Abandoning Windows for Dummies

[retic1959]

I bought a new computer that came with Win 10 on it. So, I didn't have a choice. After a few weeks (and an automatic/forced upgrade), I decided I'd had it.

I downloaded Linux Mint and wiped out Win 10. Very easy. Linux nowadays is really easy.

Feels good to not have to worry about viruses or spyware anymore , don't it ?

the message there should concern everyone
Im one of micky soft insider testers
There is no way to make windows 10 secure if you want to use the programs included
Many of the programs need access to your microphone and camera to work

A techy can go into the registry and make it secure but it messes up a lot of other programs

I have been running linux for almost 10 years and the only semi problems are many programs are not the newest updateable and many games wont play on linux

Other than that even a newbie linux user can have an easy time switching over

Linux Mint is one of the easies there are others more complicated but but with more advanced programs for use

I chose Linux Mint because of it's support for older computers on the earlier versions and the fact that it maintains it's Kernel and graphical stack by default when upgrading , the fact that it's easy is a welcome bonus too .

 

[retic1959]

Back when Windows XP Pro was supported I loved it. Then, they "improved" it and named it Vista, then they started calling Windows other things, and it took on a totally foreign look I didn't like at all and it didn't work the same at all, and all the hackers cut their teeth on it. I can't tell you how many times I got hacked and had my system crashed with Windows by malicious script-kiddies.

I just got a Mac, and left all that behind. Years later I'm still happy with my Mac and on my 3rd one. No hackers, no self-fouling registry, no viruses... yet. I have Malwarebytes and so far the only malware I've gotten was some cloud utility that somehow was snuck onto my system while I was watching a YouTube video. I got rid of it quick. With Windows it was a whole lot worse, really vicious malware and constant hackers.

Yes, abandon Windows, especially if it's part of data mining.

I'm running an older PC which actually sat for years unused , it had Vista on it . After booting it up and downloading updates , and installing antivirus , antimalware , antispyware , and registry cleaner , I found I had picked up 5 pieces of Malware , one Trojan and several hundred tracking cookies during the search and downloading of said software . I saw RED ! Downloaded Linux Mint , ran it for a day alongside of Windows , and said the hell with Windows , reinstalled Linux as my only OS , and I'm done with all the crap that comes with running Windows . If I was to buy a new system it would be a Mac .

 

[Vaslovik]

I'm running an older PC which actually sat for years unused , it had Vista on it . After booting it up and downloading updates , and installing antivirus , antimalware , antispyware , and registry cleaner , I found I had picked up 5 pieces of Malware , one Trojan and several hundred tracking cookies during the search and downloading of said software .

Oh wow! It's even worse than I remember! By all means, if you can, get a Mac. I have a friend who's running Windows 10, and doesn't really know how to cope with it, so I tried to help him out, and found it the most impossible system I've ever keyed anything into. I could not get it to do what he wanted it to no matter what I tried, and what he wanted it to do was entirely reasonable! He has picked up so many trojans and so much malware it would take at least a couple days to get it all out of there. I finally just gave up and told he should have gotten a Mac, and he admitted that he should have, but can't afford it now that he's spent so much on that laptop. Sad...

 

[dave51]

Here are a few links for those new to Linux
Some are very helpful

Security tools
Linux Security Audit and Hacker Software Tools

Bash commands
An A-Z Index of the Bash command line | SS64.com

The Top 50 Proprietary Programs that Drive You Crazy — and Their Open Source Alternatives
The Top 50 Proprietary Programs that Drive You Crazy — and Their Open Source Alternatives

Linux Alternative programs
The Linux Alternative Project

Command line commands
Linux man pages: alphabetic list of all pages


those links should be very helpful for a beginner or intermediate Linux user

 

[DancingHeretik]

Feels good to not have to worry about viruses or spyware anymore , don't it ?

I had Kaspersky. So not such a big deal. I had put off changing over to Linux forever. I never have liked Windows. I never respected the company or its methods. But, I kept putting it off. Being lazy.

But, Win 10 was absolutely intolerable! I no longer had a choice.

And, I love Linux! Nowadays it's so easy and user-friendly. And, I'm finally free!

 

[retic1959]

Oh wow! It's even worse than I remember! By all means, if you can, get a Mac. I have a friend who's running Windows 10, and doesn't really know how to cope with it, so I tried to help him out, and found it the most impossible system I've ever keyed anything into. I could not get it to do what he wanted it to no matter what I tried, and what he wanted it to do was entirely reasonable! He has picked up so many trojans and so much malware it would take at least a couple days to get it all out of there. I finally just gave up and told he should have gotten a Mac, and he admitted that he should have, but can't afford it now that he's spent so much on that laptop. Sad...

Have him install Linux Mint xfce 17.3 , it's an easy install and easy to operate , and it's free . Both Linux and the Mac OS are based on Unix and both are far more resistant to hacking then MS's bloatware . It'll save him a lot of headaches and time .

 

[APF]

Been using Linux for years. I currently use Ubuntu MATE

 

[retic1959]

Been using Linux for years. I currently use Ubuntu MATE

Right now I'm running Linux Mint Cinnamon 18 beta , I usually run XFCE but I'm impressed with this beta version so far .

 

[DancingHeretik]

I'm running Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa XDE Edition.

 

[APF]

Today my wife came to me about removing Win10 from her laptop. She was worried about Linux being too complicated. I said that it was easier than Windows, because she won't get lockups and BSOD. I am looking forward to having Cortana kiss my a** once again.

 

[deviantplatypus]

Linux distros have come a long way over the last few years. They're much better at detecting your hardware and setting things up for you.

If one is coming from a Windows world and don't have a techie mentality, there's a learning curve to deal with. I think it's worth trying and a live cd/usb is a great way to road test it.

I ultimately ended up dual booting. Some things are just a little easier in Windows (playing games I've already purchased, using Office) and others are better on Linux (flashing my phone, browsing the internet with minimal worry of viruses, a little quiche response from my machine). I tend to stay booted in my Linux distro for the most part.

 

[retic1959]

I'm running Linux Mint 17.3 Rosa XDE Edition.

The stable version of 18 should be out next month , you might wanna check it out . Right now I have 17.3 Rosa set up alongside of Beta 18 Sarah and I'm really impressed with the Beta . Cinnamon 18 is running faster than xfce 17.3 on my system , it'll be great once it's sorted out and released in a point version .

 

[retic1959]

Today my wife came to me about removing Win10 from her laptop. She was worried about Linux being too complicated. I said that it was easier than Windows, because she won't get lockups and BSOD. I am looking forward to having Cortana kiss my a** once again.

People are still thinking command line , but you never have to use it now unless you want to .

 

[APF]

People are still thinking command line , but you never have to use it now unless you want to .

Very true. Ubuntu Mate had every driver for my ASUS / Intel board and configured to my UEFI with zero problems. It was the easiest install I have ever seen.

 

[retic1959]

Very true. Ubuntu Mate had every driver for my ASUS / Intel board and configured to my UEFI with zero problems. It was the easiest install I have ever seen.

It's been the same for Linux Mint , which is built from Ubuntu , much faster on the updates than Windows , a lot quicker to get up and running and a helluva lot less headaches than Windows keeping it running .

 

[dave51]

People are still thinking command line , but you never have to use it now unless you want to .

for those afraid of a command line here is a small program to help
It has the major commands and more commands can be added its a one click operation

cli companion

CLI Companion - Incredible Tool to Learn Command Line

 

[dave51]

Here are some other helpful lings for new users


Linux is Confusing. These Articles Should Help

How do I install the ISO on a flashdrive? - Linux Mint Forums

Journey To Ubuntu Phone Planet | Unixmen

HOW TO ADD CRON JOBS IN LINUX AND UNIX | Unixmen


These might help beginners and intermediate users