Sell me on Linux please!

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Linkdead_

Sell me on Linux please!

Post by Linkdead_ »

Let me start off with some quick background before getting into my question. I have been a windows user for a long time. I gave Ubuntu a shot many years ago, but never got in to it. I had a Mac for a bit, again, didn't give it much of a shot. I know windows well, but I am just getting tired of it. I am tired of dealing with the plethora of errors and crashes windows users find. I am sick of paying for anti virus software to keep the baddies out of my computer. I am sick of paying for third rate software (though I have gotten more into open source stuff the last year.) All in all, I'm just getting sick of windows so I have decided to give Linux another try, and a better one this time. Over the last year or two I have started getting into programming as a hobby. I have mainly stuck with Lua and am now diving in to teaching myself C++, and I have heard Linux is a great environment for that too. I will still be dual booting windows because I have a couple games that I play with buddies a couple times a week that do not have a Linux client, like Playerunknowns Batttlegrounds, but I am looking to migrate away from windows for the rest of my activity. As kind of a side note, I am a bit of a technophile, I love learning new things and a complicated new OS is not a frightening idea.

So now the question I have for the community, as a whole. Veterans, why am I going to like Linux over Windows? Better yet, what does Linux offer me over windows? What are the things I should start researching and figuring out to get a solid background in the OS? And for any fellow newbies or those graduating to intermediate users, what has your experience been like so far? What are the things you wished someone had told you in the beginning? I guess what I am looking for are opinions, suggestions, and comments about Linux and what I can and should do with it. I am hoping this is something for me and I can start migrating further and further away from windows.

Thanks,
LD
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ugly
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Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by ugly »

Sounds like you're switching for some of the reasons I did, and I also occasionally dual-boot Windows for gaming (and to use my Blu-ray player).

I think the best advice is to dive in. Make sure your Windows partition is safe so you don't have to worry about messing anything up (I have one SSD for Win10 and one SSD for Mint and just use my BIOS to select the boot device).

I read a couple things and I even did one of those online courses on Linux a while back (before I started using it regularly). I'm not sure if it helped very much. You kind of have to start playing around with it, and do things to learn. Struggle through something and then eventually figure it out.

I know I tested out Linux a few times and then gave up and went back to Windows. I just gave up too easily when something was a little bit difficult. So, try to use Linux with the mindset that you do want to make it your primary OS. Don't just jump back to Windows whenever you run into a problem. Try to use Windows as little as possible from here on out.

I think Mint is a good place to start. Interface-wise, it feels familiar when you come from Windows.

For me, one thing that was strange compared to Windows, was how everything is installed. In Windows, I would store everything in D:\Programs or something. In Linux, you don't really have that centralized install location.

Dealing with permissions is kind of strange at first too. Permissions is probably one thing that might be helpful to read up on.

Of course, one hard part is finding replacements for all the software you liked on Windows. Maybe what you like is multi-platform so the transition isn't as difficult. But you have to spend some time exploring the different options.

Get comfortable using the command line. At first it seems ridiculous typing out all different types of commands, but it is very powerful. Especially to automate things. For example, with Windows I would also use Acronis to make images in case disaster struck. With Mint, all I need to do is make a bash script with all the programs I like. So if I ever need to do a clean install, I just run my script, and everything will re-install by itself. Every time I need to do some tweak, I add it to a script so I can automate it next time.

I'd make a lot of notes as you do things. You will need to research some issues that you will run into. Make notes on what you needed to do, because very often it happens that you won't remember how to do something again. It's much easier to have an easy to find reference in case you need to do something similar again.
Last edited by ugly on Wed Dec 27, 2017 2:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by phd21 »

Hi "Linkdead_",

why choose linux over windows
https://www.google.com/search?source=hp ... 5fjD5iyNTw


FYI "ugly": You should be able to use a blu-ray player in Linux as well.

Hope this helps ...
Phd21: Mint 20 Cinnamon & xKDE (Mint Xfce + Kubuntu KDE) & KDE Neon 64-bit (new based on Ubuntu 20.04) Awesome OS's, Dell Inspiron I5 7000 (7573) 2 in 1 touch screen, Dell OptiPlex 780 Core2Duo E8400 3GHz,4gb Ram, Intel 4 Graphics.
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Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by keithrbau »

That's a fair bit, but you have made a start by using some open source software already. I take it you understand the benefits of software being constantly reviewed and improved.

I needed a laptop, and wouldn't have Win; better-half wouldn't have linux at that time, so bought a macbook. I had it dual booting linux within a few weeks.

Like you, I have looked at Ubuntu, but something doesn't quite jell. Says he who is playing with bunt 18.04 at present. I live dangerously sometimes.

Mint has fixed those odd bits. I happily suggest Mint to people I meet who want to try something better. Everything a regular user wants is installed from scratch. Specialist stuff is a search of the www away.

If you want to give it a serious try, drag out that Mac and check it is working. Purely to see how easy things are, download Mint 18.2 onto the mac, write it to a usb, boot up the mac using the usb and see if you like. osx has the ability to write the .iso to usb. See: https://superuser.com/questions/63654/h ... s-x#226148


From memory, hold the 'option' key to choose the boot usb. I always needed to install an additional driver for the wifi. It's easy enough, and I didn't need to reboot for it to activate - despite the suggestion you do.

If you like what you see, dive back to osx, and shrink the partition - disk manager app. If you're not planning to use osx, create as much blank space as osx will allow. Re-boot mint and run the installer. on the partitipning screen you'll get an option to use free space, as against take over whole disk. Be CAREFUL. I have not seen an instance where mint did this wrong, during perhaps 6 fresh installs. When you reboot into mint and are connected to the net for several minutes, you should see an icon near the far end of the toolbar from the apps (start) menu button, suggesting that you upgrade. Now this is why I suggested mint 18.2, so you'll see how easy it all is.

This link will help from here: https://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/2

You wil notice that you can continue using your system while the upgrade is installing, and when you reboot the upgrade, the reboot will look just the same as your earlier boots.


Which version of Mint? I prefer Mate, but Cinnamon isn't much heavier. As an indication, I had 5G RAM (don't ask) and I could run virtual machines at native speed. I don't like 1G RAM, but it is viable.

First app to install is autokey. I have found the -qt version works better in Mate or Cinnamon. It expands 3 or 4 letters to phrases, addresses etc. I imagine this will help a lot for coding - repetitive lines of code?

You've probably had other responses while I typed this.

I don't code, so can't confirm how good linux is, beyond the fact that all thecoders who create it and probably most of the apps, will being using linux.


Good luck. And let us know how you're going.
Keith Bainbridge from Oz

Mint user for several years. Incourageable player (breaker?)
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Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by jimallyn »

Welcome to the Linux Mint forums, Linkdead_! I started using Linux in 2002, and loved it immediately. For me, it is just easier to use than Windows. And the fact that in the 15 years I have been using Linux I have never got any virus or malware (nor has anybody I know) is nice, too. About 2 years ago, my brother Dave (finally) asked me to install Linux on his computer, which I did. A few weeks went by, and his wife thanked me profusely, because "now I don't have to listen to Dave yell at the computer." She is also using Linux now, and I just installed Linux on her daughter's laptop.

It happens on a near daily basis that somebody joins the forums and posts that they got sick of Windows, have now installed Linux, and wish they had switched to Linux years ago. After a while, I decided to start saving some of these posts in a file I have named "Linux Success Stories." That file is now up to 31 pages. A few stories from that file:

"Just installed Mint 18 on a 9 year old compaq presario F700. I haven't used this laptop in 6 years. It had Windows Vista still installed on it. After cleaning the dust off of it the Mint installation was effortless. This laptop is performing better than it did out of the box back in 2007."

...

My wife, in a rush to teach a student private English here, needed a laptop to play some media material from her flash disk. So she grabbed my old, tiny Atom running Mint Linux KDE edition with my permission. Bear in mind that my wife is absolutely NOT technical! Practical, yes, but not techie.

She came back holding the little black machine.
"Linux…" She said, in shock, "...it's so easy to use."
"Yup." I said.
"It's so fast!" She added.
"Yup." I said.
"It's so nice to use."
"Yup." I said.
"It's mine."
By which she meant the Atom running Mint Linux and I have never got it back.

...

“I do Android Development. I used windows for the first two years for said development. I switched (back, since I have used Linux before) to Linux and EVERYTHING is easier, faster and more robust. Particularly running the Android Virtual Devices.

Now I have to plug my nose and wear a rubber suit in order to work on a windows machine.”

...

I have done lots of "conversions" to Mint 17 in my area. I usually use Mate as it's most like what their used to with XP / Vista / 7.

I offer the following service = "If you are not happy with it after a few days, I can put your original full Windows version back on from the [full image] backup I made before putting Linux on". I have never yet had anyone say "well thanks, but no thanks, please put my original Windows build back on"
(though a couple have lamented the lack of ability to use iTunes).

In the last fortnight I have done two very similar jobs, both involved folks buying new "all in one" PC's, one had Windows 8.2 on, the other had 10 on it. Both customers were so frustrated with the experience they asked me to tutor them on these new OS's, (as they both had upgraded from old XP machines). I did not offer to tutor them in using their new Windows, I did the usual, made a full (CloneZilla) image, "just in case" and installed LM17.2 (64 bit). Both customers were absolutely delighted

I often get asked after performing this type of service "Why on earth do folks put up with Windows, why doesn't everyone use this?"

...

“Another success story. A lady, in her 70.s I guess, asked me if her old Dell tower PC was any use, or should she bin it and buy a new one. I looked at it in my workshop (= spare bedroom), maxed it out on RAM, fitted a half decent agp graphics card I had in my spares box (it was running of modest on-board graphics). I put LM17 (32 bit) on it and it performed fine, even BBC iPlayer and YouTube worked just fine. I took it back. The lady was not there, her husband was though, so I set it up and asked him if he would like a quick demo, "no" he said, "I never use computers, can't abide them". So I left basic instructions on paper re logging on and switching off etc. I went back a week later to check the lady was getting on OK, and to get paid. When I got there, the husband (who can't abide computers) was watching a Banjo performance on YouTube. I said jokingly "I thought you never used computers" and he replied "I never used to, but this one is so fast and so easy to use" The lady told me that she can hardly get him off it now She was very happy that she didn't have to fork out for a new one too.

A Linux computer is like a washing machine, you turn it on, do what you want, then turn it off. You don't need to know all about how a washing machine works inside to wash your cloths. With Linux, the end user doesn't need to know about hardware or software to use the Internet etc.”

...

"Welcome to the refugee club that keeps growing a lot lately I've been using Linux for 2 years now and around a year ago I ditched all Windows partitions from all computers in the house due to the frustrations of Windows 10 and it was one of the best decisions that I've ever made. I've found open-source replacement for everything that I use day-to-day and I also do gaming thx to Valve and their great open approach towards PC gaming! Linux as the platform is definitely ready to take off on the desktop and all people that I've brought to Linux are extremely happy with it which only proves exactly that! And there is no community like Linux mint forums community!"

...

Hello OP and everyone else. Just a few words to introduce myself. I too just installed Linux Mint about 3 days ago. My Windows 10 simply became so intrusive that I'd had enough. Aside from that, my Windows 10 Insider fast track version was about to disable itself- demanding restarts every three hours effectively forcing me to buy a new copy of Windows 10 or find an alternative OS.
I Googled the best desktop Linux distro for newbies and Linux Mint 18 was what I came up with. Having tried various Linux releases over the past decade, I was thrilled to find this version so easy to get up and running. Quite beautiful. It's a pleasure to introduce myself to all of you. Sign me, "Done with Windows"

...

Dear Microsoft:

About a year ago I finally quit windows for good. I have been running Ubuntu Linux on my personal laptop and am glad I can tweak it to my specifications without a lot of trouble. And the best thing is that I don't have to pay a dime for overpriced poorly coded software that I can't modify if I need to. I don't need Ubuntu's permission to install it or even have to register it and I certainly don't have to activate it.

So I am writing this to inform you that I am over you for good and will not be missing you anytime soon.

Sincerely,

A recovering windows user

...

And a few more that didn't come from the Mint forums:

“When we rolled into Baghdad, we did it using open source. It may come as a surprise to many of you, but the U.S. Army is 'the' single largest install base for Red Hat Linux. I'm their largest customer.” - Brigadier General Nick Justice

...

“We migrated key functions from Windows to Linux because we needed an operating system that was stable and reliable - one that would give us in-house control.” - Keith Chuvala, NASA Space Operations Computing manager.

...

“The easiest way to describe the infrastructure at Facebook is that it's pretty much all Linux.” - Chris Mason, member of Facebook’s Linux kernel team.

...

“In the past, Virgin’s IT stack was Microsoft-based because it was the easy choice. ...To get Virgin America executives to allow us to migrate to open source, I didn’t run around wearing an ‘I Love Penguins’ shirt, I built the business case based on TCO of open source vs. proprietary software.” - Ravi Simhambhatla, CIO, Virgin America

...

Want more? There's plenty more where that came from! Oh, a couple more things: all the computers aboard the International Space Station run Linux. And, there is a group that publishes a list twice a year of the 500 fastest supercomputers in the world. All 500 on the most recent list run Linux.
“If the government were coming for your TVs and cars, then you'd be upset. But, as it is, they're only coming for your sons.” - Daniel Berrigan
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Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by Moem »

I'm not going to try to sell you on Linux. I don't believe in convincing people to switch to a different OS. Either they get convinced by what they see, or they don't.
Try Linux Mint and see if that sells you on Linux. If not, then maybe it's just not what you want. But many people find that Mint sells itself.

Linux Mint works very well for me; I set up a dual boot two years ago, and used Win7 once or twice after that. Now I don't have Windows anymore because it was just sitting there using disk space. I feel that I'm better off without it. I feel a lot more in charge of my computer now.

As for your question about getting a solid background, and what to research...
Nothing. Just try it out, and see how you like it. If you don't like it, there's no reason to explore further, is there? You don't need any research, or a solid background, to get started.
I certainly had nothing of the kind. I typed 'linux for beginners' into my search engine of choice, read three of the results, and knew that Mint was the one to try. Impulsive? Maybe. But it hasn't steered me wrong.
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Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by Jim Hauser »

4 years. No virus or malware problems. Not using antivirus or malware scanners. Computer runs 24/7. Linux Mint works.

I only run Windows in Virtual Box for a few favorite games and some Fractal software.

It might take a bit of learning for some people, myself included, but after 4 years with no serious problems I am sold! :-)
DAMIEN1307

Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by DAMIEN1307 »

hi linkdead...im not going to try to "sell" you on Linux OSes at all...just try it for yourself...if you have already been performing like a well trained poodle, jumping through flaming hoops of win 10 updates borking the system every month and have had the know how to fix their failures over the next several days thereafter, you are going to find Linux incredibly easy and just naturally intuitive to use...for me personnally, i didnt even keep the "training wheels of windows 10" on the system...i went in all or nothing and found it really just that easy...enjoy...DAMIEN
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Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by AndyMH »

Why?
  • Because I can do almost everything I need to do in linux.
    What I can't do in linux (which isn't much), I can do with a virtual machine (virtualbox) running win7. When I first started I was dual boot with win7 but dumped than in favour of VB as my confidence in linux grew.
    It's faster on the same hardware than any version of win.
    It's stable and once through any teething problems, it doesn't break.
    It's customisable.
    It's free, but then again, so good that I have donated to linux mint (worth every penny).
    I don't worry about viruses.
    I like to tinker, so access to the terminal with a vast array of command line utilities is great.
And you are joining a community of generally like-minded people, with a huge array of expertise, who are more than happy to help sort your problems (and some of mine have been quite arcane). First dabbled with linux in the early 2000's (Xandros - Canadian, sadly no longer with us, at its time excellent). Came back a couple of years ago, tried a few distros, settled on Mint as the best.
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MintBean

Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by MintBean »

Doesn't sound like Linux is for you, OP. If not having to deal with all the issues you list at the top of your post isn't a seriously powerful selling point, I doubt we'll be able to convince you.

If you still want to try, as others have said, install Mint and use it. Let your learning be driven by using the system and encountering and overcoming any issues you encounter. This is the best way by far.

Let me give you a couple of reasons you might not want to use Linux:
1) If lack of compatibility with that 10 year old printer you use with Windows is a show stopper.
2) If you're invested in Apple - iPhone and iPad can usually be made to play with Linux but the functionality is regularly flaky or broken due to Apple updates. Likewise if you're invested in iTunes and nothing else will do, forget Linux.
Linkdead_

Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by Linkdead_ »

Great replies, I love the info. This is my third day messing around with Mint and I to be honest I like it. I know it is a bit early to get any decisive opinion, but it feels good and going two full days without anything crashing on me is a miracle! I look forward to learning more and getting involved in this community! Thank you all again.

LD
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Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by coffee412 »

Today I am going to drive 1.5 hours to go get a Windows SBS back up and running. The desktop has crashed and just loads a blue screen. That alone should convince you to use linux. Had it been a linux box I would have just ssh'd in and fixed the issue (if any).

Aside from that you will find that linux issues are a lot easier to diagnose than those stupid windows errors.

It will change your life. Women will envy you. Men will want to be you - lol.

I passionately hate windows with all my heart.
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Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by NChewie »

MintBean wrote:
Let me give you a couple of reasons you might not want to use Linux:
1) If lack of compatibility with that 10 year old printer you use with Windows is a show stopper.
In my case, just the reverse... my HP 1010 printer (manufactured September 2003) was not supported in Windows7, but was supported in Mint 13 onwards. I am still happily using it, along with the Epson Perfection 610 scanner (manufactured 2002). :D
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Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by Petermint »

20 years of Windows use. No antivirus or malware scanners. No virus or malware problems. All I did was not switch on the email or browser options to automatically execute attached viruses.

What stopped me using Windows and all other Microsoft software was their ongoing program to make everything Microsoft incompatible and uninstallable, the exact opposite of what attracted people to Microsoft products in the first place. Apple products are incompatible. Linux is compatible and installable. It is Microsoft's fault.
Mac291

Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by Mac291 »

As a reply to your title let me say that I've read over the years that as soon as MS has a new OS to sell they push out updates that slow your system, inducing people to upgrade, and I believe it. This company is shady.

Another reason is that now everyone is going to a rolling updates/yearly fee model. I believe this is mainly to smooth out earning, not to 'help' users. If MS ever try to sock regular users w/periodic subscription fees, like enterprise folks, there could be a revolt. That will never happen w/Mint and linux. Lastly, behavior like auto upgrading people to 10 w/o their consent - like MS did - will not happen under Mint.

It's also much more stable, resource friendly, like hard drive organization, free to install on multiple systems, and virus free, AFAIK. Considering the privacy issues alone I'm willing to learn 20 commands and a new paradigm and go on from there. Heck I'm not much of a gamer but I look forward to gaming on linux, as well as using virtualization.

As a noob I gotta add the install pages explaining verification etc. could use some work. After hours of reading multiple explanations, and accompanying links I finally found that sha256sum.exe doesn't create the .txt and .gpg files, that I already had a sum to check (via using the .exe), and that those two files 'found at the same place as' the .ios meant you cannot find a link to the mirror site you chose, you need to hover on that mirror link and read the directory listing in the lower left corner of your browser. Would've saved hours had someone more clearly spelled that out. Ah well, more frustration awaits as a noob.

Lastly, although this is a month old, just had to ad to it b/c I enjoy throwing that 1st paragraph out there.


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Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by whm1974 »

One big advantage of Linux is that unlike Windows, it doesn't slow down with usage over time.You also have a choice of GUI you want to use as well.
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Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by Arch_Enemy »

Linkdead_ wrote:Let me start off with some quick background before getting into my question. I have been a windows user for a long time. I gave Ubuntu a shot many years ago, but never got in to it. I had a Mac for a bit, again, didn't give it much of a shot. I know windows well, but I am just getting tired of it. I am tired of dealing with the plethora of errors and crashes windows users find. I am sick of paying for anti virus software to keep the baddies out of my computer. I am sick of paying for third rate software (though I have gotten more into open source stuff the last year.) All in all, I'm just getting sick of windows so I have decided to give Linux another try, and a better one this time. Over the last year or two I have started getting into programming as a hobby. I have mainly stuck with Lua and am now diving in to teaching myself C++, and I have heard Linux is a great environment for that too. I will still be dual booting windows because I have a couple games that I play with buddies a couple times a week that do not have a Linux client, like Playerunknowns Batttlegrounds, but I am looking to migrate away from windows for the rest of my activity. As kind of a side note, I am a bit of a technophile, I love learning new things and a complicated new OS is not a frightening idea.

So now the question I have for the community, as a whole. Veterans, why am I going to like Linux over Windows? Better yet, what does Linux offer me over windows? What are the things I should start researching and figuring out to get a solid background in the OS? And for any fellow newbies or those graduating to intermediate users, what has your experience been like so far? What are the things you wished someone had told you in the beginning? I guess what I am looking for are opinions, suggestions, and comments about Linux and what I can and should do with it. I am hoping this is something for me and I can start migrating further and further away from windows.

Thanks,
LD
Depends what you do with your computer.

Obviously, running Windows apps isn't going to be a lot of fun; you can run Windows in a Virtual Machine but may or may not have access to printers, etc. You can try using WINE to run Windows apps. some do, some don't. "Social Media" works OK, you may or may not have issues with video and other multimedia. Linux is catching up, but is still behind Windows in handling media sometimes. At least Adobe has brought back Flash for Linux...

I still find there are a few things Windows is better for, because it's a Windows world. A lot of places accommodate those of us who use something else, some don't. I can't see a darned thing on Ace Hardware's website, and some others as well. I had to jump through hoops to get a couple of my Canon printers to work with Linux, but my magnificent Canon Pro-100 still only likes printing photos correctly in Windows (HINT: If you plan on doing a lot of printing, especially photos, DON'T GET A CANON!)

For about everything else, Linux works just fine. Best thing to do is to get a second HDD, since dual booting can present it's own set of issues and set up your bios to select which drive to boot from when you start your system. Not quite so easy if you use a laptop, however...

I did have an issue with Libre Office opening certain DOCX or Excel files, but that has been corrected in later versions.

Mint is certainly one of the best for compatibility with the Windows world, however.
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One thing I would suggest, create a partition as a 50G partition as /. Partition the rest as /Home. IF the system fails, reinstall and use the exact same username and all your 'stuff' comes back to you.
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Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by Petermint »

One option is to keep Windows and replace the proprietary applications with open source applications. You have to stick with real Windows, XP, 7, or 8.1, not the plastic versions with the useless user interfaces.

NTFS proved itself to be way ahead of Ext3. Ext4 matches NTFS and adds only larger file sizes for people who want to record 18 hours of 8K video in one file.

Suggestions that Microsoft does an Apple type of artificial slowdown are based on Microsoft replacing real code with Java. Microsoft used the name .NET for their improved Java. Microsoft did make Java 20 times faster but than only reduced the processor requirements from 800 Xeon chips to 40 Xeon chips. .NET updates went something like:
Update.
Reboot from crash.
Reboot from crash.
Reboot from crash.
Reinstall Windows.
Ban that update.
jglen490

Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by jglen490 »

Linkdead_ wrote:Let me start off with some quick background before getting into my question. I have been a windows user for a long time. I gave Ubuntu a shot many years ago, but never got in to it. I had a Mac for a bit, again, didn't give it much of a shot. I know windows well, but I am just getting tired of it. I am tired of dealing with the plethora of errors and crashes windows users find. I am sick of paying for anti virus software to keep the baddies out of my computer. I am sick of paying for third rate software (though I have gotten more into open source stuff the last year.) All in all, I'm just getting sick of windows so I have decided to give Linux another try, and a better one this time. Over the last year or two I have started getting into programming as a hobby. I have mainly stuck with Lua and am now diving in to teaching myself C++, and I have heard Linux is a great environment for that too. I will still be dual booting windows because I have a couple games that I play with buddies a couple times a week that do not have a Linux client, like Playerunknowns Batttlegrounds, but I am looking to migrate away from windows for the rest of my activity. As kind of a side note, I am a bit of a technophile, I love learning new things and a complicated new OS is not a frightening idea.

So now the question I have for the community, as a whole. Veterans, why am I going to like Linux over Windows? Better yet, what does Linux offer me over windows? What are the things I should start researching and figuring out to get a solid background in the OS? And for any fellow newbies or those graduating to intermediate users, what has your experience been like so far? What are the things you wished someone had told you in the beginning? I guess what I am looking for are opinions, suggestions, and comments about Linux and what I can and should do with it. I am hoping this is something for me and I can start migrating further and further away from windows.

Thanks,
LD
Quite frankly, if you need to be sold, you are not willing to take it on.

If you want to, try it, then decide for yourself. Dual boot if you want, eventually you'll see that you won't need to.

I use Windows at work, and I enjoy the paycheck. I use Linux at home, and everybody knows it, because I enjoy the experience and the usefulness of Linux.
ghoultek
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Re: Sell me on Linux please!

Post by ghoultek »

@Linkdead_:
Welcome to the Linux Mint community. There really isn't much selling to do. Personally, I don't like apple. I was long time Microsoftie for work reasons and dual-boot dabbled for quite a bit with Linux. However, after one witnesses:
- the crippling of Windows XP via a single update (wow I paid for that and they just destroyed it)
- the awful UI in windows 8 (hell no I aint putting that thing on my rig)
- the windows update that brings down the GWX.EXE (get windows 10) nag-ware break 3 working legit installations of Windows 7 (W.T.F !!)
- the release of the windows 10 (spyware masquerading as an OS)
- the blatant disregard for end-users and their settings on Windows 10
... there isn't much selling needed.

I built a new Ryzen 7 1700X PC over the Dec 2017 holiday season. Microsoft announced that they would not support new Ryzen hardware on Windows 7 despite the earlier announcement for extended support through Jan. 2020. I was going to dual boot, but my response to M$ is "Bye Felicia". I'm not a cash cow. I don't moooo. There are so many distros and so much to learn/discover. People are nice and welcoming here in the Mint forums and the Mint IRC chat.

I still dual-boot Win 7 on my old PC to play a few Blizzard games (D3-RoS and SC-LotV), but I haven't purchased a Windows software product beyond those. I've made it a point to only purchase Steam games that have native Linux versions. If they don't support Linux, they don't get my $$$. Thankfully, there are many high quality titles ported to Linux and many more are coming to Linux. Once I'm truly comfortable with WINE/Play-On-Linux I'll use that option to access the Blizzard games. The only think I miss on Windows 7 is the specific taskbar customizations I had and my extensive toolbar usage.
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