Switching from Windows to Linux

C

Charmain7007

Chicken
michelin said:
Anybody using Linux here?

OK, this is kind of a nerdy topic, but geeks will love it. I just switched to this operating system LINUX after too many years of trouble with my Windows XP, VIsta and 7.

First impressions: Linux rocks!

FIVE ADVANTAGES:

1. FAST, blazing speed, even on older machines (I mean up to 10 years old)
2. No viruses and other shit that screws up your computer' s hard drive and system.
3. Free software, I mean really FREE: all applications come with the system or can easily be installed.
4. VERY User friendly. Linux made huge progress over the years to become user friendly and stable (it won't crash easily).
5. great support online and on forums

DISADVANTAGE
The main disadvantage is still compatibility with Windows, but the Linux teams have worked hard to fix that problem. I would estimate by now 80% of all file formats are compatible in Linux. ALso, you can easily run Windows on a Linux system.

Right now Ubuntu and Linux Mint are the top Linux versions. Here is a great review of Linux Mint.

Most people who have switched to Linux have the same feeling as those who have switched to Apple: you never go back to Windows! Actually, you kinda feel of screwed of having had all that trouble and paid expensive MS software over the years...

Anybody using Linux put your feedback in this thread.
Click to expand...

I switched from Windows to Linux last year due to too many configuration issues with my IDEs and I have to say, other than Gaming, I never even boot to my windows partition anymore.

Truth be told, there is a bit of a learning curve for people coming from a windows background, but I imagine it's not as steep as moving from Windows to Mac.

All in all, Linux has been a blessing and I've been an unofficial advocate for it since I picked it up last year.:blush:
 
TrifeLife

TrifeLife

Woodpecker
I am interested in making the switch. I use a chromebook now and honestly I do really like it, I've had the same one for 6 years and it still works pretty well. I'm able to get by just using a browser as I don't do anything hardware dependent like video editing.

To linux users, what kind of device do you recommend. I know you can boot linux from basically any computer, but wondering if it's recommended to get one that is built specifically for linux. Privacy is my main concern, I want to distance myself from big tech as much as possible.
 
Coja Petrus Uscan

Coja Petrus Uscan

Crow
Orthodox Inquirer
Gold Member
TrifeLife said:
I am interested in making the switch. I use a chromebook now and honestly I do really like it, I've had the same one for 6 years and it still works pretty well. I'm able to get by just using a browser as I don't do anything hardware dependent like video editing.

To linux users, what kind of device do you recommend. I know you can boot linux from basically any computer, but wondering if it's recommended to get one that is built specifically for linux. Privacy is my main concern, I want to distance myself from big tech as much as possible.
Click to expand...

It doesn't matter what system you have. You can dual-boot your computer in 20-40 minutes:


1) download this - https://unetbootin.github.io/
2) and this - https://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=276
3) load 2) onto a USB with 1)
4) restart and boot from the USB - this may happen automatically or you may need a press a key, like F8, to start
5) once booted onto the USB click "Install"
6) follow the steps - it's best to enable WiFi

Your system should be ready with all hardware drivers and basic software, e.g. browser, email client, office.

I can see no reason to remain on Window. Ubuntu and its derivatives are more user-friendly and you need to reinstall Windows about once a year due to viruses and fragmentation. No virus or fragmentation on Linux.
 
A

andy dufresne

Pelican
Other Christian
TrifeLife said:
I am interested in making the switch. I use a chromebook now and honestly I do really like it, I've had the same one for 6 years and it still works pretty well. I'm able to get by just using a browser as I don't do anything hardware dependent like video editing.

To linux users, what kind of device do you recommend. I know you can boot linux from basically any computer, but wondering if it's recommended to get one that is built specifically for linux. Privacy is my main concern, I want to distance myself from big tech as much as possible.
Click to expand...
Macbook Airs/Pros make amazing portable Linux machines. Highly recommended.
 
Lionheart

Lionheart

 
Banned
TrifeLife said:
I am interested in making the switch. I use a chromebook now and honestly I do really like it, I've had the same one for 6 years and it still works pretty well. I'm able to get by just using a browser as I don't do anything hardware dependent like video editing.

To linux users, what kind of device do you recommend. I know you can boot linux from basically any computer, but wondering if it's recommended to get one that is built specifically for linux. Privacy is my main concern, I want to distance myself from big tech as much as possible.
Click to expand...
I had Linux before I had my Chromebook and would never go back. Chromebook eliminates the problems with Windows and you don't have to do anything. Linux was a pain for me.
 
J

Justin C

Pigeon
TrifeLife said:
I agree, the convenience is great. I just hate google...
Click to expand...
I think you can install linux on chromebooks.

This is basically the "chromebook" for linux;
pine64.com

11.6" PINEBOOK LINUX LAPTOP [Reserved for "Reduce Digital Gap campaign"] - PINE STORE

CPU: 1.2GHz 64-Bit Quad-Core ARM Cortex A53 RAM: 2 GB LPDDR3 RAM Memory Flash: 16 GB eMMC 5.0 (upgradable up to 64GB) Wireless: WiFi 802.11bgn + Bluetooth 4.0 USB 2.0 Port: 2 MicroSD Card Slot: 1 Mini Digital Video Port: 1 Headphone Jack: 1 Microphone: Built-in Keyboard: Full Size Keyboard...
pine64.com pine64.com

I personally got a refurbrished T60 Thinkpad because their keyboards are the best, none of that chiclet keyboard crap for me. Thinkpads are also perfect for hardware repairing and fixing a broken module yourself. It's all easily accessible.
 
Grow Bag

Grow Bag

Pelican
Catholic
Justin C said:
I think you can install linux on chromebooks.

This is basically the "chromebook" for linux;
pine64.com

11.6" PINEBOOK LINUX LAPTOP [Reserved for "Reduce Digital Gap campaign"] - PINE STORE

CPU: 1.2GHz 64-Bit Quad-Core ARM Cortex A53 RAM: 2 GB LPDDR3 RAM Memory Flash: 16 GB eMMC 5.0 (upgradable up to 64GB) Wireless: WiFi 802.11bgn + Bluetooth 4.0 USB 2.0 Port: 2 MicroSD Card Slot: 1 Mini Digital Video Port: 1 Headphone Jack: 1 Microphone: Built-in Keyboard: Full Size Keyboard...
pine64.com pine64.com

I personally got a refurbrished T60 Thinkpad because their keyboards are the best, none of that chiclet keyboard crap for me. Thinkpads are also perfect for hardware repairing and fixing a broken module yourself. It's all easily accessible.
Click to expand...
I'll second this. You can get a used Thinkpad for the less money you'd pay for a Chromebook or cheap laptop. I have an X201 with an Intel i5 cpu and it's solid, well built laptop and has the best keyboard I've ever used. I run as a dual boot with Win7 and Linux Mint. I only have Win7 for certain programs and rarely boot it. I switched to Linux 15 years ago and have never looked back. I've used a number of different distros and found Mint and Ubuntu Mate the best fit for me. There's a bit of learning curve with Linux, but once you get the hang of it it's a doddle.
 
Bird

Bird

Pelican
Catholic
I want to buy a PinePhone soon, because I don't really trust Apple and Android.
With Linux you simply have more control over your data and are more free in choosing the software.


Grow Bag said:
I switched to Linux 15 years ago and have never looked back. I've used a number of different distros and found Mint and Ubuntu Mate the best fit for me. There's a bit of learning curve with Linux, but once you get the hang of it it's a doddle.
Click to expand...

I switched from WinXP to Linux Mint 4 years ago, which is based on Ubuntu and also accepts Debian packages. The knowledge is constantly evolving and it is fun to work with a stable system.

Currently I am trying to use the TOR network without a TOR browser. More about this later in the TOR thread.
I'm trying to fix what is mentioned in the OP.
 
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typtre

typtre

Woodpecker
Non-Christian
andy dufresne said:
I've almost migrated every machine I own to Kubuntu except my gaming rig.

Windows is just one big piece of spyware.
Click to expand...

Yup...
It's such a shame Linux is ungameable.
It's the only reason I still bother with Windows.

I used this for it though, because the spy shit was getting ridiculous with Win10, like what Jünger posted above.
Occasionally I get a little icon in the tray saying windows isn't up to date but other than that I think Win Update is completely blocked and non-functioning.

github.com

GitHub - wuseman/wloader: Windows 10 PRO Activator - No more backdoors via loaders from China and neither you will need any crack anymore that is valid for a week or two. This is script is written for powershell/cmd. This script will also removing al

Windows 10 PRO Activator - No more backdoors via loaders from China and neither you will need any crack anymore that is valid for a week or two. This is script is written for powershell/cmd. This s...
github.com github.com
 
Pilgrim

Pilgrim

Pigeon
Other Christian
Running Linux live from a USB stick is probably the easiest way for a newcomer to dip a toe in the water. ...Just download a live ISO (e.g. Ubuntu, Mint, Debian, etc.) and write it to the stick with the relevant utility.

Linux will also run happily on older machines, so if you're nervous about installing it on your "best machine" and dual-booting it with your Windows installation, then just pick up a second-hand computer on eBay. (Though avoid machines which have a 32-bit UEFI and a 64-bit processor: Linux can be installed on them, but in my experience it is a headache!)

As for dual-booting, I have done countless dual-boot installations and have never had any real problems. (The clock's usually an hour out in Windows when the hardware clock is set to GMT --- the norm in Linux --- but this is easily corrected by a quick registry tweak.) And with modern non-destructive partitioning tools, partitions can be quickly and easily resized with the data still on them: a far cry from the days when I began, when partitions had to be backed up, then deleted, new partitions created, and Windows reinstalled, before Linux could be installed. One can now install Linux to dual-boot with Windows in just half an hour or so.

I made the switch to Linux over twenty years ago and have never looked back. I don't miss Windows at all.
 
B

ballpointpen

Pigeon
Orthodox
typtre said:
Yup...
It's such a shame Linux is ungameable.
It's the only reason I still bother with Windows.
Click to expand...

The status of gaming on Linux improved considerably in the last 12 to 18 months. You should have a look at https://www.protondb.com/ for a list of games that, while only having Windows ports, are playable on Linux. Also, have a look at the following video, which should give you a primer on the matter (even if it's a little bit outdated at the moment)



I've been a full time Linux user since.. 2007? I think. At the time, Arch still only had their i686 builds. Also an Arch user since that time, and haven't really found a reason to change distros. Linux nowadays is really much more pleasant to use. Recently switched both my parents to Linux (Manjaro on both cases), and they've adapted relatively well. Helps that I was around to guide them a few of the stumbling blocks, but it was mostly painless to setup the systems to their whims. The only major problem is the lack of Office: Libreoffice is ok, but still doesn't compare and has annoying bugs every once in a while. Thinking about buying an Office 365 subscription for them so that they can use MS Office on their browser.
 
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