Debating switching to Linux...
 

I don't like the way Microsoft is going. Call me old-fashioned -

<dry>I'll pause while you laugh and/or agree.
No rush.
Done?
Okay.</dry>

- but I don't like the emphasis on AI. Or the change to the context menu (I found a way to restore the old version, but it won't stick!). When there were calls for Microsoft's monopoly to be broken, the legislators missed the point. We users wanted Microsoft to be accountable. We wanted Windows to go open source.

I don't like the overdependence on OneDrive. I've killed it - I find external drives useful for backup. My updates are paused (minimal risk - I have Norton). I never updated Windows 8.1; it worked and works fine. Most 'security updates' are un-necessary IMO if you have a decent AV and firewall.

Especially I don't like the fact that they're showing ads. AT ALL.

So I might get a new SSD, even though my laptop's relatively new, split the partition and dual boot. I last did it with 98 and 2000, painlessly. If I prefer Linux I'll erase Windows and merge the two partitions.

I've heard good things about Mint. What's the learning curve like, switching from Windows to Linux - shallow and smooth, or are we talking dangerous ski slope?

I like the idea of never getting viruses. I would prefer the lack of AI and ads. There is a vast, helpful support network.

But...I paid for Driver Easy, Norton and PowerDVD.

So I'm in two minds, which is why I may go for dual boot. I'll need to copy my existing setup to the new SSD, of course - not a problem, I've done that before, too.

Re: Debating switching to Linux...
 

You can usually run Linux from something like a bootable USB stick to try it out.

Windows is "open" in the sense that there are all sorts of hacks and apps(often free) that allow you to change the behaviour and appearance.
Restore old Right-click Context menu in Windows 11
You can even use the free version of MS Visual Studio to develop your own apps.



Unless you're planning on modifying the Linux OS and rebuilding it yourself, being "open source" is meaningless.

Re: Debating switching to Linux...
 

I gave up on Windows a few months ago after i saw how they intend to push AI on to us, What with there screen shot system they are looking at, the Bitlocker they intend to force on people and all the telemetry they shove in to the system as well. Pretty sure the first reply to my post will be "but but you can remove all that", but why should i have to go out of my way to remove stuff i did not ask for or want. I am a happy Linux Mint user that can do everything i did on windows on my Mint installation. :)

Re: Debating switching to Linux...
 

I'm happy enough with my Windows 7, as long as these PCs keep running.
I dont mind W8, and could put up with W10, after that the direction they are going with W11 is not for me.

I cant see a lot of business IT departments putting up with all the AI Recall stuff, its a privacy nightmare. We already use bitlocker, that wont be an issue.
They'll either need to produce pro versions that dont do all this intrusive stuff, or lose many business customers.

Re: Debating switching to Linux...
 

The learning curve depends on what you are trying to do.

Linux is equivalent or better at basic things like web browsing, email and media playing. These can be done with the basic graphic interfaces provided with user friendly distributions.

The problems arise if you are dependent on microsoft office, adobe application or games and the linux alternatives are not good enough for you. (There are alternatives but they aren't as good for professionals). The game compatibility is greatly improved but it is still a faff.

Re: Debating switching to Linux...
 

Linux Mint has been my preferred distro for years. I used to do a lot of distro hopping but always came back to Mint.

People sometimes say Ubuntu is debian done properly, and then then mint is ubuntu done properly ;)

you can make it as simple or as complicated to use as you want.

Many Mint users would use the in built software manager to download and install software same way as you do on a phone

I use OpenOffice or or LibreOffice at home, works fine for word style docs or spreadsheets. Perhaps super Excel power users may miss some functionality but I've never thought "I wish it did that thing Office did", and perhaps more importantly, I can't remember the last time I had a problem with a file I've used in MS Office, and then used in LibreOffice and vice versa.

my missus isn't IT literate and she's used Mint with no problem, doesn't care it's not windows, Firefox, Thunderbird, Chrome all work the same. wouldn't know how to use the command line, but hasn't needed to.

I think the only thing that would stop most people is the ability to play modern PC games. Some older games work in steam, or with wine, but not the latest.

wine is pretty good for using certain windows programs where you can't find a Linux equivalent in many, but not all cases.

but as suggested about, try it, using some software to create your usb image you can make the image "remember" your downloads, settings etc, rather than it being fresh like when you boot of a cd each time.

other alterbative is use virtualbox and create a virtual machine, then if you like it install, or reszie your hard drive and do a dual boot until you feel comfortable to make te switch.

that's what i did many years ago, XP on 1 partition, Ubuntu on another openSUSE on another, would try different distros on the 2 Linux partitions until I settled on Mint, and XP got used purely for games and nothing else, was a few years ago :)

since then don't game on pc, so Mint is fine.


have a look at distrowatch.com read about different ones.

a lot of people will swear by one of another, i'd say Mint is great, for newbies it's easy to use, get used to, but if you want to be a power user, there's nothing to stop you opening an xterm and getting dirty :)

Re: Debating switching to Linux...
 

They’ll either allow it be removed via windows features/components and/or they’ll introduce settings for legacy AD group policy and Intune config profiles to disable it

It will be a two second job to disable it

Re: Debating switching to Linux...
 

Thanks, peeps.

I gather from reading that a current update breaks Windows - I have again paused it. The last one which attempted to install (when I forgot to pause) wanted to reboot my laptop. I paused and that made the message go away.

As to what I want to do, I just want to do what people do with a computer: browse, read, write, watch DVDs, listen to MP3s.

I will continue to think about it.

Re: Debating switching to Linux...
 

browse - firefox, chrome, opera, brave, like windows, no problem

write - libre office/open office

DVDs- and any other media files VLC

mp3 - vlc, or winamp with wine if you want to go old school ;)
nowadays most distros let you play mp3s out the box and come with a player like Rhythmbox or Audacious, or xmms if you want something like old school winamp