You can partition your drive to run both windows and linux. Or take the leap and use darktable instead of LR and Gimp instead of PS.

You can try various 'flavours' of 'different' Linux. You download onto a USB drive or burn to a CD. Everything will work so that you can explore the version to see if you like it. Some have a simple printer installation and some do not. You should also get an option to install 'in a partition' if you wish.

Arch Linux is the depository of all programs available, however not all 'play nice' on all different versions. Most flavors come with a repository of tested programmes which will be bug free!

Look for 'Long Term Support' versions. I use Manjaro for example, Otherwise you will need to reinstall later versions. This can be as little as 2 years.

Depending on what 'historic' software you still have a use for (Like Outlook or 3rd party software) you may be lucky to find 'similar' in Linux, but that also is an issue for re-installed Windows too.

Gimp has recently changed its looks and become more photographic centred..you can be up and running very quickly. Darktable is a joy to use. (I had an earlier version of LR) For Raw you have several options of programs - and they are getting better at listing newer cameras quickly.

For a few pounds - try buying a cd if you are not good with PC's and explore!!!

have fun

It is not just a US problem...Germany Has now changed its rules so that it can now enrolls French to make up their numbers - it is something the Brexit Pro voters push ...that soon the UK may be asked to provide recruits/conscripts for a European Army rather than just sending trainers to keep Russia at bay...(Isn't that what got the US involved in Vietnam?). Seems we are still in an era where People on the ground rather than technology is needed despite the claims made by Big Business.

At least its open..
Yale probably locks you out!

If the camera is within your budget, then it is a good one!
Photography is about YOU....what you like, the places you like to explore and what interests you. There is a lot to learn and most cameras will allow you to achieve a big percentage of the shots you want. As you advance you may need a bit of extra kit....or even a different camera: But you will understand by then Exactly why.....xxxx is needed.
You need post processing software - Stick with Nikon's....again,as you progress you will understand what 'other' programs to try. or not!
Bear in mind KISS.....Keep it simple stupid.....Use auto...learn composition....follow online tutorials step by step so that you get some 'interesting' images and learn how to use the different camera settings. Try to feel comfortable carrying a camera....and set time aside to both shoot and read about 'Photography'...online has great sites - enough to satisfy your learning niche (some high brow, some childlike and lots in the middle) Bookmark your favourite sites for easy access. (Google 'how to do XXXX type shot) will give you a range of on line sites. Once you start 'seeing as a photographer - even your local area will have some 'hidden delights' that you once walked past.
Most of all - keep it fun..... Keep it in perspective.....don't lose friends cause 'you constantly stop and take photo's' etc. Not everyone is bothered about the difference between a snap and a photographic masterpiece

Like most hobbies you think it might make you rich, but mainly you continue to learn because you enjoy doing it....enjoy the experience...listen to what people say...nod politely and then explore whether it is 'how' you want to do things. Your camera / your choice...a high % of advice consists of opinion. mine included!

have fun

Have fun

Football in the UK isolates Scots into Celtic/Rangers as much as religion.
Whatever team you support - they have a convenient opposition each week that you can hate, catcall or fight.
You bring thousands of people together - and allow them to boo or cheer to their hearts content - because it is a merely a game......think what would happen if every week you had a public political rally between opposing party's....? same escalation of verbal and physical abuse....

The UK Government supported the Football leagues during the inter war years, precisely to give those disenchanted by war an outlet for their aggression - in a confined arena away from property. There was a fear that the working class may turn communist, or that there would be little enthusiasm for future national conflicts. Football hooliganism was/is easily contained.....it is not a new thing.

Oh, it is just a game!!!

Then it did not produce the revenues it does now - But it did 'protect' the landowners and mill owners from mobs and angry workers. Now there is too much money to ban it as a public hazzard. - read up on how disease is spread by bringing thousands of 'visitors' together (during the winter months) and the rapid spread of influenza.

Dumb.......How many American sportsmen sustain life changing injuries in your 'National' game ?

Your camera has settings that need to be set to 0.This will screw up your jpeg if shooting raw+jpeg
You need to use your camera manufacturer's raw processor (available to download) as all programs display raw files differently.
saving as a jpg will alter how the raw file looks on screen, but this is as near as you can get.

If your purpose is to show 'differences' as a teaching aid....then as others have suggested, 'Represent' it by exaggerating the 'problems' in camera settings 'as jpegs' and take a similar shot using raw so that you can 'compensate' with some success.

to be honest, raw compensation at the extreme, should be taught as being a 'settings' fault rather than suggesting PP as a 'get out of jail' token fix.

have fun

I use a variety of post processing....I understand that images are 'corrected' to my choices alone....it does not make a bad image 'perfect'.

Sport is an outlet for society's aggression that allows Government to get away with what they do in safety!

DON'T......it watermarks all your images in LR catalogue....I couldn't stop it - nor could I easily get rid of them individually. I junked LR and now use darktable....!

Beware what you ask for.

I am alright, it is everyone else!
If you got wiser as you got older: more people would listen to you!

When you look at something, you see a wide shot, but often disregard the less important bits. Your brain 'processes it' by matching 'things' that you have seen before. When the camera does this - it looks wrong or rather, is less satisfying.

Photographic vision is simply the ability to concentrate on what 'important bits' you want to capture out of 'the whole' that you see. Often this is almost subconscious decisions about placement, but...occasionally you need to walk around 'the thing' to get the better shot. Or come back another day when conditions 'improve' what you want to capture.

It could be that: given time you learn from your own work what pleases you....or you recall a similar image by someone else that you want to emulate....either way.....your photography evolves. Practice may not make perfect....but it does improve some.

A picture telling ten thousand words was coined by a newspaper man.....not a photographer!
The story YOU see.....differs from what others interpret....Art is in the eye of the beholder...(or the 'Artist' has gained a name for whatever reason so it must be 'good'.). However....a title can focus a person's mind a little...even if it is just a smile, because non-photographers also look at photographs too. Even people who have no training in art or creativity 'like' certain things, with or without 'interpretation'.

Having a 'vision' simply means you enjoy certain things 'in a certain way'. The named artists would talk you through the 'meaning' of what they did....or 'critics' would earn a living by 'telling you' what you were meant to see. How many books are there on 'great art'!!!

If you are wanting to create photographs that please yourself: then explore what you 'like'. If you want to impress others learn to tell an 'epic' story about how difficult it was to 'capture' that particular 'one of a kind' image.

Have fun

I think it is a great shot. You have a point of interest with the sun glow, the breaking wave completely fills the frame. Your whites are white and you have a natural colour to the water.
No idea what the caption would be....

have fun

Some on the wall...some in albums....hundreds on the PC.

Golf is a long walk spoiled......Photography is a long walk enhanced and made memorable!

I have been suggesting to beginners, for many years, that Auto is the best option until they have tried several 'tutorials' on using A and S. The beginner is assailed with information and photography is such a broad canvas that they often feel lost.....and can lose interest.

Those that insist on everyone learning Manual often miss the point: That not everyone wants to! Initially most beginners want the photographs they take to simply look like they saw it. (That looks pretty)! It takes time and 'reasons' to explore 'camera settings'....

I would suggest that Manual is an area that one should only use when you want a particular effect that the other program options will not obviously do. If you are that aware....chances are you have come a LONG way from being a beginner!

You paid for the camera.....use it how you wish.

have fun

Nah....its world wide.......every society seems to be mimicking this. It is almost mandatory.....
Granny 'Tut Tutting' no longer stops the idiots and they breed.

Social media has created 'Populist' Governments around the world. Politicians can post directly to the masses without any 'commentary' stating otherwise or having 'alternative' arguments made. They can also target groups and tell them 'what they want to be told' in return for v**es. Italy and the US have this. as does several African States. Boris Johnson our UK Prime Minister uses this. Nigel Farrage wasn't even an acting political member of any group at Christmas BUT managed to get elected onto the EU....within 3 months!!!!!

Social Media isn't harmless 'fun' anymore....It is making a mockery of Politics.

It used to be that Newspaper's had a 'known' political standing....You bought into this by choice. But other papers offered alternative narratives. Now you have no chance to put a different viewpoint to people reading 'f**e news' on the internet. How many dispair at the Flat Earth proliferation of nonsense stated as fact.

George Orwell wrote about this!!!!!! 1984 and all that. He was right!

The UK is trying to drop the 'v****g' age from 18 years old to 14 - 16 year old. (depending upon what we read) What chance of getting a political astute government will that give us.

it is getting to be a sad world...!