs and under stand using the terminal in mint when needed sometimes to install something . Mint will boot faster , go into sleep mode faster , and shut down faster than my windows computers . There are many Linux systems to choose from and most have youtube videos to watch before you install or run using a USB drive

Bayou

Linuxlite is a GREAT distribution.

sr71 Loc: In Col. Juan Seguin Land

Why go to linux?

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Because for some of us, it's our preference?


I have been a hybrid Windows/Linux user for around 20 years. I committed to native Linux on all my personal systems over 5 years ago, leaving only my company issued laptop as my sole Windows machine. And even with that, most of my work is done in virtual environments of mostly linux/cisco systems. For me it is fast, reliable, and updates are managed manually or automatically (if desired) with the ability to compile programs on my own for even greater efficiency. The base operating system doesn't utilize as many of the resources on the PC in basic operation, leaving more processor and RAM allocation for programs that need it.


Unless the user mucks something up, security on a majority of linux systems is inherently tighter. Unless the user inadvertently creates their main account and puts it in the 'root' group, most of common malware and user-introduced vulnerabilities will not have sufficient permissions to execute.


Again, personal opinion here, nothing more: Integration into mixed domains (e.g. MacOs, Windows, linux, etc...) is becoming more transparent as user applications and network protocols mature and are able to support cross platform/program interoperability. LibreOffice is a great example. It's available on multiple platforms, can read/write into most of the popular file formats that are in use, and apart from unique (bloatware) functions of those other office suites, there is not much loss, if at all, of functionality from the original document.


But, everyone uses what fits their needs. And if it's not for you, then I hope you are using something that you like

tomad Loc: North Carolina

Linux is the OS on my desktop system that I use for everything except photo editing. Gimp and Darktable are ok, but I prefer to use Luminar, Aurora, Topaz, and Capture One which is the main reason I have a Windows laptop.

OleMe Loc: Montgomery Co., MD

As others have said, Mint is good. Go with the XFCE for less demand on resources. I started with Ubuntu and have stuck with it - the Xubuntu version, which is a bit less demanding on resources.

It is possible to dual boot but the installation is a bit daunting for the uninitiated.

Welcome to the world if Linux.

OleMe Loc: Montgomery Co., MD

Hallelujah! I swutched to Linux ~ 20 years ago and never looked back, except in the rear view mirror. And, IT'S *FREE*.